Matt Harding
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In a rematch of the 2011 ALCS, the Tigers square off against the Texas Rangers in a 4-game series starting tonight.
With a start time of 7:05 p.m., the Tigers plan on sending lefty Adam Wilk to the mound tonight to face Japanese phenomenon Yu Darvish. Friday night's game has Matt Harrison facing Detroit's Rick Porcello. Saturday afternoon, ace Justin Verlander will pitch against Neftali Feliz. Finally, Sunday afternoon, we'll have a match-up that places Drew Smyly against Colby Lewis.
Verlander is 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA this season.
Photo by Matt Harding / In Play! Magazine
Smyly has pitched 10 major league innings -- against Tampa Bay on April 12 and against Kansas City on April 17 -- and hasn't received a decision. He's only given up one earned run, while striking out eight.
My guess would be that the Tigers split the series with the Rangers. Both clubs are incredibly good right now, and I wouldn't doubt a rematch at the level they were both at last season -- the ALCS.
Texas comes in to the series with a 10-2 record, the best in the MLB. The Tigers aren't far behind with their 9-3 record.
