Tigers Top White Sox 7-4

Sep 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) comes into the dugout prior to the game against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers haven’t had many positive things to build on this season, especially how bad things have gone since the All-Star break. But as the final days of the season wind down and the Tigers playoff hopes are nowhere to be found, one thing has been going alright. Ok, a bit more than alright. Justin Verlander is completely back, and he’s throwing his best stuff since 2013.

The day after the team announced that Bruce Rondon is so lazy that they dont even want him near the team, Justin Verlander was tossing 99 MPH fastballs in the 7th inning, as the Tigers cruised to 7-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Although basically facing the Sox AAA team, Verlander’s command and velocity continued to look better. Other than a Melky Cabrera homerun in the 4th, he was dominate, and had his way with most of the White Sox hitters. Striking out 8 while only allowing 3 runs, its safe to say Verlander’s core is feeling back to normal. After the game, Verlander said how great it felt to be throwing hard again, elaborating further to say the same effort earlier in the season that was producing 93, 94 MPH fastballs are now producing 98, 99 MPH fastballs.

Verlander moves up to 4-8 on the season, which is way more impressive than it sounds.

The Tigers bats helped themselves against the Sox, as Frankie Montas made his first career start. Only lasting 3 innings, the Sox top prospect didn’t have quite the debut he had hoped. The September call-up had been outstanding out of the bullpen since arriving in Chicago, but the 22 year-old out of the Dominican Republic gave up a 2-run homerun to Victor Martinez in the first inning to get things going, and it didnt get much better.

After the 2nd inning went 1-2-3, the 3rd inning began with two singles and an error, before J.D. Martinez hit a ground rule double to add two more runs. The next batter was Nick Castellanos, who singled in another run followed by an Alex Avila ground out, which added one more. After retiring the catcher James McCann to end the 3rd inning, that was it for the young prospect.

The Tigers final run came the following inning, when Ian Kinsler drove in Rajai Davis on an infield single.

The Tigers have Thursday off, before the Minnesota Twins head to Comerica Park on Friday.