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Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

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Niemann vs. Verlander: Must see TV

Posted Aug 22, 2011 by Roger Mooney

Updated Aug 22, 2011 at 03:43 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG Hard not to get excited about tonight’s matchup between Justin Verlander, who leads the majors with 18 wins, and Jeff Niemann, who is 7-0 in his 10 starts since returning from the disabled list.

I’m not sure what else is on TV today, but barring a Kardashian marathon on E!, the Trop may just very well be the place to be.

“It doesn’t sound like a bad thing to do on a Monday night,” Niemann said of his matchup with the Tigers’ ace.

A win tonight and Verlander becomes the fastest to 19 wins in Detroit history since Mickey Lolich needed 114 games in 1972.

A win tonight and Niemann sets the club record for the longest winning streak by a starter. He is currently tied with Mark Hendrickson and Wade Davis. This is the second time Niemann has won seven straight decisions.

While most of the baseball world is looking at Verlander in this matchup, the Rays are excited about their chances tonight with Niemann on the hill.

“Absolutely, when Jeffery is on top of his game, which he is right now, I’ll put him up against anybody,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

While acknowledging Verlander’s reputation, Maddon doesn’t think he’s overselling his guy.

“On any given day, if that’s the matchup seven days in a row, I don’t know how that’s all going to turn out,” Maddon said. “Jeff’s that good, too.”

Niemann, arguably the Rays most consistent pitcher from the start of 2009 until he developed a strained throwing shoulder last August, is back to his pre-injury form.

That Verlander is capable of throwing a no-hitter every start – he already has one and narrowly missed another – doesn’t phase the Rays.

“We face good pitching all the time,” Maddon said. “Our division is normally chock-full of really good pitching. In order to be successful you have to really embrace those moments and don’t run away from them. You got to really want to be a part of that, and after all, if you’re going to play in the playoffs you’re going to see that every night. That group that really wants to say, ‘Oh my god, so-and-so is pitching. It’s going to be a tough night.’ That team’s not going anywhere. You got to say. ‘Yeah that guy’s pitching. He’s tough. We can beat him.”

First pitch is 7:10 p.m.