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Detroit Tigers 2016 Review: Justin Verlander

By Ben Rosener

Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
May 18, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) warms up prior to the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Justin Verlander, 2016 Cy Young Winner?

While the Tigers didn’t reach the postseason in 2016, Justin Verlander could very well take home another Cy Young award.

Verlander finished at the top, or near the top of the league in most pitching stats. These included strikeouts (first), WHIP (first), WAR (tied for first) SIERA (second), ERA (second), innings pitched, strikeouts per nine innings (third), FIP (fourth), walks per nine innings (ninth) and xFIP (11th).

Want more in-depth stats? You’ve got them

Detroit’s ace ranked fifth in swinging strike percentage and seventh in O-Swing percentage (O-Swing percentage looks at swings at pitches outside the strike zone).

2016 vs 2011

Back in 2011, Verlander took home both the Cy Young award and the MVP award. His numbers this season very closely resemble those form his award-winning campaign.

2011 Stats

6.4 WAR, 251 innings pitched, 2.98 SIERA, 0.920 WHIP, nine strikeouts per nine innings, two walks per nine innings, 10.4 swinging strike percentage and a 33.3 O-swing percentage.

2016 Stats

5.2 WAR, 227.2 innings pitched, 3.42 SIERA, 1.00 WHIP, 10.04 strikeouts per nine innings, 2.25 walks per nine innings, 12 swinging strike percentage and a 34.3 O-Swing percentage.

Next: Nine Under the Radar Prospects to Keep an Eye on in 2017

The scary thing—at least for opposing hitters—is that Verlander continues to improve. His swinging strike percentage represented a career-best in 2016, while his O-Swing percentage was the second-best mark in his career.

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