Tale of the Tape: Game 2
A look at how Verlander, Chen compare heading into their matchup
Justin Verlander, Tigers
Against the Orioles
2014: 2 GS, 1-1, 4.50 ERA
Career: 15 GS, 9-2, 3.43 ERA
Loves to face: Adam Jones, 6-for-33, 9 K
Hates to face: Nelson Cruz, 7-for-31, 3 HR
Game breakdown
Why he'll win: Current Orioles hitters have put together a .201/.246/.358 slash line against him. He's 7-0 with a 2.84 ERA at Camden Yards.
Pitcher beware: He gave up five runs in six innings in Baltimore on May 14. His adjusted ERA was 12 percent worse than the league average this season.
Bottom line: After a shaky 2013 season, Verlander found his form in the playoffs. If he can do it again, the Tigers are in good shape.
Wei-Yin Chen, Orioles
Against the Tigers
2014: N/A -- did not face Detroit
Career: 2 GS, 1-0, 4.91 ERA
Loves to face: Everyone he's faced has at least a .250 average.
Hates to face: Ian Kinsler, 3-for-10, 2 2B
Game breakdown
Why he'll win: The element of surprise, perhaps? Chen has only faced four of Detroit's current hitters. The Tigers will have to figure him out on the fly.
Pitcher beware: There's an awful lot of dangerous right-handed hitters in that Tigers' lineup, and Detroit hit .285/.339/.451 off lefties this season.
Bottom line: It doesn't look like a promising matchup, on paper, but Chen pitched well in his only postseason start in 2012 and had a 2.05 ERA in September.