Peavy Outpitches Verlander, Looking Toward a New Team

In his likely last start as a Chicago White Sox (40-59), righty Jake Peavy (8-4) made it a great one against the division-leading Detroit Tigers (56-45) on Thursday and helped his team win 7-4.

Jake Peavy

Peavy gave up four hits (three home runs) on four runs and seven strikeouts. He stayed until the eighth inning with one batter and when he exited the mound, he received a standing ovation from the home crowd.

Since he returned from the DL with a broken rib, Peavy has gone 2-0, giving up six earned runs over 13 innings.

Peavy has been the subject of trade rumors and on Thursday, he knew around 10 teams were in the crowd watching him to determine if he’ll land on their team. According to MLB.com, this included three teams in the playoff hunt: the Boston Red Sox, the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves.

The player has been with the White Sox since July 31, 2009 when the Sox acquired him from the San Diego Padres. Last October, he did re-sign for an additional two years with the team but he didn’t add in a no-trade clause as he hoped the 2013 team would be contenders.

Knowing a trade is looming, Peavy said on Thursday via MLB.com, “My gut feeling tells me I could be traded and I could be a part of this going forward. Either way, I’ll be OK. I’m a big boy and understand the situation.

I’ll be happy to stay here and be the best teammate I can be, grind it out the rest of the season and make sure we keep playing hard and show up to win every day. If I get traded, I’ll give the boys a big hug and I’m sure a few tears will be shed, leaving the friendships here.”

As for the Tigers, their Cy Young-winning pitcher, Verlander (10-8), didn’t fare as well on Thursday. In his six innings of pitching, he allowed seven runs with 11 hits. One of these included a home run by Tyler Flowers.

He did strike out four and walked two. In his two losses to the White Sox this season, combined, he’s given up 12 runs. With the consecutive losses, it represents a first for Verland since July 26-Sept. 14, 2008 when three straight occurred.

Justin Verlander

It’s been a rough year for Verlander as he’s given up a minimum of 5 runs in 27% of his starts. This compares to 2012’s 18% and 9% during 2011, according to ESPN stats.

But the Tigers showed him the money this spring when he signed a large contract essentially making him the largest-paid pitcher ever as he’ll see annual paydays of $28 million for the 2015-2019 seasons.

What will end his poor play or has he just peaked?

Looking ahead, the Tigers won three of four games in this series. They sit three games ahead of the Cleveland Indians (53-48) in the AL Central race. On Friday, the Tigers will open a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (49-53) on their home field.

They sit at +600 to win this year’s World Series.

For Friday’s game, righty Doug Fister (8-5) will take the mound vs. the lefty Phillies Cole Hamels (4-12). Should Hamel incur another loss, he’ll become the majors’ leader. The Tigers may have super star Miguel Cabrera back in the lineup and should get the win (-158, 8 o/u).

As for the White Sox, it’s been a tough year. They sit at the bottom of the division, 15 games back. In a rare summer, the team’s record is worse than its cross town foe, the Chicago Cubs (45-55). They at least have bragging rights they are not at the bottom of their division.

This weekend, the White Sox will host the Kansas City Royals (48-51) for a three-game series.

In Game 1, the home team will see their one-game win streak snapped with a Royals win (-110, 7.5 o/u).