I don't have those pangs of fear anymore.
We discussed it on this blog a couple weeks ago: It looks like Verlander's best days are behind him. And, if that's the case, then Detroit can be had in the AL Central Division race.
When I looked at Wednesday night's matchup between Verlander and Chicago left-hander John Danks, my initial instinct was not "Oh crap," as it might have been two or three years ago. Instead it was, "Hey, the Sox could win this one."
Win it they did, 8-2. The victory means the Sox (33-33) have as many wins as the first-place Tigers (33-28) and are just 2.5 games back in the division race.
However, the main story I took out of this game was Verlander's continuing vulnerability. The Sox touched him up for seven runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings. The erstwhile Detroit ace has now given up five runs or more in five of his past six starts. His ERA over that stretch is 8.72. His season ERA has swelled to 4.61. That's Hector Noesi territory right there.
And, anyone who watched this game knows the Sox should have scored more runs than they did. The South Siders loaded the bases with just one out in the third inning, but neither Conor Gillaspie nor Jose Abreu could knock in a run.
The Sox also got a one-out triple from Adam Eaton in the fifth inning, but failed to score after the Sox center fielder was thrown out at the plate on grounder off the bat of Gordon Beckham.
Verlander found himself in bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the sixth, and this time he did not get off the hook. With the score tied 1-1, Dayan Viciedo grounded into a double play that gave the Sox a one-run lead. The twin killing gave Verlander a great chance to minimize damage and keep his team in the game. Instead, he imploded.
Alejandro De Aza singled in a run. Verlander then walked light-hitting catcher Adrian Nieto and Eaton back-to-back to reload the bases. Beckham ended Verlander's night with a two-run single that put the Sox ahead 5-1.
Detroit summoned Naperville product Ian Krol from the bullpen, and the lefty provided little relief. Gillaspie's two-run double increased the Sox' advantage to 7-1. After an intentional walk to Abreu, Adam Dunn singled to make it 8-1. Chicago cruised to victory from there.
How often do you get a seven-run inning in a game started by Justin Verlander? The answer used to be never. Now, it can be done. The Sox proved it Wednesday night.
This is why I never understand why pitchers get such long contracts. How many pitchers over their careers have been consistently at the top of their game until they retire? Not many I can think of. And looking at the rest of his contract....
ReplyDelete2015 - 28 mil
2016 - 28 mil
2017 - 28 mil
2018 - 28 mil
2019 - 28 mil
2020 - 22 mil (37 years old)
Wow. Good luck Detroit.
The Tigers gave Cabrera absurd money, too. I don't know how they are going to keep Scherzer, who is probably asking "Where's mine?"
ReplyDeleteIf feel like Detroit is coming toward the end of its window to win. The Tigers gave Joe Nathan $20 million to try to fix their problem at closer, but Nathan has looked like, well, a whiter version of Jose Valverde.
Detroit is still the favorite to win the AL Central this year, but many experts speak of the Tigers as if they are a lock to make the playoffs. I don't believe they are.