Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics

Coming into this season, no one really knew what to expect from Justin Verlander. Would they see the 2006 Rookie of the Year and the player that won 16 and 17 games in his first two seasons in the majors or the struggling player looking for answers in the devastating 17-loss 2008 campaign?

Everyone thought they had their answer in the beginning of the season when Verlander (8-3, 3.40) struggled and appeared to be headed for another 2008 season, but he has turned it around and will likely be an All-Star when the squads are announced this weekend.

This will be Verlander’s last chance to impress AL Manager Joe Maddon and he will need to improve on his recent road games if he wants Maddon to pick him for St. Louis. In his last outing, Verlander did not have his best stuff, walking four, allowing three runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings. His pitch count was around 120 when he was removed and Detroit’s bullpen could not hold the 4-3 lead, losing 5-4 as Verlander received a no-decision.

Verlander is 4-0 with a 1.11 ERA in Comerica Park, but just 4-3 with a 4.88 ERA in 10 road starts, but in general the Detroit Tigers (43-34) have not played well on the road lately. They were able to gain a 5-3 victory on Tuesday night, but had lost five of their previous seven on the road and were one pitch away from being swept by the fourth-place Houston Astros over the weekend.

The struggling Oakland Athletics (32-44) will turn to Dallas Braden (5-7, 3.26).

Oakland has lost six of their last seven games and look to avoid losing their third straight series and six of their last seven series overall.

Braden has also been struggling and is without a win since June 5, going 0-2 in four starts despite receiving no run support and posting a 2.84 ERA. Braden took the loss against the Colorado Rockies, 4-2, on Friday, giving up all four runs, two of those earned, over 5 1/3 innings.

Braden faced the Tigers in Detroit and did not fare well either, allowing a season-worst six runs in five innings of a 9-1 loss.

The Detroit Tigers are a majors-best 20-7 in day games.

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