Tigers likely to see Weaver pitch Thursday in Detroit

DETROIT -- Two years after Jered Weaver's memorable, contentious matchup with the Tigers that ended with an ejection for throwing at Alex Avila and words exchanged from the dugout, the Angels ace appears to be on track for a return to Comerica Park.

Though the Angels made two trips to Detroit last summer, Weaver did not pitch in either series because of the rotation order. He missed a four-game series in July by a day. This time, he's on turn to pitch in Thursday afternoon's series finale.

With a hot, sunny day in the forecast, it could feel a lot like the atmosphere on July 31, 2011, when Weaver and Justin Verlander matched up in a much-publicized duel. While Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, Magglio Ordonez broke up Weaver's scoreless bid with a home run down the left-field line in the third.

Weaver took exception to Ordonez watching the home run, but settled in to retire 12 in a row before Carlos Guillen homered off of him and stared him down. Weaver's next pitch sailed over Avila's head, prompting an ejection.

Doug Fister, whom the Tigers acquired the day before that outing, is scheduled to oppose Weaver on Thursday.