Indians-Tigers Preview: Verlander Finally Makes 2015 Debut
(AP) -- Justin Verlander's growth into one of the game's most dominant pitchers didn't come without some difficult times, including the worst season of his career seven years ago.
Regaining even a semblance of that nearly unhittable form will be a process while coming off another underachieving campaign and an injury that delayed his 2015 debut.
Verlander gets his first crack at overcoming those obstacles Saturday when the Detroit Tigers host a Cleveland Indians team that roughed him up like so many others a season ago.
The 32-year-old right-hander won AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2006 and followed that up with an 18-win season to establish himself as Detroit's ace, but he set career worsts for a full season with 17 losses and a 4.84 ERA in '08.
He more than made up for that campaign, making five straight All-Star appearances while reaching his peak by going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and winning both the AL Cy Young and MVP in 2011.
Now he's going to have to prove himself as one of the Tigers' top pitchers all over again.
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