Does Justin Verlander Deserve to Win the AL MVP?

Dominating the Mound

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander has been the most dominant pitcher in baseball this year. At 24-5 he leads all of baseball in wins, innings pitched (251.0), strikeouts (250), and WHIP (0.92) in addition to being first in the American League with a 2.40 ERA. Verlander also has 4 complete games, of which he has one no-hitter and three other times he pitched eight innings or more and gave up two or less hits during those outings. His fastball can reach triple digits even late into games, his changeup can leave batters looking foolish with an early swing, and his curve breaks so hard that you would think it was because just for an instance earth’s gravity changed. Perhaps just as important, his Tigers won the AL Central by double digit games. He is having one of the best seasons a pitcher has had in about a decade. The AL Cy Young is his, but what about the AL MVP?

A-Rod’s Search for 600 Home Runs

Relax

Since #599, which took place on July 22, and as of August 3, 2010, Alex Rodriguez is 9-46 (.196) in 12 games with no home runs. Out of the 6 other players to hit 600 home runs or more; Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Ken Griffey Jr. (630), and Sammy Sosa (609); A-Rod has already gone the longest stretch between games in seeking #600.

It may be easier said than done, but A-Rod just needs to forget about 600 and just go up to the plate with the mindset of getting on base. While in his slump, the Yankees have already lost hold on their lead in the AL East, currently behind the Tampa Bay Rays by a game. It is obvious