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Detroit Tigers: Verlander scratched, J.D. sits, Cabrera & Indians fan

By Dave Holcomb

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Despite the three-game winning streak and continued dominance over the Indians, Detroit Tigers fans have another thing to be frustrated about: Justin Verlander will not make his start on Wednesday due to a stiff back.

Verlander discussed his back issue with the media on Tuesday, which can be seen in a video on MLive.com. The right-handed explained that his body is not yet in pitching shape and that it is a good sign that his arm is responding well. Although that is a good point, if his body really isn’t in pitching shape yet, then why did manager Brad Ausmus leave him in his last start for over 115 pitches?

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Another questionable move Ausmus made in the last week was sitting right fielder J.D. Martinez on Tuesday despite being one of the team’s hottest hitters. Martinez hit three home runs on Sunday versus the New York Yankees.

This move, however, does make more sense than leaving Verlander in Friday’s start for 115 pitches. Ausmus defended sitting Martinez on Tuesday to the media after the game.

Believe it or not, Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-5 in the, 7-3, victory over the Indians and his batting average against Cleveland dropped, but that wasn’t the headliner from Miggy. Cabrera interacted with a young Indians fan down the first baseline and gave the kid game-used batting gloves and a bat.

It doesn’t matter which team in the league you root for, moments like this make everyone smile. They are the reason we love this game.

Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander discusses back issue that will prevent him from making next start – Chris Iott, MLive.com

Ausmus defends sitting J.D. Martinez against Indians – Chris McCosky, The Detroit News

"But, he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Monday, and on this road trip he’s 6 for 21.“If he had come out yesterday after hitting three home runs and had another good day, I probably would have played him,” Ausmus said.But there was one other, rather large, reason why he didn’t — Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar. Martinez is 1 for 9 against him with seven strikeouts. The last time Martinez was pulled from the starting lineup, nine games ago, was because Salazar was pitching."

Watch this: Miguel Cabrera bonds with young Indians fan – Brian Manzullo, The Detroit Free Press

"The Detroit Tigers first baseman had a humorous interaction with a young Cleveland Indians fan during tonight’s game at Progressive Field that led to Cabrera giving the fan a bat, a pair of batting gloves and a baseball.The young fan, using his Indians cap, caught a bouncing line-drive foul ball by Jason Kipnis down the first base line in the fifth inning, then pointed at Cabrera, seemingly yelling “I got your back!” while Cabrera looked back, smiled and gestured toward him.In between innings, Cabrera approached the young fan with the baseball goods as a sign of appreciation."

Next: Tigers should trade Price if downward spiral continues

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