It’s Justin Verlander Day. On May 29, 2011, it was also Justin Verlander Day and JV tossed 7.2 shutout innings in a win against these same Bahhston Red Sox. History bears repeating.

Lineups after the jump: 

Tigers (JUSTIN VERLANDER – R)

Red Sox (D. Bard – R)

The Tigers were supposed to be without Delmon Young tonight, because he had a date in court in New York, but he made it back to Boston in time for batting practice and was a late insertion into the lineup. Don Kelly got the heave-ho. In his last 14 games, Young is hitting .300/.327/.847 with two homers.

Dustin Pedroia is not in the lineup for the Sox due to a jammed thumb. That’s not the kind of injury a scrappy player like himself should be missing games for, but it might turn out much more serious than that. The Tigers’ nemesis Nick Punto will start instead.

Bard is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA against the Tigers in his career, but that’s all from work out of the bullpen. It doesn’t matter, because Justin Verlander is pitching.