RSS
It Was There All Along For Verlander
It would be easy to look at Justin Verlander's performance Monday night against the New York Yankees and ask the question, "Where has that been all year?"
In truth, it's been there all along. The 98 mph fastball. The breaking ball. The changeup. The difference Monday is that Verlander was able to sustain a high performance level for seven innings.
He is an immensely talented pitcher, a rare combination of a power arm, athleticism and feel for pitching - although it has been the last year-plus he has lost of his feel for pitching.
Verlander is still relatively young and is typical of even the most talented pitchers in that he is going through a period of adjustment. At his best, he trusts his fastball when in trouble. It was the different Monday night.
My Column for Tuesday On the Lions Draft:
http://tinyurl.com/c9yty7
In truth, it's been there all along. The 98 mph fastball. The breaking ball. The changeup. The difference Monday is that Verlander was able to sustain a high performance level for seven innings.
He is an immensely talented pitcher, a rare combination of a power arm, athleticism and feel for pitching - although it has been the last year-plus he has lost of his feel for pitching.
Verlander is still relatively young and is typical of even the most talented pitchers in that he is going through a period of adjustment. At his best, he trusts his fastball when in trouble. It was the different Monday night.
My Column for Tuesday On the Lions Draft:
http://tinyurl.com/c9yty7
posted by Pat Caputo at
9:53 PM
4 Comments:
I agree on Velander book. I tell you I think when there is a small sign of trouble us as detroit fans have a tendancy to over react fast. At the game yesterday I didn't know what to expect. I was hoping verlander would pitch well.. and Crabera would hit 4 grand slams (fantasy baseball purposes haha)
One thing I noticed about Verlander is that he actually pitched yesterday as oppose to just throwing. As a result he had awesome velocity, control, and location. Most importantly he got out of innings as oppose to rushing his pitches and taking 20 30 picthes to get out of an inning.
Overall you really have to like what the Tigers are doing. ONe thing one of your bloggers said earlier and I agree. I like the Josh Anderson fine. Yeah it maybe premature to suggest it but man he'd be one hell of a leadoff guy and I think the damage Curtis would do in the 5 or 6 whole would be outstanding...
As for the Pistons ... its clear nobody is untouchable. The only 2 guys that should any type of heart in my mind over the second half was McDyess and Bynum. TP lets face it he has never taken that next step. I think he is what it is. Average player at best. Rip was clearly affected by the Billups trade... Rasheed I think the AI trade affected him the most. Cause from Day 1 he was just an expiring contract and personally I think that took what ever if he had any left out of the Pistons sidelines. If I were the Pistons I would do what ever it took to get Bosh. Secondly I would love to have Ben Gordon and if that made a Rip or Stucky expendable I am fine with it. Hell and if you can add a Ty Lawson.. Who knows.. Or a Blair. Lastly I think we need to get another small forward would really help elevate this team. If I was Joe I would talk To McDyess and apologize to him for this year and do my best to convince him to stay. I think he has a lot in the tank and could offer us a bunch.
I realize Verlander's only human, and a young only human to boot, but for this squad to win the AL Central - we need last night's Verlander for to show up more than once in five starts.
I'm stunned the Tigers have done so well so far without, but then we are only a third of the way to Sparky's 40 game milestone.
But so far ... so good.
Maddog52,
I have a feeling the Pistons aren't going to get rid of Prince, but Hamilton might be available. Do they bring back Rasheed? If they don't get Boozier, who is going to be their big man?
Caputo
Fred Brill,
Last night's loss aside, the Tigers have played pretty well. Most of the games have been fun to watch. They have a chance in that sorry division. Don't see any team running away with it.
Caputo
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home