More Of The Same For Verlander After Banner 2011
NOAH TRISTER,AP Baseball Writer
DETROIT (AP) — After winning the American League MVP last season, Justin Verlander might be even more important to the Detroit Tigers in 2012.
The overpowering right-hander has already thrown a career-high five complete games this year, bolstering a struggling rotation and helping the Tigers stay in the thick of the AL Central race. Verlander — the American League's starter in Tuesday night's All-Star game — has been every bit as dependable as he was when he pulled off his Cy Young-MVP double last season.
Verlander is 9-5, so his record probably won't look as gaudy as it did at the end of last year's 24-win campaign. But aside from that, very little has changed. His 2.58 ERA is right around last year's 2.40. Opponents are hitting just .200 against him.
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