GIF: Justin Verlander throws Kate Upton a baseball between innings

Justin Verlander took a page out of A-Rod's playbook Monday: when the going gets tough, flirt with a fan during the game at Yankee Stadium. 

Fortunately for Verlander, he knows her.

The Detroit Tigers' struggling right-hander was captured on ESPN's broadcast throwing a baseball to Kate Upton between innings during Monday's series opener against the New York Yankees.

[Courtesy ESPN via @cjzero]

At least if Verlander's struggles continue, we have our narrative.