The Tigers will host ALCS Games 3, 4 and 5 at Comerica Park, where they were 51 – 30 this season. The Red Sox had a 2013 Road Record of 44 – 37. The Tigers remain slight favorites heading into Game #3 – and for the ALCS in general. The Tigers are also 8 – 5 at home in their last 13 Playoff Games from 2011 – now.
We all know what happened in Game 2. Do you need a reminder? His name is David Ortiz.
Alright, that is enough of that.
The series is tied 1-1 as we are now looking at a best-of-5 series. The positive, besides Justin Verlander, is that the next 3 games are in Detroit.
If the Tigers can win 2 of the 3 at home, that’ll give them a 3-2 series lead heading back to Boston with Scherzer and Verlander ready to go for Game 6 and 7.
Seems pretty possible eh?
While Justin Verlander has been lights out during the ALDS Round the last 3 years, (4 – 0 with a 1.79 ERA in 7 GS), he has a 4.32 ERA, in spite of his 3 – 1 record, spanning 25 IP. He is even worse in the World Series – featuring a 7.32 ERA over 15 IP in 2 GS. Having said this, he has been filthy in these playoffs – and is carrying 15 Scoreless Innings versus the Oakland A’s. Take the Ace versus John Lackey in Game #3.
Verlander’s career against Boston has been pretty average. In 11 career starts, he is 3-4 with a 3.63 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, 66 strikeouts, and holding them to a .237 BAA.
His most recent start against them was back on June 23rd where he exited after just 5 innings. The game was a sloppy one overall in case your memory is fogged.
Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava attempted to catch a fly ball but the ball popped out of his glove.
He did appear to make the catch and then lose it on the quick transfer but the Tigers got a favor from umpire Mike DiMuro. Tigers would score 3 runs that inning and wound up winning 7-5, giving Verlander a no-decision.
Verlander gave up 4 runs early, walking 3 and striking out 4. Asked about his performance after the game, “I’ll get back there. I will.” He said, “It’s just, like I said, finding that click, finding that rhythm.”
Good thing for Tigers fans, he is in absolute rhythm now.
In the month of September he had a 2.27 ERA in 6 starts. We all have seen what he’s done in the postseason so no need to show him off.
Alright, let’s show him off –
In 2 starts against Oakland, he gave up 6 hits, walked 2, and struck out 21.
Fans at Comerica Park and fans watching at home know that Game 3 could easily look like the first two games as far as starting pitching goes.
If anyone on the rotation is going to throw a no-hitter this postseason, majority would bet all their chips on Verlander.
Red Sox hitters haven’t had too much success against him, just ask Dustin Pedroia who is 1-for-18 against him – the hit coming this past June.
His biggest threat is the king of Game 2 – Mr. Grand Slam David Ortiz. He is career 10-for-27 with 2 home runs and 4 RBIs against him.
But will he shy away from him and walk him?
Don’t count on it. Verlander hasn’t walked him since 2010 and it wasn’t intentional. In fact, he hasn’t intentionally walked him since 2006.
The 15 Red Sox players that have had an at-bat against him combine for a .194 average, .273 OBP, and 42 strikeouts.
What else can you call that besides domination?
A dictatorship?
Justin Verlander is always in absolute power of the Boston Red Sox.
Rule away JV.
DETROIT — It wasn’t that long ago that Red Sox starter John Lackey took the mound at Comerica Park.
The date was June 20th, 2013 at 7:08pm.
It was the start of a 4-game series in Detroit and the Tigers put Jose Alvarez on the mound while Anibal Sanchez was on the DL.
Lackey pitched a great game incase you can’t recall. He lasted 7 innings and only gave up 2 runs on 7 hits. He was in line for the win until Jhonny Peralta hit a 2-run home run to deep left field. Tigers won 4-3 and Lackey was given a tough no decision.
As for Justin Verlander, this is just another start in the postseason. In 14 playoff games, he is 7-4 with a 3.48 ERA, 98 strike outs, and 28 walks.
To say he has been amazing this postseason is a huge understatement. In 2 starts against Oakland, he has yet to give up a run and has struck out 21.
The only Red Sox hitters who have had any success against him are David Ortiz and Mike Napoli.
It’s hard to bet against Verlander in the first ALCS game in Detroit.
Starting Pitchers: RHP John Lackey (1-0, 6.75 ERA, 6 K, 3 BB) Hitter to Fear: Jhonny Peralta (11 for 31, 1 2B, 4 RBI) Hitter to Fail: Omar Infante (3 for 14, 6 strikeouts)
at
RHP Justin Verlander (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 21 K, 2 BB) Hitter to Fear: David Ortiz (10 for 27, 2 HR, 4 RBI) Hitter to Fail: Dustin Pedroia (1 for 18, 3 K)
David Ortiz has fared well against Verlander in his career. This is nothing new – as the big DH has been the best playoff performer ever out of the DH position. With his Grand Slam the other night, he tied Babe Ruth with 15 Post Season jacks. He is only behind Jeter with 20 (but 734 PA), Albert Pujols 18 (321 AB) and Carlos Beltran 16 (185 AB) on the Active Post Season HR List. —- ELISE AMENDOLA/AP
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***
A big thank-you goes out to Our ‘Tigers Correspondent’Matthew LaFave for preparing today’s featured article.Matthew was born and raised outside of Detroit, Michigan.
Growing up watching all of the Detroit sports with his father he began to enjoy writing about them in high school.
At first started out as e-mails between his father turned into a Detroit Lions blog website titled ‘Hear Me Roar’. Matthew would go on to get a job as ‘Detroit Tigers Writer’ at the website http://www.examiner.com.
He has been writing for them for over two seasons and regularly attends games as a credentialed media member. Be sure to follow him on Twitter Follow @MatthewLafave
Please e-mail me at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. To subscribe to our website and have the Daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.
I practice daily yoga. Most foods are organic. If you catch me in the supermarket, it will be in the produce aisle.
Warrior 1 Yoga was born from my wish to help people be healthy and happy. I preach the 4 key's to life: nutrition, exercise, water and sleep. This is my journey - I am hope to meet you along the way to share a similar path!
Posted on October 15, 2013, in Playoffs, The Rest: Everything Baseball. Bookmark the permalink. Comments Off on Verlander Looks To Dominate Against Pesky Red Sox + Game #3 Lineups + Notes.
MLB Reports 
You must be logged in to post a comment.