Justin Verlander, the Most Over Rated MVP in History
If you know one thing from reading my Blog, I am not a hater by any stretch of the imagination. I do poke fun at any situation and there is not a line I wouldn’t cross. However, when it’s all said an done…Get Your Money! What do I care if people are successful? It doesn’t make or break anything in my life.
With that said, I have to disagree with the voters decision to make Justin Verlander this years AL MVP. While he is one of the top pitchers in Major League Baseball, I feel he is extremely over rated. Making him the MVP is not only a joke, but an insult to anyone who follows this sport. Here are a few bullet points you must consider before jumping on the Verland-wagon.
He Pitches in the American League Central
When I bring this argument up to the Verlander supporters it’s immediately countered with “what do you want him to do?!? that’s the league he pitches in, and he is dominating.” Listen, I NEVER once said he is not doing what he has to do. My argument was simply that he faces nobody all year. Let’s Examine the wins from late in the season to early (I am listing all appearances). We can also go deeper into opposing ball parks and opp BA, but here is the shortened version :
September
[AWAY]Oakland (74-88) Sub 500 ( 20th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]White sox (79-83) Sub 500 ( 18th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]Cleveland (80-92) Sub 500 (16th in the league in runs scored)
[Home] White sox (79-83) Sub 500 (18th in the league in runs scored)
August
[AWAY]Twins (63-99) Sub 500 (25th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]Rays (91-71) +500 (15th in the league in runs scored)
[Home]Twins (63-99) Sub 500 (25th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]Indians (80-92) Sub 500 (16th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]Royals (71-91) Sub 500 (10th in the league in runs scored)
July
[Home]Angels (86-76) + 500 (17th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]White Sox (79-83) Sub 500 ( 18th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]Twins (63-99) Sub 500 (25th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]Royals (71-91) Sub 500 (10th in the league in runs scored)
June
[Home]Mets (77-85) Sub 500 (12th in the league in runs scored)
[Home]Diamondbacks (94-68) +500 (9th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]Rockies (73-89) Sub 500 (8th in the league in runs scored)
[Home]Indians (80-92) Sub 500 (16th in the league in runs scored)
[Home]Mariners (67-95) +500 (30th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY]White sox (79-83) Sub 500 (18th in the league in runs scored)
May
[Home]Redsox (90-82) +500 (1st in the league in runs scored)
[Home]Rays (91-71) +500 (15th in the league in runs scored)
[Home]Royals (71-91) Sub 500 (10th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY] Blue Jays (81-81) +500 team (6th in the league in runs scored)
April
[Home]White Sox (79-83) sub 500 ( 18th in the league in runs scored)
[AWAY] Baltimore (69-93) sub 500 (14th in the league in runs scored)
Now looking at the above, does this by any stretch of the imagination look like a taxing bunch of games? 18 of the 24 wins in 2011 were against teams that could not win half of their games. That leaves 6 games against top flight offenses, only 1 in top 5. Granted, he beat the Rays and defeated the Redsox , but after the way you seen that team finish off the season by getting owned by Baltimore and the Tampa Bay Rays AAA team, Are you really surprised ? This guy hasn’t faced anyone. This combined with pitching about half the games at Comerica Park, which is historically known to be a pitcher’s paradise ( even still after the adjustments made to the ballpark a few years back). One could see how these factors could add up to quite the season for the veteran.
*please note* I am not going to sit here and say that I could prove that he wouldn’t have had this success in the AL East (although I love to scream it when I’m drunk at ballgames). With only a few game to use as a reference, I don’t feel there is enough evidence to back that point. Naysayers, could point to his wins against the AL East in 2011 and trump a discussion. However, I really do feel based on the offense from the Redsox and Yankees alone, an argument could be made. Facing both those ball clubs a handful of times a year can change a lot. Those two line-ups can make a pitcher go from dream season to slump with a swing of the bat.
Let’s also remember The Detroit Tigers had the number 4 offense in the league, which is why I find it funny that people say ” Not only would he have 24 wins he would probably have more with that Yankees or Red Sox offense” give it a break. The Tigers have a AL east Offense in a weak central.
How the FUCK can someone who is responsible for 1/5 of regular season games played receive an award over a position player who runs out there everyday ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Again.. the man has had an unbelievable season and deserves the Cy Young. But really MVP. Why? because of the low ERA against nobodys and the high win total against scrubs. Gimmie a break voters..
But then again, these are the same writers that called the 2011 Boston Redsox “The Greatest Team Ever” lol
Whatever man,
AC
@AConDEMAND
