"News and views as the Tigers two-step toward Texas for this weekend's American League Championship Series finale — one way or the other — at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington after the Tigers defeated the Rangers, 7-5, Thursday at Comerica Park.

News: Justin Verlander throws 133 pitches, wins a last-breath home game for the Tigers.

Views: He put some extra luster on that Cy Young Award he'll no doubt be winning in 41/2 weeks. As for those white-towel wavers who were chanting "MVP, MVP" when Verlander did anything remotely heroic Thursday, they probably were on to something.

The ace appreciated it. Verlander isn't a hat-tipper when he walks from the field and gets one of those home-cooked standing ovations. Thursday, he waved his gloved hand at the crowd as the cheers rolled.

"I don't like to do that in the middle of a ballgame," he said, meaning if a game isn't over, it's a little early for curtain calls. "But when they show their support that way, you can't help but give them a little tip of the cap, or a wave, or something, because they've been tremendous all year and they're one of the reasons we're here now.""