The Yankees & Our Old Friend Justin Verlander

The Yankees have their backs against the wall without the guy known most for producing with his back against the wall, Derek Jeter, as they travel to Comerica Park for Game 3 of the ALCS. The Yankees have no easy task either with their absolutely dead offense having to face off against the Tigers ace Justin Verlander tonight. The Yankees have had to face off with Verlander now three times this season but usually with CC Sabathia on the mound for us, not Phil Hughes, but the Yankees have probably done better then you think against Mr. Verlander this season.

On April 27th Verlander faced the Yankees in Yankees Stadium and granted this was very early in the season but he was held to only 6 IP while allowing 5 runs, 4 of them earned, while allowing 2 home runs and throwing over 100 pitches. Verlander would get the no decision in the start though but the Yankees would win the game. After getting knocked around his ERA was still only raised to 2.41 to give you an idea that he was still pitching dominantly even in the beginning of the season albeit not as dominant as he was in the latter parts of the season. He also only struck out four Yankees in the game.

On June 3rd the Yankees and the Tigers would face off again with Verlander on the mound but this time at home in Comerica Park for Justin. Different game about the same result though as he only pitched 6.1 IP and allowed 5 runs, 3 of them earned, while throwing 114 pitches and allowing 2 more home runs to the bombers. This time he would take the loss in the game and would drop his record to 5-4 and raise his ERA from 2.55 to 2.67. Once again he only struck out four Yankees in the game while they took pitches, fought off pitches, and made Justin have a long game.

August 6th these same two teams would match up YET again with Verlander on the mound in Comerica Park again. This time Justin Verlander would get the best of the Yankees while getting the win to improve his record to 12-7 and lowering his ERA from 2.80 to 2.73. Justin would pitch 8 IP on that night while throwing 132 pitches. He would allow 2 runs but neither of them were earned while striking out an insane 14 Yankees batters before leaving.

Can we base ANYTHING whatsoever off of this post? Absolutely not! The Yankees offense was a lot better in the first two starts then the last and light years better then than they are right now. Verlander seems to get stronger and better not only the deeper the game goes but the deeper the season goes so we will not see the same Verlander tonight that we saw in April and June. Can the Yankees beat Verlander, then win tomorrow with CC on the mound, and get back in this series? Absolutely we just have to do it, simple as that. We always have his kryptonite though if all else fails...