San Francisco Giants fans will see Justin Verlander returning to pitch for Giants when he takes the mound Wednesday night against the Cleveland Guardians. This comes one day after fans watched Rafael Devers make his debut in a Giants uniform, marking an important moment in the ongoing interleague series.

Devers made an immediate impact Tuesday by recording a double, single, and an RBI, but despite his efforts, the Guardians held on for a 3-2 victory, thanks in part to a strong performance from their bullpen in the late innings.

Verlander’s Extensive History Against Cleveland

Verlander, who holds a 0-3 record with a 4.33 ERA in his current season, has deep experience facing Cleveland, having pitched 57 games against the Guardians—the highest number for any opponent in his career. Throughout these encounters, he has amassed a 24-24 win-loss record and a 4.42 ERA, reflecting a long-standing rivalry.

With 10 starts for the Giants under his belt, Verlander maintains a similar ERA but is yet to notch a win. Two of his three losses occurred in his last six outings, during which he never gave up more than three runs in a single game. His struggles have partially stemmed from limited offensive support, as the Giants managed only five runs total in those losses.

Return from Injury and Recent Performance

The veteran right-hander last pitched exactly one month ago in a home game against the Athletics, securing a 3-2 victory despite leaving after just four innings due to right pectoral soreness that eventually placed him on the injured list. Verlander now considers himself ready to come back, coinciding with the trade of his replacement Kyle Harrison to the Boston Red Sox, which also involved acquiring Rafael Devers.

It feels exciting. I’ve been pretty anxious wanting to pitch,

Verlander shared.

I feel like things were starting to trend in the right direction (before the injury), and hopefully I can pick up where I left off.

—Justin Verlander, Pitcher

Expectations for Offensive Support and Devers’ Contribution

The Giants hope that Devers can build on his impressive debut, which featured a productive RBI double in the third inning and a clutch single in the ninth that brought the tying run into scoring position. Although Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase held the bases loaded without allowing a run, Verlander is optimistic about the offensive boost Devers could bring throughout the season.

Anytime you can bring in a great player, I think the longer you can have him be an impact over the course of the season, the better,

Verlander remarked.

I’m a big fan of getting him in early.

—Justin Verlander, Pitcher

Guardians’ Key Players and Matchup Insights

Verlanders’ familiarity extends beyond the Guardians as a team; he has considerable experience pitching against their corner infielders Carlos Santana and Jose Ramirez. Santana has hit nine home runs off Verlander in their 97 meetings, while Ramirez boasts a .325 batting average with four homers in 40 official at-bats against him.

Looking to rebound from three consecutive losses in Seattle at the start of a nine-game road trip, Cleveland has called on southpaw Logan Allen (4-4, 4.28 ERA) to face off against Devers in a lefty-versus-lefty matchup that has largely favored Allen. To date, Allen has allowed only one hit—a single—in nine career at-bats versus Devers, striking out the slugger twice.

At 26 years old, Allen has pitched against the Giants twice during his three-year career, maintaining a 2.89 ERA without securing a decision in those games.

Implications for the Series and Season Ahead

Verlander’s return to the Giants’ rotation injects experience and skill as the team aims to improve its offense and turn the tides in this crucial interleague series. His extensive knowledge of the Guardians lineup and proven track record against their key hitters add a strategic edge for San Francisco.

Meanwhile, Cleveland looks to capitalize on their pitching matchups and recent momentum to maintain their winning ways on the road trip. The Wednesday night game promises to be a tightly contested battle with significant impact on both teams’ approaches moving forward this season.