TO CLOSE

The former Detroit Tigers pitcher, Justin Verlander, looks back on the many memorable moments he spent at Comerica Park on May 13, 2019.
Jeff Seidel, columnist for the Detroit Free Press

This is the game everyone wants to see – former teammates and future members of the Hall of Fame, once Detroit Tigers franchise – but Miguel Cabrera's health did not allow that to happen.

Which raises the question: is Cabrera afraid to face Justin Verlander?

"Who?" He said Wednesday afternoon. "Who is it?"

Miguel Cabrera, left, and pitcher Justin Verlander at Media Day in Lakeland, Florida on February 28, 2015. (Photo: Michael Wilson, the general ledger)

After his loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night, with a pain in his right knee at the end of the heat, Cabrera was out of the starting lineup for the series finale against Verlander.

"I'm pretty sure he was looking for a piece of Verlander," said director, Ron Gardenhire. "But sometimes it's not a good antidote for pain."

Cabrera "had a small sore last night with his knee," Gardenhire said.

"We will not push him back today," he said. "Let him spend a day. If you're a bit sore, you have to protect that guy, we've been saying it from the beginning, and we're not going to do it.

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Gardenhire said Cabrera had not dealt with the problem this season and may have had an MRI, although these tests are becoming more common, especially for a player the size of Cabrera.

"He just puffed up a bit last night," Gardenhire said. "It does not matter, he had done it before. I do not think he did anything, it's just part of it. "

Cabrera, 36, has a .282 record with a home run and 15 RBIs in 40 games this season.

He had missed both of Verlander's previous outings against the Tigers last season after fracturing his left biceps in early June. The two have faced each other only once before, during a live coaching session at the back fields in Lakeland, Florida, during the spring training. 2017.

When they finally meet, this will mark one of the best baseball games: Cabrera vs. Verlander will rank second among the most important substitutions among active players, according to Baseball-Reference.com.

Miguel Cabrera, left, and Justin Verlander laugh at an NBA playoff game at Oracle Arena on May 27, 2015 in Oakland. (Photo: Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)

The best combination is Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols versus Verlander. The two men face each other frequently, both playing in the Western Division of the American League.

Cabrera should not be put away for a long time.

He then confirmed to the free press that he knew Verlander well.

"He's my best friend," said Cabrera.

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Contact Anthony Fenech at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Learn more about the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our newsletter.