You can dissect statistics in a number of ways, and come to basically any conclusion you want in regard to many starting pitchers.
My point about Justin Verlander has long been to look beyond just the numbers, particularly his ERA, which has often been inflated before this year because he has usually started out poorly in the opening month.
Look more at his so-called "stuff."
Is there is a starting pitcher who throws harder? No. Does he have more than one better-than-average off-speed pitch? Yes.
Is he a scatter arm lacking command of the baseball? No. Is he tall and throw on a downward plane? Yes.
Is he athletic like many great pitchers? Yes. Does he have a competitive fire which determines he wins more than he loses. Yes. Verlander has a far better winning percentage than the Tigers have had otherwise as a team since he arrived in the major leagues to stay in 2006.
The fact, at 28 when he is just entering his prime, Verlander is dominating major league hitters shouldn't be a surprise.
He is that good. Or dare we say great?