The Best Pitcher In The Game
Justin Verlander has two no-hitters. He has a 91-55 career record, with a 19-win season, two 18-win seasons and a 17-win season.
He has a rookie of the year award, and he's pitched in a World Series and two All-Star Games.
And when I asked a scout who has followed his career to describe his last few starts, the guy said: "Maybe the light went on."
I understood exactly what the guy meant.
As good as Justin Verlander has already been, there was always a sense that he could be even better. I know he believed that.
He's so good now that he's a threat to throw a no-hitter in any start, so good that he can throw 100 mph in the ninth inning, so good that the same scout said that Tuesday night against the Indians, Verlander's best pitch was actually his changeup.
"He was unhittable," the scout said. "Very, very dominant."
Another scout who has followed Verlander's career said his performance Tuesday was the best he's ever seen.
The best he's ever seen from Verlander -- or from any other pitcher.
