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Detroit Tigers observations: Justin Verlander dominant, Candelario sent down to Triple-A

Before Wednesday night’s game against the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire tipped his hand.

The Tigers were going to try some new things against former ace Justin Verlander, anything they could to get him off his game.

“It’s never worked before,” Gardenhire deadpanned.

The game’s outcome was seemingly decided before it started: The Astros, one of baseball’s best teams, brought Verlander to the hill, with an offense that was sure to wreak havoc on the two-man, left-handed rookie tandem of Gregory Soto and Nick Ramirez, both on three days' rest.

The Tigers lost, 5-1, but the game was more competitive than that.