Detroit Tigers: Pitchers Leave the Team & Have Cy Young Seasons

Anyone who is a fan of the Detroit Tigers knows good and well that there have been a few Cy Young pitchers on the squad.

At one point in 2014, the Detroit Tigers had three of them: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and David Price.

Despite the fact that Verlander is in the running for the prestigious award, another outstanding pitcher from that same 2014 team is also a Cy Young candidate in the AL. And, good ol’ Max Scherzer has the stats to earn a second one.

As a Detroit Tigers fan, it has been a special season watching Justin Verlander pitch like he did prior to his core surgery. But, for all of his improvement, the rest of the Tigers pitching has suffered. However, if you look to the East Coast, two former Tigers are blowing up the competition.

Max Scherzer’s Numbers

In Washington DC, Max Scherzer is continuing his dominance. As of today, he his leading the NL in wins (19), games started (33), innings pitched (223.1), strikeouts (277), WHIP (0.940), hits per nine (6.3), and a strikeouts-to-walk ratio (5.13). Impressive.

Rick Porcello’s Numbers

In Boston, Rick Porcello is also putting on a pitching clinic. While he’s nowhere near as dominant as Scherzer, Porcello is leading the AL in a few stats. He has the most wins (22), the best WHIP (0.991), and a strikeouts-to-walk ratio (6.10). Not too shabby.

Justin Verlander’s Numbers

Then, there is Verlander. He is leading the AL in two stats: strikeouts (246) and hits per nine (6.7). What is impressive about Verlander is his current WAR, which is 6.3. Porcello’s WAR is lower at 5.1.

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With Scherzer in the NL, there is no worry about his numbers beating out Verlander’s numbers. It’s just the fact that if Mike Ilitch really wanted Max, there had to be a chance. Since leaving the Tigers, Scherzer has managed to pitch complete games with four in 2015 and one this season. He has increased the number of home runs he has allowed, but he has allowed fewer runs to score. Wouldn’t it have been great to continue to see him in the Old English D? I think so. The worst part of the Scherzer deal is that the Tigers did not get a darn thing for him. Nothing. Nada.

At least with Porcello, the Tigers were able to trade their way to Michael Fulmer through Yoenis Cespedes. This fact does make the Porcello trade a bit less painful, but if the 27-year-old pitcher earns a Cy Young over Verlander – then the trade will certainly sting.

Next: Will Jordan Zimmermann Start on Friday?

I guess when it comes to pitchers, it is better to look to the future than back to the past. Verlander does not look like he is slowing down anytime soon and Michael Fulmer should be able to throw the fastball for several more years. Now, about those other starting pitchers….