Detroit Tigers

Verlander, Tigers go for four in a row

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Detroit Tigers began 2015 by reeling off six straight victories as Justin Verlander began what would amount to a two-month stay on the disabled list.

They haven't won four in a row since.

Detroit, though, can do just that Friday night (6 p.m. pregame, 7:08 first pitch on FOX Sports Detroit) as Verlander takes the mound against the visiting Texas Rangers in another matchup of clubs chasing the final AL playoff spot.

The Tigers' inability to match their strong start is part of the reason their run of four straight AL Central titles seems sure to end. The wild-card race isn't much more promising, as Detroit (59-61) would have to jump four teams and hold off another just to capture the second spot.

The Tigers are still fighting, though, beating the Rangers 4-0 behind a one-hitter from Alfredo Simon on Thursday. Nick Castellanos drove in two runs while Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez had two hits and an RBI apiece.

Detroit now turns to Verlander (1-5, 4.11 ERA), who has been up and down since making his season debut June 13 but has posted a 1.75 ERA over his last five starts.

The right-hander gave up two unearned runs in a 7-2 loss to Boston on Aug. 9 before pitching his first scoreless outing Saturday, allowing three hits and striking out seven in seven innings of a 4-2 win over Houston in 11.

"I think last year was an aberration for me," said Verlander, who went 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA in 2014. "I did a lot of work this offseason to get myself and my body in position to be able to pitch well. I look to this as more the norm than an aberration.

"I don't think (Saturday) is a throwback. This is the pitcher that I am."

The Rangers (61-59) hope to get the Verlander they faced in 2014. He gave up a career high-tying nine runs - six earned - and 11 hits in 5 1-3 innings of a 12-4 loss last May 25.

Colby Lewis earned that victory for Texas, and he'll take the mound again in this matchup. Lewis (13-5, 4.49) has gone 5-1 with a 3.73 ERA in his last six starts and is one victory away from matching his career high.

The right-hander allowed one run in six innings to beat Tampa Bay 12-4 on Saturday.

"The guy that has been a mainstay for us and what he has meant to the starting rotation all year long," manager Jeff Banister said. "He wasn't going to give in."

Martinez is 9 for 17 with three doubles off Lewis, who hopes to get some support from a lineup that finished with one hit for the third time this season.

Texas averaged 5.9 runs while winning six of its previous seven, but Rougned Odor's double in the fifth was all it could muster Thursday as it dropped a fourth straight meeting. Will Venable, acquired from San Diego on Tuesday, made his Rangers debut in left field and went 0 for 2 with a walk after Texas placed Josh Hamilton on the disabled list with knee inflammation earlier in the day.

Prince Fielder went 0 for 4 in his first game at Comerica Park since the Tigers traded him for Ian Kinsler after the 2013 season.

"I got booed the last time I was here, so why would it change?" Fielder said. "What people think of me is none of my business."