DETROIT - It's all but impossible to feel sorry for Justin Verlander.
The 'ace' of the Tigers rotation opened the year on the disabled list with a right triceps strain and didn't make his first start until June 13. Two starts later, Verlander had to be scratched because of back stiffness but was back on the bump Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In three starts this season, Verlander is 0-1 with a 5.09 ERA. In 17.2 innings he has allowed 11 runs on 19 hits, including allowing three home runs in a loss against the Yankees. In the three starts he has walked eight and struck out just seven.