Verlander: Figuring  it out

- They are missing Austin Jackson. He not only keys the top of their batting order, but is the Tigers' best defender at a premier position, center field. Last season in May and early June, Jackson went on the disabled list, as well. The Tigers were 8-13 in the games he missed. In 2012 overall, the Tigers were 80-57 when Jackson played. When he didn't, they were 8-17. This season, the Tigers are 3-5 since Jackson went on the DL with a hamstring pull. Two of those victories were at home against lowly Houston.
- The Tigers' starting pitching, their great strength, was awful over the weekend. Facing a strong lineup in a hitter-friendly ball park, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister didn't pitch well at all. We'll see how Max Scherzer, who is 5-0, but with an ERA pushing four, does in a pressure start against a streaking team, the Indians, on the road Tuesday. Verlander gets his shot at turning it around in a pressure start Wednesday vs. AL Central leading Tribe. Verlander has not pitched well at Progressive Field in Cleveland. His career numbers there: 7-10, 5.38 ERA, 1.339 WHIP. Should be interesting.

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