Verlander (11-6) threw a complete game Saturday against the Astros. He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while tallying 11 strikeouts.
Even though he was outstanding, Verlander needed a bit of help in the bottom of the ninth to secure his 11th victory of the season. The veteran had given up just two hits while blanking the Astros through the first eight innings, but surrendered two runs on three hits in the top of the final frame before the Tigers matched with two of their own in the bottom half for the 3-2 walk-off win. Friday marked Verlander's first complete game since August of last season, and lowered his ERA to a season-best 3.54. His 11 strikeouts were the most he's had in a regular season game since September of 2013, and pushed his strikeout total for 2016 up to 155 through 147.1 innings. Needless to say, Verlander is delivering some of his best stuff in a long time. In his six July starts, the flamethrower finished 4-0 with a ridiculous 1.69 ERA (he didn't allow more than two earned runs in any of the outings), and a 48:12 K:BB. Verlander will look to keep things rolling when he makes his next start Friday against the Mets.