The Detroit Tigers might have the impressive pitching resume, but the Baltimore Orioles have Nelson Cruz and that proved the be the key in getting the Game 1 win over former Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. Cruz led the najors with 40 home runs in the regular season and carried that to the postseason, starting the game off with a two-run shot in the first inning. JJ Hardy added to the mix in the seventh and before Detroit knew it, they were losing 12-3. Can Justin Verlander change things and even the series?
Cruz loves hitting off the Detroit Tigers. The batter is 10 for 26 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs in seven playoff games against the American League Central team. Now Verlander must deal with big hitter after finishing the regular season 15-12 with a 4.54 ERA. He had a rollercoaster year, but finished strong going 3-0 with a 2.89 ERA in his final four starts. He won five of his last six decisions. He has looked good in Baltimore with a 7-0 record and 2.84 ERA in his last eight starts at Camden Yards. Cruz has a three-run home run against Verlander in the pitchers last start in Baltimore where he gave up five runs over six innings.
The Orioles will start Wei-Yin Chen who put up a 16-6 record and 3.54 ERA in the regular season. Chen's issue has been run support. He has gotten just two runs while dropping his last two regular season starts despite having a 2.05 ERA in the month of September. He has looked strong at home with a 5-0 record and 3.50 ERA in his last six starts at Camden Yards. His only game against Detroit came in 2012 where he gave up two hits in an 8-6 win.
Detroit likes to hit against lefties which could be a problem for Chen. The Tigers are hitting an MLB-best .285 against lefthanders with 46 home runs on the season. Victor Martinez is batting .371 against Baltimore despite struggling on Thursday. Verlander will be the key in this matchup. The pitcher had ups and downs in the regular season which is something the Tigers hope is not a problem in the postseason.
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