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MLB 2017: Top 10 starting pitchers

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 15, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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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 /

8. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

You don’t have to be engaged to Justin Verlander to think he has a legitimate gripe over losing the 2016 AL Cy Young to Rick Porcello. Last season, the big right-hander put to rest any talk that he was entering the twilight of his career with 227.2 dominant innings. Verlander led the league with 254 strikeouts and a 1.001 WHIP. He also finished with the second-best hit and strikeout rates of his career, 6.2 and 10.0 per nine, respectively.

For years, Verlander had made his living by pumping gas past hitters. In his Cy Young season in 2011, Verlander threw his four-seam fastball at an average velocity of 96 mph. Last season, it was down to 94, but he did manage to recover a few ticks from 2014 and 2015 when minor injuries dragged his cruising velocity down to 93.

As his body has aged, Verlander has made the necessary adjustments to his pitching style. In 2011 when he won the Cy Young, he primarily threw fastball, curve, and changeup. He now throws the slider more frequently, while ditching the changeup. The changes in approach have allowed him to maintain or even increase the number of empty swings.

Verlander will be 34 on Opening Day this season, and has nearly 2,500 innings on his arm when counting the postseason. It looked like a stretch to say that the Tigers would continue getting this type of performance until Verlander’s contract runs out in 2019, but his dominant 2016 season should quiet the doubters for at least another year.

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