Justin Verlander (13-7, 3.29) vs. 
Jered Weaver (13-4, 3.89), 10:05 p.m. EST
Following a disappointing weekend in Oakland in which they lost two of three to the A's, the Tigers travel to Anaheim to take on the team with the second-best record in the American League. Oh, and the series will open with an ESPN telecast. That doesn't usually go so well for the Tigers.
Last time he took the mound for the Angels, Jered Weaver pitched a complete game shutout versus the Indians. That was his third win in his past four starts. In the game he lost, however, Weaver gave up eight runs and nine hits to the Orioles in less than four innings. The Tigers faced Weaver during their previous visit to Anaheim, scoring three runs against him in seven innings. Two of those runs came on two solo homers by Curtis Granderson.
Justin Verlander took a tough loss in his last start, pitching just one bad inning. (You could argue he threw just one bad pitch, grooving a fastball that Ichiro Suzuki slapped out for a home run.) But Verlander still only gave up three runs. That should've been enough to win, if only - everybody join in now - the Tigers' lineup had scored some runs for him.
In two starts against the Angels this season, Verlander had two very different results. The first time he faced them, he gave up seven runs and nine hits in five innings. (Perhaps you remember the look of disbelief on his face as he sat in the dugout afterwards.) The second time around, however, Verlander pitched eight shutout innings, holding the Angels to four hits. So which pitcher will we see tonight?
Clete Thomas is out of tonight's lineup. Read into that what you will, especially since lefties hit .281/.340/.500 against Weaver, with 14 home runs.
Halos Heaven has your SB Nation opposing view for this three-game series.