That's the Justin Verlander we've come to know

I suspected we’d see a Justin Verlander groove today.

He might just be in it now.

The Tigers ace blew away the first two hitters in the Red Sox third inning, striking out Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Mike Aviles — that’s three K’s in a row, going back to the second inning.

He then capped the 1-2-3 inning by getting Jacoby Ellsbury to ground weakly to first base. Prince Fielder bobbled it momentarily, but still had plenty of time to flip to Verlander covering for the out.

It was a 14-pitch inning for Verlander. Nice bounceback. He needed 20 to get through the second.

Due up for the Tigers in the bottom of the third: Peralta, Avila, Santiago.

Tony Paul is The Detroit News' national baseball writer. Check out his columns every Monday and Thursday throughout the season.

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