Justin Verlander: Victorino 'looking to get hit'

The Guru
Contributing Writer

(Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

Red Sox right-fielder Shane Victorino is used to getting hit by pitches. He led the league with 18 HBPs during the regular season and has been hit five times in seven playoff games this year, a MLB record.

That doesn't mean he likes it.

Victorino said,

"Trust me, I don't want to jump in front of a 95 mph fastball. That's not what I'm trying to do."

However, Detroit Tigers Game 3 starter Justin Verlander may have added some fuel to the fire.

Verlander told ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes on Monday,

"I've seen some pitches that he (Victorino) got hit on that were strikes. Anything on the inner half, occasionally he’s looking to get hit. He’s up there, he’s right on top of the plate. And his arms are over the batter’s box and over part of the plate. If he doesn’t get out of the way, there could be an occasion that it could be a strike and it actually hits him.”

Victorino was asked about Verlander's comments and told Evan Drellich of MassLive.com,

"I'm not going to alter my approach and nor do I expect a pitcher to change theirs. Other than the fact, the only part that disappoints me in that quote, he thinks I'm getting hit by strikes. If he can prove to me and show me which one he thought was a strike that was a legitimate strike that I got hit on, then — but as I said, I'm not mad. Hey, it is what it is."

First pitch between the Tigers and Red Sox is set for 4:00 pm EST Tuesday. Any takers on the over/under when Victorino gets hit?

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