The set-up: Justin Verlander was able to beat the Mets 4-3 Friday night, as the former Cy Young and MVP winner continues his strong comeback. After opening 2-3 with 6.49 ERA after six starts, Verlander has now won his last five decisions and his record stands at 12-6 record, while cutting almost three full runs off his ERA (down to 3.52). Speaking of surging, that's exactly what the Tigers are doing, winning nine of 10 games while the Indians have cooled off. Detroit is now within two games of first-place Cleveland in the AL Central. Meanwhile, the Mets have fallen into third-place in the NL East, nine games back of the Nats. However, the Mets are a modest two games out for the NL's second wild card spot, so no one in that organization is giving up.

The pitching matchup: Logan Verrett (3-6, 4.20 ERA) takes the mound for New York, while Matt Boyd (2-2, 4.71 ERA) is Detroit's choice. Verrett's a second-year pitcher with 28 appearances in 2016 (just 10 starts). Injuries have forced his transition from the bullpen to the rotation and he's made four starts since the All-Star break. He owns a 3.86 ERA but has four no decisions (Mets are 1-3). In fact, Verrett has gone more than three months without a victory (last win came back on April 26 in relief). Detroit's Boyd will be making his 10th start in 11 appearances with the Tigers this season. He has done a decent job of filling in while Zimmermann and Norris recuperated but his spot in the rotation is hardly secure.

The pick: Verrett hasn't pitched all that poorly, often keeping his team in the game, but the results don't lie. The Mets won his first two starts of 2016 (both in mid-April) but over his last eight starting assignments, the Mets are 1-7! Meanwhile, Boyd was unbeaten in four July starts (he was 2-0 and Detroit 3-1) plus he has been more than solid at Comerica Park with a 2.63 ERA in five appearances (four starts). The Tigers are an 8* play.