35 Justin Verlander, SP

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander dropped to 4-3 with a 5.91 ERA in his last eight starts after Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles, in which he allowed five runs in five innings. Like the rest of the baseball world, Verlander is well aware he's not pitching up to standards.

"It’s been a battle so far," Verlander said, per MLB.com. "Obviously, you have that stretch of three or four starts where it was pretty frustrating. You know, I guess I’m always trying to get better, and I feel like I’ve made adjustments to get to that point.

"I feel like I’ve been getting better, better, and better. That’s not necessarily going to work towards a perfect game, but you’re not going to get better every time. There’s ups and downs, peaks and valleys, (Tuesday) was just one of those nights where two long balls hurt me. You know who knows what happens if I’m able to execute those pitches a little bit better. I’m not saying that I regressed, it’s just one of those games. This is Major League Baseball, you’re not going to be perfect every time."

Tigers starter Justin Verlander suffered his shortest career outing against the Baltimore franchise Tuesday night at home. Baltimore battered Verlander over just five innings as the starter took the loss.

Verlander, who falls to 8-5 with the defeat, allowed five earned runs on seven hits and four walks over his five innings. He needed 102 pitches and struck out five batters. Verlander was hurt in the fourth inning by a J.J. Hardy two-run homer. He gave up a three-run blast to Adam Jones in the fifth.

He had won his previous four consecutive decisions over five solid outings before losing Tuesday. He has 106 strikeouts over 92 innings and should be able to bounce right back on Sunday against Boston.

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander tossed a gem Wednesday, his fourth straight start with at least seven innings pitched. Unfortunately, the team's bullpen could not make a 2-0 lead stand up late, snapping his four-game winning streak.

Verlander took a no-decision despite leaving with a lead, after holding the Royals scoreless in seven strong innings. Verlander allowed three hits, all singles, and two walks in the game, while striking out eight batters. He threw 79 of 117 pitches for strikes in the outing, as his ERA fell to 3.41.

The Tigers lost, 3-2.

Verlander is set to make his next start Tuesday against the Orioles. 

Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander allowed three runs in seven innings Friday against the Indians, the third start in a row he has done so. 

Verlander opened the game with four shutout innings while the team built a 5-0 lead, and he did enough to make that lead stand up. He allowed three runs in the fifth inning, on five hits, including a double by Jason Kipnis that drove in two runs. 

Verlander allowed the three runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out six batters. He won his fourth start in a row, 7-5, to push his record to 8-4. Verlander has a 3.71 ERA on the season, but he has allowed at least three runs in six straight starts. 

He will make his next start Wednesday against the Royals in Kansas City.