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Verlander, Tigers hope to end early-season troubles

Apr 22, 2008 - 12:46 PM Texas (7-13) at Detroit (7-13) 7:05 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) - Justin Verlander was supposed to be the ace of a team many figured to be a World Series contender. So far, his disappointing start has been reflective of his team's struggles.

Verlander looks to get his first win of the season as his Detroit Tigers begin a three-game set with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday.

Last season, Verlander (0-3, 7.03 ERA) recorded career highs in victories (18) and strikeouts (183) while tossing his first no-hitter on June 12 against Milwaukee. The righthander also finished strong as well, going 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA over his final seven starts of the season.

However, it has been one struggle after another for Verlander this season, perhaps best exemplified by his last outing on Thursday. He allowed five runs and seven hits with four walks and just one strikeout over five innings in an 11-1 loss at Cleveland.

Perhaps a good start by Verlander will further spark the Tigers' resurgence as they have won five of their last eight after starting the season 2-10.

His counterpart on the mound will be Vicente Padilla (2-1, 3.12), who has been solid after battling an up-and-down 2007, mostly due to injury. The righthander had his best start of the season in his last outing on Thursday, allowing one run and seven hits over seven innings in a 4-1 road win.