Today, a pitcher has between 30-40 starts, and often times not more than 6-7 innings per game. A starter will play from 155-162 games each season, nine innings as game, and often extra innings.
There is NO comparison.
Verlander leads the majors in innings pitched this year (besides being 19-5, even before the end of August). He alone is the difference between the Tigers being five games up in their division and being a losing ballclub.
There is NO comparison.
BALONEY!!!
A good starting pitcher is involved in way more action than any hitter! The great ones face 800-1000 batters per year. No hitter gets up much more than 600 times.
Take Gonzales or Ellsbury from the Bosox, they're still in it. Take Verlander or Sabathia away, and the Tigers and Yankees suck. IMHO, the REAL MVP is often a pitcher.
Most good starting pitchers a invoved in far more defensive plays, over the course of the season, than any other player than the catcher.
Think about it. The reason he is not an everyday players isn't because of lack of talent, but because his arm takes such a beating when he does play.
Most good starting pitchers a invoved in far more defensive plays, over the course of the season, than any other player than the catcher.
Think about it. The reason he is not an everyday players isn't because of lack of talent, but because his arm takes such a beating when he does play.
That said, Verlander is going to get the CY, and deserves it. MVP is a tougher call.