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Tigers-Angels Preview

Aug 24, 2009 - 2:52 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Detroit (65-57) at Los Angeles (74-47), 10:05 p.m. EDT

Jered Weaver and Justin Verlander are a big reason why the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers lead their respective divisions.

The two aces take the mound Monday night as Weaver looks to extend the Angels' home domination over the Tigers in the opener of a three-game series.

Weaver (13-4, 3.89 ERA) and Verlander (13-7, 3.29) are among the league leaders in victories, but the Detroit right-hander has had to work harder for his success.

While Weaver is 5-1 in his last nine starts, which the Angels (74-48) are 8-1 in, he has a 5.43 ERA during that stretch, leaning on an offense that has averaged 8.2 runs while he's on the mound.

Verlander, meanwhile, has been outstandingly recently. He has a 2.70 ERA in his last eight starts and has pitched at least eight innings in four of his last six outings. He's just 4-3 in those starts, though, and has dropped two of his last three, during which the Tigers (65-58) have averaged 2.4 runs for him.

The right-hander gave up three runs in eight innings of a 3-1 loss to Seattle on Wednesday. He struck out 10, giving him an AL-best 204 for the season - the most by a Tigers starter since Jack Morris had 208 in 1986.

"He's one of the best pitchers in baseball, and his best years should still be ahead of him," manager Jim Leyland said.

Verlander is 0-2 with a 4.55 ERA in five starts against the Angels. He doesn't have a decision in two games against them this season. In his first career start at Angel Stadium, he allowed seven runs in five innings of a 12-10 victory on April 22.

Weaver was stellar in his last appearance, throwing a seven-hitter in a 3-0 win at Cleveland on Wednesday. He allowed eight runs in 3 1-3 innings in his previous start against Baltimore.

"That last outing was just one of those things you have to deal with in a career," Weaver said. "I didn't worry about it. I threw strikes. That was the difference."

The right-hander is 2-1 with a 7.08 ERA against Detroit. He gave up three runs over seven innings in a 4-3 win on April 21 but did not receive a decision.

Detroit and Los Angeles have split six meetings this season, with the Angels winning two of three at home. They've won eight of 10 and 27 of the last 35 home games against the Tigers, who haven't won in Anaheim since taking two of three May 6-8, 2005.

Los Angeles, which has a 5 1/2-game lead over Texas in the AL West, returns home after a 6-4 road trip. It dropped two of three at Toronto over the weekend, losing 8-3 on Sunday.

The Angels rotation compiled a 7.40 ERA during the trip, with two of three starters failing to make it out of the second inning. Rookie Trevor Bell lasted 1 2-3 innings Sunday, giving up six runs and walking four.

"I don't want to look back," manager Mike Scioscia told the Angels' official Web site. "But there are a lot of good things that have helped us win games - and some things that we need to get more consistent with."

The Tigers, meanwhile, continue a six-game trip after losing two of three at Oakland for their 10th consecutive road series loss. They lost 9-4 Sunday despite Miguel Cabrera tallying three hits, including his 200th career home run.

"We still didn't do too much offensively," Leyland said. "We didn't put it in play very well. You can't play that way in the middle of a pennant race."

Despite their struggles, the Tigers still have a 2 1/2-game lead over Chicago in the AL Central.