@ Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Game 1: Monday, August 24th, 10:05 PM ET.
Justin Verlander, RHP (13-7, 3.29) Vs. Jered Weaver, RHP (13-4, 3.89)
Tigers: Verlander crossed the 200-strikeout mark for the season with his 10-strikeout performance in his last outing Wednesday against the Mariners, but a three-run fifth inning and a lack of offensive support sent him to defeat for the second time in his past three outings. He's on pace for a 250-strikeout season, but it's looking less and less likely that he'll approach the 20-win mark. He has split a pair of decisions against the Angels, including one in which he struck out seven in eight scoreless on June 5 at Comerica Park.
Angels: Weaver is coming off his second career shutout and fourth complete game, a seven-hit blanking of the Indians at Progressive Field on Wednesday night. He was in command from the start, striking out two in the first inning, but became efficient as the game wore on with early-count outs -- and high-quality defense, especially on a run-saving play by third baseman Chone Figgins. The shutout erased the bitter taste of his worst outing of the season in Baltimore. Weaver had a seven-inning no-decision against the Tigers in April, yielding three earned runs. He's 2-1 with a 7.08 ERA in four career outings against Detroit and is 8-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 13 home assignments this season.
Game 2: Tuesday, August 25th, 10:05 PM ET.
Jarrod Washburn, LHP (8-7, 3.18) Vs. John Lackey, RHP (8-6, 4.00)
Tigers: After making his first four starts as a Tiger at Comerica Park, Washburn gets to take the mound on the road for the first time in three weeks. But even this start is probably going to feel like home because he pitched the first seven years of his Major League career for the Angels. He is 30-37 for his career at Angel Stadium, but four of those losses came during his past four seasons with the Mariners. Of greater concern are his four starts as a Tiger, during which he has given up 17 earned runs on 24 hits in 25 1/3 innings.
Angels: Lackey endured his worst outing in six weeks on Thursday night in Cleveland, getting hammered for six earned runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings, and striking out three. It was the first time in seven starts, since a July 7 loss to the Rangers, in which he'd yielded more than three earned runs in a game and failed to pitch into the seventh inning. Lackey is seeking win No. 100, a plateau reached by only four Angels pitchers: Nolan Ryan, Frank Tanana, Mike Witt and Chuck Finley. Lackey is 6-0 with a 3.31 ERA in eight career starts against the Tigers. He's 4-4 with a 3.83 ERA at home this season.
Game 3: Wednesday, August 26th, 3:35 PM ET.
Edwin Jackson, RHP (10-5, 2.86) Vs. Joe Saunders, LHP (9-7, 5.33)
Tigers: Having surrendered seven runs on 18 hits in 10 innings over his previous two starts, Jackson bounced back against the A's on Friday, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out five to earn the win. The 25-year-old will look to keep rolling against the Angels. He's 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA in two starts against the Halos this year, including a one-run, complete-game performance on June 6.
Angels: Saunders is optimistic that a two-week trip to the disabled list after a dismal outing on Aug. 7, lasting only 1 2/3 innings while giving up five runs against the Rangers, has restored the health of a left shoulder that had been tight with a knot. After a 17-7 breakthrough 2008 season with a 3.41 ERA in 31 starts, Saunders is 9-7 with a 5.33 ERA in 23 outings. He is hoping to recapture his All-Star form from last year with a healthy shoulder. Saunders clearly wasn't himself during a 13-start stretch after May when his ERA was 7.51. He has had several excellent efforts, including a shutout of the Royals, but has struggled to find consistency. Looking for his first career win against the Tigers -- he's 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in six starts -- Saunders is 4-3 with a 4.63 ERA at home this season.
