Verlander?

[Ender]

I'm not worried

he'll be fine

I'm starting him with confidence next time out.

Interesting. I can see why anyone would advise patience here. But why in the world would you be starting him "with confidence"? Are you enjoying the way he's murdering your numbers every time out?

I don't mean to be rude, but if there's a REASON for immediate optimism I'd sure like to hear it.

I think Verlander is overrated but I'd start him with confindence too. He has a solid track record and his bullpen has let him down which is part of the bad ERA. I really wouldn't be worried about him if you are an owner. His HR/FB is 21.9% which won't keep up and his LOB% is 46.5% which is absurdly low.

[Yoda]

He'll be fine as long as he is healthy. No one would have predicted that he would start off the season this poorly. Again, health is the key. If he is only generating 90-92 MPH on his fastballs then there might be something physically or mechanically wrong with him.

[brock middlebrook]

I'm not worried

he'll be fine

I'm starting him with confidence next time out.

Not dominant, but still a solid line

6 IP, 1 ER, but only 3K, 6 hits and 2 BB


Even after 100+ pitches, he was throwing his fastball at 95-96
and his sinker at 93-94

A few years back Johan had an ERA north of 5 and a half headed into June
and it was 5.5 headed into his june 9 start.

He ended up unanimously winning the Cy Young that year with 265 K, 20 W and a 2.61 ERA.

[Morat]

The Baseball Tonight crew dissed his start. They said he didn't have his old velocity and kept nibbling outside and that hitters would accordingly adjust his next start and he'd get smakced around again. They loved CC's start.

[rainman23]

I'm not worried

he'll be fine

I'm starting him with confidence next time out.

Not dominant, but still a solid line

6 IP, 1 ER, but only 3K, 6 hits and 2 BB


Even after 100+ pitches, he was throwing his fastball at 95-96
and his sinker at 93-94

A few years back Johan had an ERA north of 5 and a half headed into June
and it was 5.5 headed into his june 9 start.

He ended up unanimously winning the Cy Young that year with 265 K, 20 W and a 2.61 ERA.

I was a Santana owner that year, so you don't have to sell me on the idea that the season isn't over in April. It was only the "starting him with confidence" idea that I questioned. I started him -- with some trepidation -- and was happy with the outcome. I'll start him with "a little more confidence" next time around.