Detroit Tigers: 5 greatest Justin Verlander performances

10/11/12 Det vs. OAK ALDS Game 5

9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K, 89 Game Score

Justin Verlander has thrown two regular season no-hitters, won a Cy Young and an MVP award and made six All-Star games, but the man is somehow even better in the play-offs.

Particularly against the Oakland A’s.

The Tigers were up 3-1 heading back to the Oakland Coliseum to face the A’s in the 2012 ALDS. Even though the lead was comfortable, the A’s were a 94-win team playing at home and had a lot of life left in them.

Justin Verlander made sure to take care of that.

The ace right-hander made quick work of the A’s in game five, throwing a complete game shutout. He only gave up four hits and one walk, while striking out 11. It was an outstanding performance for Verlander to cap off an excellent series.

Verlander also started game one, earning the win in seven strong innings while also striking out 11 hitters. Two wins, 16 innings pitched and 22 strikeouts is an incredible series, and Verlander cemented himself in A’s villany that week.

It will be fun to see Justin Verlander back at Comerica Park, even if he is pitching for the opposing team. He is a Detroit Tigers icon, and will be remembered as one of the greatest in franchise history when all is said and done.