Justin Verlander Can Throw 130 Pitches Every Time Out
By: Jeff Riger
Jim Leyland is damned if he does and dammed if he doesn't.
All of Detroit seems to still be talking about the Tigers 7-2 win over the Yankees on Monday night and Leyland's decision to allow Justin Verlander to pitch the 8th inning in that game. Verlander ended up striking out a career high 14 batters while throwing 132 pitches. JV also allowed just 2 unearned runs, walked one and saw his ERA fall to 2.51. To put it simply, it was another awesome Verlander performance. Of course I should also mention that Verlander struck out the side after walking Raul Ibanez in that 8th inning.
And, then came the aftermath which as always, is interesting.
Some people loved the fact that Leyland allowed JV to work 8 innings and into that 130 pitch range while others were miffed stating that the ace needed his rest and there is no reason he should have been in, in a 7-2 affair. Like I said, Leyland is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
So Tuesday afternoon came around and there were answers to get. How did the skipper feel about yet again being second guessed when it comes to the dealings of Verlander? Below I have provided the questions and answers to some of the more interesting things that Leyland had to say regarding pitch count...
Q: Why did you allow Verlander to pitch into the 8th inning when his pitch count was well over 100 and the Tigers led the Yankees by 5 runs?
A: 2 out of the last 3 times he has pitched on 6 days rest and he will pitch on 6 days again in the very near future which is after this next start so that's a walk in the park.
Q: What is Verlander's limit as far as number of pitches are concerned?
A: If the truth be known, if there wasn't so much made about it he could throw 130 pitches every time. It's a walk in the park for him. That's just today's baseball that will always be talked about. That is just today's modern baseball. Guys used to throw that like it was nothing, but because we are protective and we should be and you worry and you have his kind of arm---that's a piece of cake for him if the truth be known. If he gets an extra day here and there that's a piece of cake. For me, 120 pitches for any pitcher is a piece of cake, it should be.
Q: Why is everybody so focused on the pitch count?
A: It's like a hot topic all of a sudden. It was never a hot topic. All of a sudden it became a hot topic when agents and big contracts came into play if you want to know the truth? Just tell it like it is, cut all the (expletive) sort through all the (expletive). When agents and big contracts came into play the pitch count came into play.
Q: Can other pitchers on the team regularly throw 120 pitches? Like Rick Porcello?
A: Porcello can throw 120 pitches without any problem. Everybody makes such a big deal about it; but really what's the difference between 113 and 120 pitches? Its seven pitches!
Q: Is all of baseball afraid to let starters go too deep for fear of getting them hurt?
A: I'll be the first to tell you that I think all the managers are a little nervous about it because there is so much emphasis about it in today's game. I think all the General Managers are concerned about it.
Q: Does he understand why people worry about Verlander throwing too many pitches?
A: You take a guy like Verlander, that's a pretty big investment for the Detroit Tigers and plus the kids future. He's got another contract, so I'm not going to lie and say that you're not conscientious about it, you are. I don't necessarily agree with it but sure we are.
Q: Would you allow Verlander to throw 140 pitches or more?
A: I would not! Unless I got about a ten year extension! But I think Justin Verlander could throw 140 pitches and I don't think it would bother him one bit. I truly believe that. I wouldn't do it but when I say that he was only 8 off on Monday night. But, he has pitched on 6 days two out of the last three times and he's going to pitch on 6 days the time after this. So that's a walk in the park for him.
Listen to the entire Jim Leyland back and forth with the media about Verlander and his pitch count.
