Austin Konenski
The 2026 MLB season is underway, and Detroit Tigers fans can’t wait for Justin Verlander‘s first start in Comerica Park. After being traded to the Houston Astros in 2017, Verlander returned to Detroit on a one-year, $13 million contract. The three-time Cy Young Award winner will be the Tigers’ fourth starter in the rotation.
Verlander’s first start as a Tiger since 2017 will come on Monday, March 30, against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 10:10 p.m. ET. However, when will Verlander make his first start in Comerica Park during the 2026 MLB regular season? The Tigers have confirmed the 43-year-old’s first start in Detroit.
Verlander will make his first home start in Detroit on Sunday, April 5, against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team confirmed. The Tigers will be on Sunday Night Baseball, meaning Jason Benetti and the NBC crew will call Verlander’s return to Detroit in primetime at 7:20 p.m. ET.
It will be an emotional night for Detroit fans, as Verlander finally makes his long-awaited return to Comerica Park. This will be the two-time World Series champion’s second start of the 2026 season, so Tigers fans will have to wait a bit longer to see him at home.
Every start for Verlander, whether it’s on the road or at Comerica Park, will be a must-see event. There was a time when Detroit fans didn’t know if Verlander would ever pitch for the Tigers again. Now, with at least one more year left, the 43-year-old pitcher will try his best to continue his momentum from the 2025 MLB season.
Verlander might not be an ace at this point in his MLB career, but Tigers fans are very excited to see him pitch every five days in 2026.
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