SF Giants: Don't Look In Your Rear View Mirror....

[ODUalum11]

Tonight's preview of the Diamondbacks-Tigers game...

Though the season hasn't quite reached the halfway point, Justin Verlander is already building a strong case to win his first AL Cy Young Award.

The surging Arizona Diamondbacks want to be one of the few teams able to pin a loss on the Detroit Tigers ace.

Verlander will try to win his sixth straight start as the Tigers continue their weekend series Saturday night with the Diamondbacks, who seek their eighth consecutive road win.

Verlander (9-3, 2.54 ERA) also is in search of his third complete game in a row -- and he might have a hard time topping the last two.

The right-hander came within five outs of his second no-hitter this year, limiting Cleveland to two hits and fanning a season-best 12 on June 14. He then won his seventh straight decision by holding the Rockies to four hits in a 9-1 victory at Colorado on Sunday.

Verlander, who matched last season's total with his fourth complete game, wasn't entirely pleased with his effort.

"This start wasn't that great," he said. "Early in the game especially, my fastball control wasn't anywhere near where it should be."

Regardless, Verlander was named co-AL player of the week Monday with Tampa Bay's James Shields.

Verlander looks to help the Tigers (40-36) rebound from a tough loss Friday, when Arizona erased an early four-run deficit for a 7-6 victory.

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[AZGrizFan]

Verlander is the real deal. Not that we didn't already know that...

[Gil Dobie]

Verlander is the real deal. Not that we didn't already know that...

Might be the best pitcher in baseball right now.