Busch Stadium
Game 1: Tuesday, June 16th, 8:15 PM ET
Justin Verlander, RHP (7-2, 3.02) Vs. Adam Wainwright, RHP (6-4, 3.49)
Tigers: Wednesday's complete-game victory over the White Sox continued the Detroit ace's roll through opposing hitters over the past month and a half. His 7-0 record and 1.10 ERA over his past nine starts is the best stretch by a Tigers starter since Doyle Alexander in 1987. His 81 strikeouts in that stretch gave him 106 over 13 starts this season, making him the quickest Tigers starter to fan 100 since Mickey Lolich in 1969. Now it's the National League's turn to face him, which has never been a fair challenge -- he's 8-0 with a 2.30 ERA over 10 career starts in Interleague Play.
Cardinals: Wainwright got some nice run support and was victorious against the Marlins on Wednesday despite throwing 121 pitches (75 strikes) -- his highest mark since April 26, 2008. Wainwright gave up four runs on 11 hits while walking three and striking out four to help St. Louis snap its five-game losing streak. It was the 27-year-old's sixth straight decision -- a stretch that has him 3-3 with a 2.68 ERA. Wainwright gave up a run in two innings during his only career appearance against the Tigers.
Game 2: Wednesday, June 17th, 8:15 PM ET
Edwin Jackson, RHP (6-3, 2.24) Vs. Todd Wellemeyer, RHP (5-6, 5.50)
Tigers: Jackson's no-decision Thursday against the White Sox ended his string of quality starts at six over the past month, but it also showed another sign of progress from previous inconsistencies in Tampa Bay. His struggles getting into sync and Chicago hitters' patience cost him 99 pitches over five innings, but with two runs allowed, he avoided the kind of big innings that plagued him in years past. He's 1-3 with a 6.80 ERA over 13 games in Interleague Play, nine of them starts.
Cardinals: Wellemeyer's fastball hovered in the 90-91 mph range in his last game, against the Marlins. That's about five mph slower than he was accustomed to averaging last season. Add the fact that Wellemeyer had significant trouble against the Marlins and you have a situation worth monitoring, in the least. Wellemeyer struck out just one Marlin in six innings and gave up five runs and 11 hits. The little-used Ross Gload got to him for two home runs, accounting for three runs. But Wellemeyer came away thinking he kept the damage to a minimum, especially considering his velocity woes. The Tigers, with a better-than-average offense, figure to be a significant test for him.
Game 3: Thursday, June 18th, 8:15 PM ET
Rick Porcello, RHP (7-4, 3.71) Vs. To be announced
Tigers: Porcello gets another chance to help his own cause at the plate after becoming the first Tigers pitcher since 1972 to drive in multiple runs in a game Friday at Pittsburgh. More important were his seven innings of one-run ball in 99 pitches, showing some efficient execution for a 20-year-old.
