REPORT: Detroit Tigers to face both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer this week

The Detroit Tigers are set to take on a couple former aces

The Detroit Tigers are set to take on the New York Mets this week. It's the first time they've played the Mets since 2019, and the first time they've come to Comerica Park since 2016. The series starts Tuesday night following an off-day today. But it sounds like they'll see a couple of familiar faces during that series.

A report from Mets beat reporter Steve Gelbs states that the Tigers will face Max Scherzer on Wednesday with Justin Verlander making his Mets debut on Thursday. Scherzer is returning from a 10-game suspension following an ejection for using a foreign substance.

Verlander suffered a strained teres muscle late in spring training and was placed on the 15-day IL. He signed a two-year, $86.67 million deal with New York this offseason. This will be the first time since 2018 since Verlander has pitched against the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Scherzer hasn't pitched against the Tigers since 2019, when he was with the Nationals. The time before that was back in 2016, when he tied a major league record with 20 strikeouts against the Tigers.

It'll be interesting to see how Verlander looks coming off the injury. He came back from Tommy John surgery last season and didn't miss a beat until the postseason. He's 40 years old now, so Father Time is going to catch up to him eventually.

Scherzer had a 3.72 ERA in four starts before the suspension. His strikeouts were down and his walks were up. His FIP is 5.71, which is not good. He's 38 himself, so he's no spring chicken. However, this is Mad Max after all. I'm expecting him to bounce back on Wednesday.

It'll also be interesting to see the reception both players get from fans and if attendance will be any better. Most people in Detroit still love JV, but still have fond memories of Scherzer as well. It would be nice to have even one of them right now.

It's crazy to think that Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander will both pitch against the Tigers in the same series, but that's exactly what's going to happen this week. This could be must see TV...or must see JV in Thursday's case.