I find the Justin Verlander "value" bandwagon to be somewhat disingenuous based on the perception of him in the past.
While it's true, Verlander has taken a step forward this season, his "value" to the Tigers has been considerable for quite some time. He was underrated. Consider:
From 2006 through 2010, Verlander compiled an 83-50 record. The Tigers overall during that same time period were 424-387.
Simply put, the Tigers were 37 games above .500 overall. Yet, they were just four games above .500 in decisions not involving Verlander.
He's been a terrific pitcher a long time. Among the best. He just hasn't really gotten credit for it until this year.

The last two nights have been awful for the Tigers. Their lead over Cleveland is down to two games in the American League Central. The White Sox have remained in the race - despite themselves. They are only four back.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland, the first two games after receiving a contract extension, has played odd lineups. Wilson Betemit didn't start Tuesday, Jhonny Peralta didn't start Wednesday. The Tigers had an off day Monday.
The Tigers have lost 13 games in a row at Cleveland.
But there is hope. It comes in the form of Justin Verlander, who starts tonight for the Tigers. He's not only 16-5, but of his 16 victories, 12 have come following Tigers losses. He did down Cleveland earlier this season when the two teams entered the game tied for first place.
Many times this season, Verlander has saved series for the Tigers. That would never be more true than if he wins this game.
He should. Verlander easily has the best fastball in the major leagues right now. He can 100 mph any time he wants. Ubaldo Jiminez, who beat the Tigers Wednesday, has a very good fastball, too, but it doesn't compare - despite what some of the statistical studies may say about him throwing consistently harder than Verlander in recent years.
Tigers win tonight, they have a three-game lead - and all is well. They lose - and panic would set in given their second-half track record in recent years. The lead will be down to one precious game.
It's on Verlander tonight. Pressure? Not really for Verlander himself. More on the Indians who will be facing the best pitcher in baseball.

My column in Friday's Oakland Press: http://bit.ly/lkWU2A

Justin Verlander has essentially passed every test this season.
His April wasn't great, but not the complete disaster of past years. Despite a stellar record, he wasn't getting respect as one of baseball's top pitchers because his ERA was relatively high.
This season, his ERA is down.
Verlander has been a threat to throw a no-hitter in multiple starts - and did accomplish the feat for the second time in his career at Toronto.
There were screams from Detroit fans that he wasn't a true ace. But how can that be when seven of his 10 wins have come following Tigers' losses this season - and an eighth broke a tie for first place in the American League Central with Cleveland - and was against the Indians?
Today, however, facing the New York Mets at Comerica Park, will be Verlander's most meaningful start of the season.
The Tigers' pitching has been hammered for 30 runs in the first two games of the series by the Mets. It got so bad Wednesday night, utility man Donald Kelly had to take the mound to get the final out.
Compounding the issue: Verlander was pounded by the Mets in two innings of work in a 14-6 Tigers' loss at New York last season. It';s the only time he has faced the Mets in his career.
Oh, and American League Central rivals Cleveland, Chicago and Minnesota all won Wednesday.
The Tigers need Verlander more than ever today. We'll see if he delivers.
It's the type of outing that could determine - one way or another - how much support for the Cy Young Award he ultimately receives.

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?

With Justin Verlander, everything is relative. If it were merely about being a good pitcher, the expectations wouldn't be so high. Verlander is supposed to be great because he is a special talent.
He lived up to them Sunday night. The Tigers were reeling. The Red Sox had been playing exceptionally well. Verlander was up against one of the better starting pitchers in baseball, Josh Beckett. Verlander shut the door on the Red Sox, winning a close game. He had lost a similar outing in Boston not long before.
What a great starter does, is provide impetus for the team. He stops losing streaks. He lets everyone know the bad times can't last that long because he is going to get the ball every fifth day.
Verlander did that Sunday.
In his career, Verlander has a combined record of 31-13 in June and July - the most critical time of the year for deciding which clubs are in the pennant race. He needs to continue that trend in order for the Tigers to move into position for the stretch run.