Justin Verlander (5-2, 3.55) vs. 
Jeremy Guthrie (4-4, 4.90), 7:05 p.m. EST
The last two nights, the Detroit Tigers have made rookie pitchers named David Hernandez and Brad Bergesen look brilliant. In 13.2 combined innings, Detroit's lineup has scored just three runs. So does this mean Jeremy Guthrie should expect to have a good night? Or might a little bit of familiarity help the Tigers swing the bats with some authority again?
Guthrie was very good in his last start, however, holding the Blue Jays to one run over seven innings. That broke a streak of seven games in which he allowed three runs or more, with a 1-4 record. In four career appearances (one start) against the Tigers, Guthrie is 1-0 with a 4.85 ERA, giving up 17 hits in 13 innings.
As we know, Justin Verlander has been outstanding in his last six starts, going 5-0 with a 0.85 ERA, and striking out eight batters or more in each game. On Memorial Day, he shut out the Royals for seven innings, limiting them to five hits. But when it comes to playing the Orioles, it just comes down to one thing. Can Verlander get Luke Scott out? The two have faced each other only six times, with Scott batting 2-for-6 (.333) with one RBI. But hey, no home runs. And right now, that's saying something.
Over the past two games, it's like the ghost of Babe Ruth has taken over his body (which is entirely possible, since Ruth was born in Balto), compelling him to blast four home runs out of Camden Yards, drive in nine runs, and boast a ridiculous .714/.750/.2.429 average. Hopefully, Scott was blinded by the shaving cream pie he took to the face after last night's game or ate some bad crab cakes in the last 20 hours or so.
Jim Leyland has Curtis Granderson batting fifth once again. Given how the offense has performed in this series so far, maybe it's time to put Grandy back at leadoff. Here are your starters: