Scherzer has turned into quite the choke artist in big games...his last game, elimination game, he literally melted down. Did the same when he pitched for the Tigers..
As a Tiger, Verlander lost a lot in preseason as well. As Denny McLain said, during his 30 win season (also 1968), he had no control over his teammates' getting runs. They scored runs off the opponents when McLain pitched and got him the wins.