Justin Verlander Pitches Tigers Into ALCS

Detroit Tigers righthander Justin Verlander picked the perfect time for his best pitching performance of the season on October 10th in the decisive fifth game of his team’s Division Series playoff against the Oakland Athletics.  In eight innings, Verlander allowed just two hits and one walk in eight innings of work as Detroit beat the Athletics 3-0 in Oakland.

Verlander put up some pretty good numbers this year including a 13-12 record, with a 3.46 ERA and 217 strikeouts, but his numbers were a little down by his standards which are higher than most; his ERA was his highest since 2008 and his win total was his lowest since that year.  Max Scherzer, this year’s ace of the staff who was 21-3 in the regular season, pitched in relief in Game Four, and was not available for his scheduled Game Five start, so Verlander got the call and came through.

Next up for Detroit is the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox.  The Red Sox and Tigers were ranked first or second in most offensive categories this season and both teams have very solid starting pitching. Detroit took four of seven from Boston in the regular season.  Game One of what should be a great ALCS is in Boston at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on October 12th televised on FOX.