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(SportsNetwork. Mike Williams Youth Jersey .com) - Justin Verlander can put a seasons worth of frustration behind him on Saturday, as he tries to give the Detroit Tigers a commanding two games to none lead over the Oakland Athletics in the best-of-five American League Division Series at O.co Coliseum. Verlander nowhere near resembled the pitcher who not only won an AL Cy Young back in 2011, but was also the leagues MVP. The hard-throwing righty never got into a groove and ended the year 13-12 with his highest ERA (3.46), lowest strikeout rate (23.5 percent) and lowest innings total (218 1/3) since 2008, while battling reduced velocity. "I honestly dont look at myself any differently. We arent robots, things arent always perfect, and this is a season that opened my eyes to that fact," said Verlander, who didnt allow a run over his last two starts and pitched to a 2.27 ERA in September. "The last couple of years came pretty easy to me, right from the Spring Training, from the jump street, it was like, OK, my pitches are good, go from here. "This year wasnt like that. I would fix something and that would cause a kink in the chain, and I would fix that. It was a matter of getting myself to where I need to do be. It was a year-long battle. Im not going to lie. This is something I worked on from early in the season until a couple of weeks ago, and I felt like the last couple of starts were where I needed to be. Its funny that it took all year, but hopefully I figured it out and peaking at the right time." Verlander, of course, tossed a shutout in Game 5 versus the As last year in the ALDS, but he has been pretty pedestrian in the postseason, pitching to a 4.22 ERA in 12 starts. Even with the off year from Verlander, the Tigers starting staff still led the AL in almost every major category. A big reason for that was the play of Max Scherzer, who put forth a Cy Young caliber season of his own with a major league-best 21 wins. Scherzer was again on the mark in Game 1 on Friday, as he allowed two runs and struck out 11 over seven innings in Detroits 3-2 win. Miguel Cabreras RBI single highlighted Detroits three-run first, which was more than enough cushion for the 21-game winner Scherzer (1-0), who surrendered just three hits. "I thought Scherzer was pretty well locked in all night, he was awful determined," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland. "I think he was thrilled to get Game 1, I think it meant a lot to him." Victor Martinez tallied two hits and a run scored, while Alex Avila added a pair of hits and an RBI for the defending AL-champion Tigers. Teams have gone up 2-0 in the ALDS 22 times and advanced in 18 of them. Bartolo Colon (0-1), whose 18 regular-season wins were second-best in the AL, yielded three runs on 10 hits over six innings. Colon never got a chance to pitch in last years ALDS. He served a 50-game ban for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Yoenis Cespedes smacked a two-run homer and a triple, accounting for two of Oaklands three hits against Scherzer. The As struck out 16 times. On Saturday the As will turn to rookie right-hander Sonny Gray, who was terrific down the stretch. Gray was 5-3 overall on the season, but 3-1 in September with a 2.79 ERA in five starts. "Its something you really look forward to, growing up, and hopefully someday you get a chance to do it," Gray said. "Fortunately for me, this is my second, maybe third month in the big leagues and Im getting to start a playoff game. There are a lot of guys in this game who said they wished theyd gotten the opportunity and they just havent been on a playoff team. Im very fortunate and Im just going to try and go out there and make the most of it." Gray has never faced the Tigers, but pitched to a 1.90 ERA in six home starts and struck out 38 batters over 40 2/3 innings of those outings. "The problem with Sonny Gray," said Leyland, "is we dont know much about him, other than what weve seen on TV." Detroit, which lost four of seven games against the As during the season, has beaten Oakland the last two times these teams have met in the postseason. The As only win against the Tigers in the playoffs came in the 1972 ALCS, which started a run of three consecutive world titles for Oakland. Game 3 will be in Detroit on Monday. Antonio Gates Womens Jersey . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. Easton Stick Womens Jersey . He wants to seize that opportunity. The trouble is, Firus has had more bumps on the road to Sochi than most. Last year, Firus had the skate of a lifetime in the short program at the Canadian championships when he landed his first triple Axel in competition and finished third in a stacked field. http://www.prochargersteamstore.com/Youth-Dan-Fouts-Elite-Jersey/ . Ramon, 30, played in a career-high 97 games with the Goldeyes in 2013. He also matched a career-high eight home runs and posted 52 RBI.ATLANTA - While the Braves search for a new general manager continues, a new management team already is taking shape.Braves president John Schuerholz, interim general manager John Hart and special assistant to the GM Bobby Cox are searching for the full-time replacement for Frank Wren, who was fired as GM last month.Hart already has made several moves this month that might be expected to come from a full-time GM. He announced manager Fredi Gonzalez will return. Hart also named Roy Clark and Gordon Blakeley as special assistants to the GM.Among other moves, Brian Bridges was promoted to scouting director and Dave Trembley was named director of player development. Schuerholzs son, Jonathan Schuerholz, was named assistant director of player development.John Schuerholz provided a simple answer when asked why the hires and promotions were announced before a full-time GM was named.Because they made us better, Schuerholz said Wednesday in an email to The Associated Press.Schuerholz said last month Harts only interest was in the interim position. Schuerholz said Wednesday nothing hass changed substantially since that time. Easton Stick Jersey. Schuerholz wouldnt say when he expects to name the GM.It is a process that will continue until we have finalized our new structure, he said.Hart said last month assistant GM John Coppolella, 36, would be considered. Another possible candidate is Kansas City GM Dayton Moore.When he was named the interim GM, Hart said he would lean heavily on Coppolella.Hell be the guy I go to, the right-hand guy, Hart said.Hart said Coppolella is a very bright executive.Clark, 57, spent 22 years as a top scout with the Braves before serving as Washingtons assistant general manager from 2010 to 2013. He worked last season in the Dodgers scouting department.Blakeley, 60, was with the Yankees for more than two decades, including as farm director.The hires prompted speculation Schuerholz already has selected a full-time GM.Even former Braves third baseman Chipper Jones seemed to be intrigued. Jones said Wednesday on his Twitter account: Amazing that all these people are coming BACK to the Braves organization! Wonder why??? Hmmmmm. ' ' '