Main event in Detroit: Justin Verlander vs. Jered Weaver

Reporting from Detroit â€”  Now that the three-game undercard is over in Detroit, it’s time to turn our attention to Sunday’s main event, a heavyweight matchup between the Tigers’ Justin Verlander and the Angels’ Jered Weaver.

It may be the best pitching matchup of the season and one that could influence voting for the American League Cy Young Award.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. And we’ll see what the outcome is,� said Weaver, who has won his last eight decisions.

The tale of the tape is impressive. The pitchers are tied for second in the majors with 14 wins, and Weaver has the lowest earned-run average in baseball at 1.79 (Verlander is fourth at 2.34). And Verlander leads the American League in strikeouts with 179.

Plus the two are hardly strangers, having played together on the U.S. team in the 2003 Pan American Games, where they won silver medals.

“Fast-forward eight years, and we’re both competing for the Cy Young Award,� said Verlander, who has won 10 of his last 12 starts. “I think we both as individuals would have envisioned ourselves one day doing that. But I don’t think anybody would’ve envisioned both of us doing it at the same time.�

But for all their similarities, Weaver and Verlander — both of whom are 28 — have different styles. The Tigers right-hander is a hard thrower whose fastball regularly hits triple digits. Weaver relies on a soft fastball and a variety of breaking pitches, all of which he can throw for strikes.

And although Verlander talks openly about the Cy Young Award, Weaver winces when the subject is raised.

“I don’t want to put that pressure on myself,� he said. “I don’t need that notoriety. I don’t need that stuff. That’s not what I play this game for.

“I play it for the love of the game and to go out there and compete every day.�

The Tigers have been hyping the matchup for days in the local media, and a sellout crowd is likely.

“It’ll be a fun one to watch,� Angels starter Dan Haren said.

Trade talk

With Sunday’s trade deadline looming, the Angels have reportedly turned their attention to middle- and late-inning relief help. But Manager Mike Scioscia said he and General Manager Tony Reagins have not discussed Colorado’s Rafael Betancourt, one pitcher the team has been linked to.

“His name has not come up in any conversations I’ve had with Tony,� Scioscia said.

That doesn’t mean the Angels aren’t interested, though — especially now that another sought-after reliever, Baltimore’s Koji Uehara, has been dealt to the Texas Rangers. But it is looking increasingly doubtful that the Angels will make any significant move before the deadline.

Teams have until 1 p.m. Pacific time Sunday to make deals. Teams can still trade after that, but the process becomes a bit more complicated since players must clear waivers before they can change teams.

Abreu about to get richer

After going two for four with a walk Saturday, Bobby Abreu needs only four plate appearances to trigger a $9-million contract option for next season.

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