NewsVerlander out to extend strikeout streak
Detroit (21-16) vs. Texas (23-15), 7:05 p.m. ET
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
05/20/09 12:43 AM ET
DETROIT -- Matt Harrison is starting to realize his potential. Justin Verlander has a chance to realize history. At least one pitcher is probably going to be disappointed Wednesday night. "Justin's phenomenal right now," said catcher Gerald Laird, who caught Harrison last year and Verlander this season. "It's something just fun to watch. I'm just glad he's on my team, and I don't have to face him." If Dontrelle Willis was the challenge the Rangers didn't see coming Tuesday, Verlander is the pitcher opponents prepare for as soon as they see the probables. His outings are becoming events every time out, especially when he pitches at Comerica Park, and the statistics are something to marvel at. No longer is his comeback from a disappointing 2008 season much of a question; now it's how long he can keep this up? Not since Mickey Lolich in 1971 had a Tiger struck out double-digit batters in three straight outings. Verlander hit three straight by fanning 13 Twins last Thursday at the Metrodome. If Verlander can do it again Wednesday, he'll extend his streak to four, something no Tigers pitcher has done since at least 1954. He's already the first Major League pitcher in two years to have three straight games with at least 11 strikeouts. Another one, and he'll reach territory only Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling have hit in the past 15 years. He's the only pitcher in the American League with more strikeouts than Zack Greinke, and he can stretch that lead with another strong outing on Wednesday. No Tigers pitcher has led the league in strikeouts since Jack Morris in 1983. Less than a quarter of the way through the schedule, he's already better than a third of the way to what would be just the second 200-strikeout season from a Tigers pitcher since Morris in 1987. Jeremy Bonderman fanned 202 batters in 2006. Verlander normally focuses more on his own game plan than on his opponent. The way he's pitching lately, spotting breaking balls with precision and riding his fastball into the upper 90s on radar guns with ease, no opponent has come up with a good game plan for him in the past month. "From the get-go, I really don't worry about what the opposing hitters are doing or their approach," Verlander said Tuesday, "but I also watch and pay attention. I go out there with my game plan. If I need to tweak it during the game, if I notice things, then I do. I'm going to make them adjust to me before I adjust to them." If he's on, the best hope might be to repeat what the Twins did last time out, make him use so many pitches on strikeouts and deep counts that he's out earlier than hoped, giving way to Detroit's bullpen. And after 122 pitches last time out, Verlander's pitch count could be a concern, even though he says he felt strong coming out of that performance. "I've thrown 80 pitches before and felt achy and horrible the next few days," Verlander said. "This last time, I threw 120 and felt fine. It's how my body responds." He will not be responding to how Harrison pitches, but it'll make for an entertaining matchup. Laird remembers Harrison's potential from his time behind the plate with the Rangers last year. He knew Harrison had the chance to emerge as a quality young pitcher for a Texas squad that needed good arms, though back-to-back complete games and 23 innings of two-run ball over his past three starts might've been a little much to expect. "This kid has good stuff," Laird said of the Tigers' opposing pitcher for Wednesday. "It's getting the confidence of getting it done every day in the big leagues. This year, it looks like he's made some adjustments. "That's always been the thing over there. It's pitching and defense. " On both sides, Wednesday will very much be about pitching. Pitching matchupDET: RHP Justin Verlander (3-2, 4.29 ERA)
Not since Mickey Lolich in 1971 had a Tiger racked up double-digit strikeouts in three straight starts until Verlander followed up back-to-back 11-strikeout games with a career-high 13 strikeouts on Thursday at Minnesota, the most by a Tigers pitcher in one game since 2004. But that's just the surface of Verlander's success this stretch. He has given up three runs on 16 hits over 29 1/3 innings in his past four starts while racking up 44 strikeouts, and he's poised to do more of the same against a free-swinging Rangers squad. He's 4-1 with a 2.23 ERA in six career outings against Texas, striking out 33 batters in 36 1/3 innings. TEX: LHP Matt Harrison (4-2, 4.23 ERA)
Harrison has pitched two straight complete games and has won four straight starts with a 1.80 ERA. In those four games, he has pitched 30 innings while striking out 18 and walking two. He has allowed two earned runs in his past 28 innings. He made his first start of the season against the Tigers at Comerica Park and allowed four runs on nine hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings in a 4-3 loss. Tidbits
Look for Wilkin Ramirez to make his Major League debut Wednesday after the Tigers recalled their top outfield prospect from Triple-A Toledo Tuesday. It might be Ramirez's only appearance before rejoining the Mud Hens, possibly by the weekend if Magglio Ordonez returns Thursday or Friday as planned. ... Placido Polanco is 2-for-4 off Harrison; both hits were doubles. ... Marlon Byrd is 4-for-5 off Verlander. ... The Tigers have collected 10 or more hits in each of their past four games, all victories. ... Wednesday is Country Night at Comerica Park. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio• Gameday
• Official game notes On television
• FS-D HD On radio
• WXYT 1270/97.1 FM Up next
• Thursday: Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 3-2, 2.42) vs. Rangers (Kevin Millwood, 4-3, 2.93), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Friday: Tigers (Rick Porcello, 4-3, 3.86) vs. Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez, 3-4, 4.30), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Tigers (Armando Galarraga, 3-3, 5.62) vs. Rockies (Jason Marquis, 5-3, 4.75), 7:05 p.m. ET
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
