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A very defining game today for Justin Verlander. This is why
One game doesn't make a season, but the memories of opening day do tend to linger.
And that will be especially true today when Justin Verlander pitches for the Tigers.
I have been an ardent defender of Verlander. I feel he is definitely in the same class with the top starting pitchers in baseball, especially in comparison to Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum.
But April has been his Achilles Heel, and has quelled his overall statistics to the point Verlander hasn't been given his just due.
A couple stats:
1. Verlander has an 81-52 record the last five seasons. The Tigers are 424-387 over that same span. Verlander is 29 games above .500 in that period, the Tigers overall just 37.
They have been a much better than .500 team when Verlander pitches and is involved in the decision, and barely a .500 club under other circumstances.
2. Over that same period, Verlander is 7-11 with a 5.06 ERA during the opening month of the season.
If Verlander goes into that little ball park in the Bronx today and sticks it to the Yankees on national TV, it won't only help the Tigers get off to a good start, but will improve his status immensely, both locally and nationally.
And the perception will be just the opposite if it goes the other way - even if Verlander typically recovers and has another solid season.
And that will be especially true today when Justin Verlander pitches for the Tigers.
I have been an ardent defender of Verlander. I feel he is definitely in the same class with the top starting pitchers in baseball, especially in comparison to Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum.
But April has been his Achilles Heel, and has quelled his overall statistics to the point Verlander hasn't been given his just due.
A couple stats:
1. Verlander has an 81-52 record the last five seasons. The Tigers are 424-387 over that same span. Verlander is 29 games above .500 in that period, the Tigers overall just 37.
They have been a much better than .500 team when Verlander pitches and is involved in the decision, and barely a .500 club under other circumstances.
2. Over that same period, Verlander is 7-11 with a 5.06 ERA during the opening month of the season.
If Verlander goes into that little ball park in the Bronx today and sticks it to the Yankees on national TV, it won't only help the Tigers get off to a good start, but will improve his status immensely, both locally and nationally.
And the perception will be just the opposite if it goes the other way - even if Verlander typically recovers and has another solid season.
Labels: Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers Tim Lincecum Cliff Lee
posted by Pat Caputo at
9:09 AM
1 Comments:
The key I believe is our line-up getting to Sabathia earlier - and the guys from the 6th to 9th spot in the lineup keeping the inning alive to get back to the top of the line up.
Verlander will do his job - he needs the offensive support this afternoon (in 50 minutes from now).
Baseball's back.
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