Can Tigers bounce back to shut up their critics? - MLB Update
Justin Verlander has been one of the key players for Detroit Tigers for the last few years. He dominated the American League last season to help his team win the Division title.
Showing great throwing abilities and mental strength, the starting pitcher helped the Tigers secure some memorable wins last season. In a display of some top quality pitching, Verlander struck-out 250 batters with an impressive 2.40 ERA to win the American
League Most Valuable Player Award for himself.
In some ways though, Verlander was extremely lucky. On some instances when he was not even at his best, Tigers’ relievers helped him win the games, which improved his record to 24-5.
However, things are looking pretty dark for both Verlander and the Tigers right now. After suffering a series sweep to Cleveland Indians, the Tigers are now six games behind the AL Central leading Indians.
"It's not like they're not trying and not playing hard every night," manager Jim Leyland said. "It's not that they're not pissed off. But all we can do is just keep grinding. We're a very good team that's not playing very good."
"What was going through my mind? I'm gonna give everything I have and try to light a spark," he added. "This is a game of momentum, it's a crazy thing. And I felt if I was able to go out there and just dominate an inning and get our guys back in there quick,
maybe something would happen."
Manager Jim Leyland is still optimistic about the end results. He is convinced that the players are trying hard and the Tigers will make a strong come back before the All Star Break. The skipper is convinced that his men are trying hard each day and it is
just a matter of time before the start to win games on consistent basis.
Surely, Verlander will need some support from the hitters to win games against other top teams in the league. It is now or never for the Tigers and it is also a golden opportunity for someone like Prince Fielder to prove his mettle.
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