Ben Verlander is an unapologetic fan of the Tigers. He also has been a critic of Tigers president Scott Harris, particularly the lack of impact moves Harris made at this year’s trade deadline.

Verlander threw more gasoline on his fire following the Tigers’ 6-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, which cut Detroit’s lead over Cleveland in the American League Central to an unbelievable 1.5 games.

Verlander said the Tigers should’ve traded for his brother, former Tigers ace Justin Verlander.

“I don’t think the Tigers would be in this position had Scott Harris pursued Justin at the trade deadline,” Ben Verlander, a former Tigers prospect who now host a popular podcast, wrote on X on Saturday afternoon. Ben Verlander capped the post with a shrugging emoji.

Justin Verlander, who spent 2005-17 with the Tigers during his sure-fire Hall-of-Fame career, has seemed open to a return with the Tigers ― and younger brother Ben, certainly in the know, has occasionally stumped for a reunion ― since he was dealt away to the Houston Astros late in the 2017 season. But there have been zero indications that Detroit has pursued Verlander, either before this season or ahead of the trade deadline.

Previously: Ben Verlander rips Tigers’ efforts at trade deadline: ‘What are we doing?’

Verlander, 42, signed a one-year, $15-million contract with the San Francisco Giants before the 2025 season, and is 3-10 with a 3.75 ERA. He is 2-0 with an 0.87 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 24 innings over his last five starts for the Giants, who didn’t trade him at the deadline, and are clinging to life in the National League wild-card race.

Before the season, the Tigers signed Alex Cobb to a one-year, $15-million contract, and Cobb never pitched for Detroit. Ahead of the trade deadline, the Tigers traded for Chris Paddack, who has been demoted to the bullpen, and Charlie Morton, who has almost certainly thrown his last pitch for Detroit after getting shelled on Friday.

Paddack and Morton have a combined 6.59 ERA over 20 appearances, including 15 starts.

The Tigers have lost five straight and eight of their last nine games, and have seen a 14-game lead in the AL Central ― and a 15.5-game lead over the Guardians ― dwindled to 1.5 games, with Cleveland playing later Saturday night with a chance to make it just one game. The Tigers have seven games left, including three against the Guardians.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984