As he searches for tweaks to turn his season around (he's now 2-3 with a 6.49 ERA), first-inning pitches are at the top of his list. He had 38 of them Tuesday, and they shaped the rest of his outing, during which he allowed seven runs on eight hits over five innings.
"I had to go to the gas pedal a little early in the game, and I think that's something I need to work on," Verlander said.