That victory gave Detroit an 11-5 season series edge heading into Tuesday's contest.
The MLB odds like Verlander's chances of matching Prince Hal's club record and the Tigers extending their winning stretch. Detroit is a -180 favorite this evening when they face Chicago's Gavin Floyd (12-10, 4.35). The game total is seven.
There's no debating Verlander's overall performance this season. Clearly the front-runner for Cy Young Award, he could become just the 10th different pitcher to win the AL MVP and first since Dennis Eckersley in 1992.
If there's one little glitch in his numbers, it's a road ERA that is creeping up and a propensity for giving up the long ball away from Comerica Park.
Verlander has allowed 15 homers in 118.1 road innings, and a 4.17 ERA over his last six away assignments. Still, Detroit is 6-0 in those games and 12-4 when Verlander takes the bump on the road.
The last time Verlander didn't win a start was July 15 at home against Floyd and the White Sox. Chicago got to the Detroit righty for five runs (4 earned) in six innings while Floyd pitched into the eighth giving up just one earned run for the win. The Tigers were -200 chalk in that contest.
Floyd also pitched in Detroit just 10 days ago, leaving after five innings with an 8-4 lead. He wound up with a when the Tigers rallied for a 9-8 win punctuated by a walk-off homer by Miguel Cabrera.
US Cellular Field has not been kind to Floyd in 2011, his ERA here approaching 6.00 while he sports a 3.28 mark away from home. The White Sox are 6-6 in his 12 starts on the South Side diamond, opposing batters popping 9 HR in his 69.1 innings of work.
Floyd and his relievers should have a big stick back in their lineup for this game. Right-fielder Carlos Quentin was activated from the DL and he played part of Monday's game at DH. He'd been out since Aug. 21 with sprained shoulder and is 10 for 34 lifetime vs. Verlander with 3 HR.
The forecasters are calling for a cool evening in the Windy City, clear skies with a light breeze blowing out to center and temps dropping from the upper 60s at game time night (8:10 PM ET) into the 50s as the evening progresses.
www.sbrforum.com | Chance Harper
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