The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

While Detroit Tigers starter and former Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander has been throwing a bit better of late, the facts are in - he just hasn't been the same pitcher these past two seasons. From 2006 through 2012, outside of a hiccup in 2008 (11-17 and 4.84 ERA), Verlander posted a 113-46 record (.711), a 3.15 ERA, with 1,284 strikeouts and 378 walks in 1,341.1 IP (8.62 K/9, 2.54 BB/9, and 3.40 K/BB). Over the past two seasons, however, Verlander is just 23-21 (.523), has an ERA of 3.95, with 327 strikeouts and 127 walks in 369.0 IP (7.98 K/9, 3.10 BB/9, and 2.57 K/BB). He's also allowed 374 hits in 369 innings over these past two seasons (9.12 p/9), while he only allowed 7.67 hits per 9 innings from 2006 through 2012 (excluding 2008). So, over the past two years, he's allowed about an average of 11 runners on base per 9 innings. Let's compare the states side-by-side now: Record 2006-2012 (excluding 2008): 113-46 (.711) 2013-2014: 23-21 (.523) Difference...

As seems to be all too common, the media has blown Mariano Rivera's recent struggles out-of-proportion. The long-time New York Yankees closer has blown his past three save opportunities - the first time that's occurred in his Hall-of-Fame career. What has happened as a result of that? ESPN analysts wondering aloud if Rivera is losing "it." Let's get something straight here - while Rivera has struggled in his past three outings, even with those struggles, he has a very solid ERA of 2.44. Rivera is now 3-2 on the year, with 35 saves (5 blown), 41 strikeouts and 8 walks in 44.1 innings pitched. This is Rivera's 19th year with the Yankees. To this point, he's saved 643 games for the club, struck out 1,160 batters, while walking just 285 in 1,264.0 innings. He also has a career ERA of 2.22 and a WHIP of 1.00. Those are just Rivera's regular season stats. His post-season statistics are even more impressive. He's 8-1 in post-season play, with 42 sav...