RSS
Way Too Much Panic Over Verlander
This one comes from the land of lost perspective. It involves Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander. He did not pitch well in his last two starts. And they rested him for a start because he had a tired arm. And it is as if his career has come to an end - or something equally ridiculous. Or at least in the minds of so many people - too many - it means he is not going to pitch well for awhile. Nothing could be further from the truth. Talk about skewed expectations. Verlander is not only a rookie, this is just his second professional season. It is true. He was the second overall selection in the 2004 draft, but it was based more on raw ability than his track record. As a college pitcher, he was just 21-18 against suspect competition. What Verlander has done this season is remarkable. He is 14-6 with a 3.14 ERA. What more do you want? Even his loss to the Red Sox Wednesday was amazing in that he could not throw either of his off-speed pitches with any effectiveness, nor spot his fastball - and he nearly got away with it. Remember, he lost these last two games at Chicago and Boston, against very potent lineups in small ball parks. Although he is roughly the same age as Jeremy Bonderman, Verlander does not have nearly four seasons in the major leagues under his belt like Bondo. He has not won more than 200 games during his major league career - the way Kenny Rogers has. The kid needs room to grow. Tigers manager Jim Leyland will give him that. Tiger fans would be wise to calm down and do the same.
Random thoughts
- Is there anything more annoying than the Lions - Charles Rogers saga? Enough already. Either play the guy or cut him. This charade has gone long enough. For a franchise that vows to avoid distractions, they are sure letting this one dictate to them.
- I love the Michigan State offense. And for reasons more than quarterback Drew Stanton. Running back Javon Ringer is a terrific player. Too bad the Spartans defense will likely continue to be underwhelming.
If the Tigers season ended today, I would cast my vote for Tiger of the Year for Carlos Guillen. He just might be the most underrated player in the American League.
posted by Pat Caputo at
2:48 AM
19 Comments:
Pat,
I'm very disappointed in your blog today. I was expecting your review of Snakes on a Plane, I refuse to believe you weren't at the midnight showing last night. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait for Monday's blog.
Lions - The question should just be "Is there anything more annoying than the lions?"
Tigers - While I tend to agree with you, any time i see a mention of the cubbies and prior or wood, it scares the hell out of me. I think we really need to treat him with kid gloves until playoffs though, giving him more than adequate rest. Its one thing to pitch a full rookie season, but then to have to be the number 2 guy in october is just a load of innings.
Zumaya - was at a game last week, zumaya came in in the 7th or 8th. Absolutely awesome. The crowd slowly starts going crazy around the bullpen, and just envlopes the entire stadium until it the entire place is on its feet screaming. Watching the effect that guy has on the crowd is phenomenal.
I agree Pat. Verlander will be just fine. The postseason may be different, but I'm excited at even getting the opportunity to see him pitch then!
I took a couple of things from his last start as promising. His fastball in the first 3 innings was anywhere from 91-94 MPH, which is fine. Then, after realizing he couldn't throw any offspeed pitch for a strike, he had no problems amping it up to 98-99. At least that dispelled any notion that his arm is still tired.
I look to see the Verlander of June/July Monday night against the dreaded White Sox!
Mr.C. Read this am Casey has 9 rbi in his last 9 games. Did Verlander ask for a rest? Why did the tigers get rid of Wells? Vinny
nick,
wood and prior have become the poster children for pitchers who flashed across the sky and got hurt. yet, it is often forgotten those two did pitch the cubbies deep into the post season. and while it's true those two were injured long-term, smoltz, avery and glavine didn't for awhile for the braves. neither did hudson, zito and mulder for the a's. it could happen, but it doesn't have to happen. it's as if verlander is so good, people can't believe the tigers' good fortune and are waiting for something bad to happen.
caputo
anonymous,
his next start will be very interesting. the white sox seem to have verlander's number for some reason, but i do like his chances better at comerica park than in chicago.
caputo
vinny,
verlander didn't necessarily ask for a rest, but told them some things about how his arm felt. so they rested him as a precaution. every starting pitcher's arm is sore this time of the season. the veterans know the difference between the normal soreness than an injury. having not been through this before, verlander is still feeling his way through that process.
caputo
gogetemdetroittigers,
they have added some seats at fenway on top of the green monster and done some other renovations. the press box is higher now than when i first went there because they added suites. but those changes aren't that noticeable at first glance. it is just a unique place. the real beauty is the fans haven't changed. they are really into baseball in boston and it's great to see. maybe we're on our way to being that way again around here. don't be so tough on mikey. dombrowski has obviously done some great things and is a very good general manager, but he has made his share of mistakes along the way, too.
caputo
Mr.Caputo i forgot to ask you about the long hr Mr. Clevlen hit the other nite. Not being familiar with the area would you give us some idea how far the ball traveled. Funny thing about him he looks a bit like Ted Williams in photos from 1940. (my doctor says i am so old don't buy any green bannans.) Vinny
I tried to get through to you guys friday at 3.20pm without success. I'm guessing but a high % of homes here in canada have pirate TV. I watch the tigers on Fsn. If bell exspress view offered what direct tv or dish we would buy canadian and not steal the siginal! We don't steal anything we pay for the signal when it's shot down and when we need a fix. If Bell Canada offered a program as good a s you people enjoy no one would pirate the signal. Canada's Suprime Court favoured Bell 5 to 4.,,Don't quote me on that figure! Vinny
Pat,
I'm not worried about Verlander, inspite of diminished results against 2 very good teams in the last outings. However far the Tigers go, he has had an outstanding season. I don't worry because my confidence in Leyland keeps rising. I just think he'll use him right the rest of this surprising year. Thanks for the Verlander overview; good stuff!
I expect the Tigers to win the Central, and probably get through the 1st round. I'm not sure that they'll get by the White Sox, but I'll remain more optimistic than realist. Should the Tigers fall in the 1st round; big deal. Welcome back to competitive baseball, thanks for all the thrills, and better luck next year; better than another losing season by far.
Charles Rogers... it appears that the Lions are just out to punish him. Nobody gets it. I figure Millen must be losing some influence, because if Rogers and Mike Williams get cut, it certainly makes him look foolish. Hmmm... maybe that's been implied before!?! I'd rather have seen them get outplayed by the lesser receivers, but this pre-season has been beyond understanding.
Carlos Guillen is my choice for Tiger MVP, as well. I think he should be named as captain next spring. When was the last time the Tigers had a captain?
Dmitri Young would be my comeback player; all for his focus, since he began rehabilitation. I wasn't sure he had it in him. Last season he began with 3 homers. The way things are going, he could very well end the last game Detroit plays with 3.
Most Surprizing Tiger... Brent Clevlen
Seems like everyone is hyping the Michigan State offense a ton this year...Including myself. Their WRs are tops in the Big Ten, Stanton is a Heisman caliber player and they are loaded at the RB position with Javon, Jehu and Jimmerson...Yet their offensive line is horrible and their defense looks like Utica Eisenhowers JV Team...It is too bad all that talent is going to go to waste
Signed
6-6 Season
What is happening to Verlander is similar to what he went though earlier in the season in my opinion. With the exception of one start, his pitching in June was shaky at times then he ripped off about 4 in a row with his last start in June and into July.
His June starts were:
Yankees 5 innings, 6 earned runs (ND)
White Sox 6 innings, 5 earned runs (Loss)
Tampa Bay 6 innings, 2 earned runs (ND)
Cubs 5.2 innings, 1 earned run (Win) (Allowed 9 hits)
St.Louis 6 innings 4 earned runs (Win)
Houston 8 innings 0 earned runs (Win)
It was from this start that he dominated in July. So there has been some rough patches already for him this season, it's just that when he struggled the team was able to win a couple of the games.
His velocity seems to be about where it should be and he doesn't appear to have altered his motion so at this point there doesn't seem to be an injury problem. As you pointed out Pat, he's young there are going to be some ups and downs as he learns more. One of the biggest difficulties I think he has is an almost hyper mentality when he throws. He often times gets it and throws it and starts rushing his pitching mechanics. When things are going well, he's dominant. When he's struggling with his control, it makes it worse. I'd like to see him slow down a little bit and concentrate a bit more. As long as he maintains a faster pace than Fernando Rodney I think that might help him a bit more when he's struggling.
muhme,
love the college football talk...the spartans receivers are pretty good, but not the best in the conference. i agree about their defense. it is not going to be good. state's offensive line is not that bad. they have good replacements going in who are more talented, if less experienced, than the players they are replacing. but 6-6 seems more than possible. probable is more like it. drew stanton is the obvious "x" factor.
caputo
atomicrod,
your point about the quickness verlander works at is an interesting one. most people would say it is good - and in general i think it is - but in his case, is he letting the game get too fast for him?
caputo
garold,
the idea of making guillen captain isn't a bad one, but i honestly don't know if the tigers have ever had a captain. most baseball teams don't. young is an obvious comeback candidate, but i would vote for magglio ordonez.
caputo
vinny,
i don't think television can do justice to how hard and far clevlen hit that ball. it was one of the most impressive home runs i have seen. i'll miss hockey night in canada, but tsn does a pretty good job, too. i get the center ice package, though. if i didn't, i would obviously feel different about it.
caputo
Pat as I sit here in the studio doing the meathead show I can't believe your saying that it will be OK for the Tigers to get waxed in the first round of the playoffs. You can't finish with the best record in baseball and get waxed in the first round and accept that! Remember Patrick, as a great scholar once said "WITH RANK COMES RESPONSIBILITY" Somehow I can't imagine the Book writing in HIS column Hey Tiger fans I know you had a great season and got your butt's waxed in the playoff's but it's OK Tiger Baseball is back. Hm, I'll wait patiently for your column!
SpinDawg
SpinDawg,
wow, marc, thanks for posting on my blog. of course, i don't agree with anything you wrote. but that's ok. i, more than any member of the media, am acutely aware of that blocked six field goals in your nfl career - all with your face. now that is sacrificing for the team, my friend and i admire you for it.
caputo
Johnny 500,
they haven't played well recently, but that's what is good about having a cushion. they are still 5 1-2 games up in the division. they need to right the ship as soon as possible, but i see a collapse as being more unlikely than probable.
caputo
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home