Fantasy Baseball 2012: Detroit Tigers SP Justin Verlander Is Set for Opening Day

All systems go for last year's American League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player Award winner, as Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander is set to face the Boston Red Sox on Thursday afternoon inside Comerica Park to open the 2012 season.

Verlander is coming off a dream season, posting an incredible 24-5 record and 2.40 ERA in 34 starts, while holding opposing batters to a .192 average.

The right-hander will be toeing the rubber against the Red Sox for the eighth time in his career, coming in with a 3-2 record and 3.22 ERA.  He was 1-0 with a 1.72 ERA in two starts in the series during the 2011 campaign.

I'm never one to recommend sitting star players in fantasy baseball, but he's been known to struggle during the early going in his career.

The former Old Dominion Monarchs' star has compiled a losing 9-14 record and 4.72 ERA in 30 lifetime starts in April, including a 2-3 mark and 3.50 ERA in five outings last year.

Taking one look at his daytime numbers from last year overshadows all other statistics, as he was a dominating 8-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 10 starts under the sun.  It's obvious that opposing batters didn't see the ball come out of his hand very well in that situation, limiting them to a .158 average.

With the free agent acquisition of first baseman Prince Fielder, the Tigers offense should provide enough offense against Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester to overcome any early-season jitters from their ace on the mound.

Verlander hasn't won his first start of the season since capturing a 7-0 victory over the Texas Rangers during his rookie year on April 8, 2006.