Even though he is the odds on favorite to be the starting pitcher for the American League during this years all-star game, Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander looks as though he will not pitch at all during the game. The reason is due to MLB’s new rules stating that any pitcher who starts a game on the final day before the all-star break shall be ineligible to pitch during the game.
With an off day coming this Thursday after their interleague series in Los Angeles, manager Jim Leyland could bump up Verlander’s next start to Friday giving Verlander the normal amount of rest. However Leyland indicated that he would stick with his normal rotation meaning that Phil Coke will start Friday’s opener at home against Arizona with Verlander sticking with his original Saturday start.
“With the day off, that’s his regular time to pitch,” Leyland said. “Yes. That would be correct.”
So far this season Verlander has arguably been the best pitcher in the American League going 9-3 with a 2.54 ERA. Although he has never been named as a starter in the all-star game he has been named to the team three times (2007, 2009, 2010).
Source: Mlive.com
