Detroit Tigers vs Texas Rangers
When ? Thursday, 13 October, 2011 – 04:19 PM
Where ? Comerica Park
Pitchers: vs Wilson vs Verlander
Though Verlander won 24 games and led the AL in ERA (2.40) and strikeouts (250), he is 1-1 with a 5.54 ERA in three postseason starts. However, the right-hander will not put any more pressure on the himself than there obviously is with his team facing elimination. Cruz, who has hit all four of Texas’ ALCS home runs, connected for the first game-ending grand slam in postseason history in the Rangers’ 7-3, 11-inning victory in Game 2. The first player in major league history to hit two extra-inning home runs in the same postseason series, Cruz is 5 for 14 with nine RBIs in the ALCS after going 1 for 15 versus Tampa Bay in the division series. “I have to go out there and pitch better than I have and really establish a rhythm from the get-go and maintain my feel throughout the game,” he said. Verlander has struggled to find a solid rhythm because two of his three playoff starts have been interrupted by rain, including Game 1 on Saturday when he allowed three runs in four innings against the Rangers. Cabrera is 5 for 14 with three doubles, a home run and four RBIs in the series. He’s not going to concern himself about the potential for rain interrupting this outing. “There’s no point of talking about it before it happens,” Wilson said. “Nothing is regular at this point. There’s no regular starts in the postseason. There’s no regular routine.” “Real good team,” Tigers manager Jim Leyland said of the Rangers. “And so far they’ve gotten the best of (us). Obviously, we’ve got to win (Thursday).” Scheduled Texas starter (0-1, 7.45) allowed six hits and walked five but yielded just two runs in 4 2/3 innings against Verlander in Game 1. The left-hander returned after the first of two rain delays in that contest and was not very sharp. We will post information about results of this match, as soon as posible.