DETROIT (AP) - Justin Verlander spent all sorts of time over the last couple months trying to figure out what was wrong and why he was no longer dominating hitters with his terrific fastball.
Then he reached the All-Star break - with 10 wins and a 3.50 ERA.
"I wasn't where I'd like to be pretty much the whole half, but I was able to battle and end up with some pretty decent numbers," Verlander said.
Verlander could have been speaking for his entire team. The Detroit Tigers entered the season amid sky-high expectations after winning the American League pennant in 2012. They've endured drama in their bullpen and a frustrating record in close games, but with the break about to end, Detroit is performing pretty close to expectations. The Tigers lead the AL Central by 11â„2 games over the Cleveland Indians.
The outlook is probably better than it was a year ago at the break, when the Tigers were in third place, 31â„2 games off the pace. Detroit trailed the Chicago White Sox well into September before finally winning the division with an 88-74 record. This year, the Tigers (52-42) are on pace for about 90 wins, and Cleveland is the team mounting a serious challenge so far.
"I think we've hung in there," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "I truly think that's what's going to decide who wins - the team that's the toughest the second half, can grind it out on a daily basis, stay tough day in and day out, I think that's the team that's going to win."
Miguel Cabrera is following up his Triple Crown season with a run at a second straight AL MVP award. He's hitting .365 with 30 home runs and 95 RBI, and Prince Fielder is providing plenty of power with 16 homers.
Throw in Max Scherzer's 13-1 record - he was the AL's starting pitcher in the All-Star game - and there have been plenty of story lines at Comerica Park. But it's been hard for Tigers fans to feel comfortable. Their team is 3-9 in extra-inning games, and the bullpen remains unsettled.
Detroit entered the year with uncertainty at the closer spot. Rookie Bruce Rondon hasn't been able to take over that role, and although the Tigers brought veteran Jose Valverde back for a bit, he eventually faltered. Joaquin Benoit has converted all eight of his save chances and has a 1.64 ERA, but relievers Al Alburquerque and Phil Coke have had their problems.