Justin Verlander (0-1, 6.17) vs. 
Gavin Floyd (1-0, 4.50)
Considering the almost inexplicably bad baseball we've seen from the Tigers this season, maybe I shouldn't say that Justin Verlander couldn't possibly pitch worse than he did last Sunday night. He coughed up a career-high nine runs - one of them on his second pitch of the game - and had trouble locating the ball in his 5 2/3 innings. During his short major league career, Verlander hasn't thrown two poor games in a row very often. (Though he hasn't looked that sharp in his first two starts of 2008.)
Oh, by the way, the Tigers are going to need him to pitch deep into the game today, as at least a couple of relievers won't be available with the bullpen having to cover nine innings last night.
Last Saturday in Detroit, Gavin Floyd pitched quite well against every Tiger except Brandon Inge, who hit a double and two-run homer off him. But the home ballpark hasn't been too kind to him. In five starts (and eight overall appearances) at U.S. Cellular Field, Floyd has an 0-3 record and 6.55 ERA. Opposing batters have hit .305 against him and he's given up 10 home runs in 34 1/3 innings.
Short Hops:
- Macay McBride's season is over. The pain in his left elbow that took him out of his first start after one inning was caused by a torn ligament. That means Tommy John surgery is in the young man's future.
- Get those hopes up at your own risk, but Fernando Rodney finished a bullpen session of fastballs and change-ups without feeling any pain.
- The Detroit Tigers Weblog lists three candidates who could replace Dontrelle Willis if he needs to go on the disabled list.