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Aug 26, 2015 - 4:51 AM Hector Santiago is supposed to be the All-Star pitcher for a playoff contender entering the prime of his career. Justin Verlander is supposed to be the fragile veteran declining from seasons of dominance.

Over the last six starts for each, those roles haven't held true.

Santiago will try to get back on track Wednesday night with the Los Angeles Angels looking to send the Detroit Tigers' former ace back to his early summer form and his club to a ninth straight loss in the series.

Santiago (7-7, 2.91 ERA) followed his first All-Star selection up with a third straight win, but he's plummeted since, going 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA in his last six. The latest was the worst for the left-hander, as Santiago gave up four runs - two earned - and three hits with four walks in 3 2-3 innings of Friday's 9-2 home loss to Toronto.

His walks per nine innings is at 3.66 during the struggles after he posted a 2.78 mark in his first 19 games.

"I was trying to hit too many spots, and when you try to make too many good pitches, you start missing," Santiago said. "My mechanics weren't there, and I just wasn't driving the ball the way I've been doing it. ... I just kind of fell apart."

He's traditionally been strong against Detroit, posting a 1.71 ERA in six starts and seven relief efforts, though it's resulted in a 1-3 record. Jose Iglesias (2 for 7) is the only Tigers player with multiple at-bats and an average over .231 against Santiago. Alex Aliva (0 for 8 with five strikeouts), Nick Castellanos (0 for 7), Rajai Davis (1 for 10), J.D. Martinez (1 for 6) and Miguel Cabrera (2 for 11) head up the struggles.

Verlander (1-6, 3.86) has his ERA at its lowest mark since his first start of the season, and his last six have been a 180-degree turn from his first six. The right-hander gave up two runs - one earned - and four hits with eight strikeouts in seven innings of Friday's 2-0 home loss to Texas.

The wins aren't yet coming, but Verlander is 1-3 with a 1.67 ERA in six starts after going 0-3 with a 6.62 mark in his first six since returning from a strained right triceps, which cost him more than two months to start the season.

"I do feel better. I've been throwing the ball better than at any point last year," Verlander said. "Obviously I'm pleased with the results, with all the work that I've put in. But it comes down to winning."

That hasn't happened consistently against the Angels with a 4-6 record and 4.07 ERA in 13 career starts. Albert Pujols is 6 for 12 against Verlander while Shane Victorino is 1 for 9.

Pujols starred in Tuesday's 8-7 win in Detroit with a three-run homer, giving him four home runs and nine RBIs in five games against the Tigers this season. His career .437 average at Comerica Park is his best at any ballpark while his 1.346 OPS is second to only Nationals Park.

The Angels (64-61) ended a four-game losing streak and extended the Tigers' slide to five. Detroit (59-66) can match a season-high five-game home skid Wednesday.

Los Angeles might have to figure something out at second base. Johnny Giavotella (undisclosed illness) landed on the disabled list Tuesday and replacement Grant Green left after three innings with a knee injury.

Cabrera was 3 for 5 with three RBIs and is batting .537 during a 10-game hitting streak. He's inching toward eligibility for his fourth batting title in five years.






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