Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander falls short of winning his 25th start – MLB News
Justin Verlander had a lot on his mind prior to Saturday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, as he was looking to win his 25th start of this season. However, that did not materialise as the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-5 to
deny the team’s starter a milestone that will go a long way in the history of the sport.
The win would have been a record for the Detroit Tigers’ starter. Not that Verlander fell victim to the flawed strategy to deal with the Baltimore Orioles as it was probably luck that was not on his side. "I was trying to find a rhythm," Verlander said.
"I was easing way off and tried to get a five- or six-pitch inning.”
Interesting to note is the fact that it was for the first time that Justin Verlander did not have any win since July 15. "He's human," O's manager Buck Showalter said. "He's one of, if not
the best, pitcher in the league this year. It's not like we exactly opened him up. I think you have to approach him with almost nothing to lose."
If he can win, Verlander will be the first player in the Majors to win 25-games after Bob Welch who attained this hallmark in 1990. All the same, if he can do it, it will be a record in itself since no starter has been able to win 25 games in the 34 starts
since World War two.
The last player to have achieved it was AL pitching Triple Crown winner Jeremy Guthrie. The blow to Verlander’s seemingly undeterred march to the glory was the defeat to the Orioles. Verlander had not lost any of the eight games that both teams faced each
other in the 2011 season, as he has won six of them.
Whatever the end result, it is indeed an exceptional feat that the player has consummated this season. While the Detroit Tigers have turned the tide and are performing par excellence, Verlander has been one of the instrumental players out there to help the
team accomplish many of their goals this season.
Verlander has managed to put in consistently good performances for the Tigers. Detroit is having an amazing season as they have fought hard throughout. Justin has been the spearhead of their pitching attack, his contribution to the Tigers current position
is tremendous. It will be interesting to see how well Verlander performs in the post-season as the Tigers take on the top teams at a whole different level of play. With the play-offs starting in a few days, the Tigers will be looking to put in a brilliant
performance with Verlander leading the pitching.
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