Verlander goes the distance in loss: Justin Masterson matched Justin Verlander pitch for pitch for first his career win over Detroit, and the first-place Cleveland Indians did just enough to beat the reigning AL MVP 2-1 Thursday and complete a three-game sweep of the underperforming Tigers. Last season, Verlander owned the Indians. He won all three starts against Cleveland, and came in 9-1 against them in his previous 12 starts. The right-hander gave up two runs, six hits, walked one threw a 102 mph fastball on his 116th pitch. Verlander (5-2) struck out seven. (Updated 05/24/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/25/12).
Fantasy Analysis
In his previous start, Verlander came within two outs of his third career no-hitter, a performance manager Jim Leyland described as "probably the best game I've ever seen pitched." Shin-Soo Choo quickly ended any suspense whether Verlander would repeat his flirtation, crushing the right-hander's third pitch into the second deck in right -- a 454-foot homer. Nonetheless, Verlander went the distance again and was still good enough to win Thursday. Continue to keep him active in all Fantasy formats heading into his next start Tuesday at Boston. Verlander is lining up for two starts in Week 9 (May 28-June 3), with his second coming against the Yankees. (Updated 05/24/2012).
05/25/2012 14:25 Chris Perez continues to speak his mind
Following the Indians' sweep of the Tigers Thursday, closer Chris Perez had a few choice words about a lack of attention for his club, and he got off a parting shot in the Tigers' direction.
05/25/2012 14:07 Hit Parade for Week 9
Which schedules can you take advantage of in Fantasy Week 8? Our Scott White shares his start and sit recommendations by position for the upcoming scoring period in his latest Hit Parade.
05/24/2012 21:17 3 to Watch: The 'Is this year different in Cleveland?' edition
The Indians will be in first place on Memorial Day, just like last year. This was the time that their 2011 season began falling apart. If this year is different -- and they think it is -- then maybe we'll start seeing evidence of it this weekend in Chicago. Hey, as 3 to Watch says, somebody has to win the American League Central, and right now the heavily-favored Tigers are struggling.
05/24/2012 15:15 Indians need to follow swagger of closer Chris Perez
Chris Perez has been lights out since opening day. He also has been involved in two controversies. Yet he continues to produce while the Indians have a four-game lead in the AL Central. Maybe he's onto something.
05/24/2012 14:52 Indians win Verlander duel, sweep Tigers
Justin Masterson matched Justin Verlander pitch for pitch for first his career win over Detroit, and the first-place Cleveland Indians did just enough to beat the reigning AL MVP 2-1 Thursday and complete a three-game sweep of the underperforming Tigers.
Justin Verlander finally turned the corner from being one of the best to the best in 2011, securing his first Cy Young award with career-bests in wins (24), innings (251), ERA (2.40) and WHIP (0.92). Aiming to avoid the slow start that may have eliminated him from consideration in 2010, he put together a decent April but really turned it on with his second career no-hitter on May 7. From that point forward, he went 22-2 with a 2.08 ERA in 27 starts, pitching eight innings or more in 12 of them, seven innings or more in 23 of them and six innings or more in all of them. Given that he's almost neck-and-neck with Roy Halladay in innings over the last three years (715 1/3 vs. 723 1/3), you could argue Verlander's relative youth and strikeout-per-inning potential make him the best starting pitcher in Fantasy. Clayton Kershaw has a claim to the title as well, but the bottom line is if you make Verlander the first pitcher selected on Draft Day -- perhaps even in the first round -- nobody would bat an eye. (Updated 1/5/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start