South Portland’s Charlie Furbush will get the ball tonight in Anaheim, Calif., for the first start of his Major League Baseball career with the Detroit Tigers, returning to the role he’s known his whole career.

He will leave nothing to chance.

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CHARLIE FURBUSH

“I don’t want to ever forget about the things that got me here that have made me successful on the mound,” said Furbush. “The times when I’ve left some pitches up, the hitters here at the major league level have hit them.”

Furbush, a 6-foot-5 lefty, has pitched 21 2/3 innings of relief since being recalled from Triple-A Toledo on May 21, and was promoted to the starting rotation of the AL Central leading Tigers on Thursday.

Some family members plan to fly out, including his dad Craig Furbush, and older brother Jon Furbush, the basketball coach at Bates College, both of whom have awaited this day.

“I kind of figured this was going to happen at some point in the year and was thinking by the All-Star break,” said Jon Furbush. “I don’t think it will be hard for him to jump right in. He’s got the stamina to be a starter.”

Furbush will face an Angels lineup that is hitting a collective .257, with a .387 slugging percentage.

He’s given up just six earned runs on 19 hits and 9 walks in 12 appearances.

He said it’s been a constant learning experience.

“Part of it is learning the day-in, day-out how it all works,” said Furbush. “I have learned a lot. It’s been a good experience.

“The one thing I’ve always done is really try and talk to as many guys as I can. Be as friendly as I can and be a good teammate. I feel like we’ve got a good group of guys which is really important.”

Furbush’s star has been on the rise since being drafted in 2007 after a college career at St. Joseph’s College and Louisiana State.

But none more than this spring when his 55 strikeouts for Toledo led the International League at the time of his recall. He replaced lefty Brad Thomas in the bullpen who had been placed on the disabled list.

Furbush made his debut in Detroit on May 23 in a 6-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. He entered the game for the injured Phil Coke and pitched 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win.

His promotion Thursday came as Coke was sent back to the bullpen.

“I was in the bullpen (Thursday) but I’ll be in the dugout now,” said Furbush. “I was happy to help the team in any which way I can. But I’m definitely excited to start, too.”