Justin Verlander of Detroit Tigers Has What It Takes to Be Great

Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander is quickly and... well... unsurprising asserting himself as the premier workhorse in Major League Baseball.

Following yesterday's 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians—his 17th season victory—Verlander joined some elite company.

Verlander's 17th win of the 2011 regular season put him into a milestone club featuring Hall of Famers Catfish Hunter and Rich "Goose" Gossage.

Verlander became the seventh pitcher to record five—yes, five—17-game-winning seasons before the age of 29.

Does his joining such a prestigious club, along with recent Cy Young talk and two prior no-hitters, mean that we can begin the Verlander-Hall of Fame talk?

Not yet, but that conversation isn't far. 

In the meantime, let's talk what's relevant, the 2011 Cy Young race.

It seems as if the front-runners are separating themselves from the pack, with Verlander, New York's C.C. Sabathia, and Los Angeles of Anaheim's Jered Weaver.

Recent talks point to Weaver and Verlander as the top pitchers in the American League.

Weaver posts a 14-5 record with an AL-best 1.78 ERA, almost .40 points better than second place, Josh Beckett's 2.17 posting.

Weaver's case for the Cy Young of late rests purely on his ERA. His 1.99 ERA on the road leads the league even though he's started four more road games than Verlander. In addition he's second in win percentage (.737) and second in complete games (four).

But will an impressive ERA by itself sway voters his way? Think again. 

Verlander Great in 2011

Sure, Weaver will get votes for the Cy Young, and deservedly so.

But, Verlander deserves it more.

Not to mention an already pitched no-hitter on May 7th against the Toronto Blue Jays, he leads the American League in Wins (17), innings pitched (195), strikeouts (196), WHIP (.87), and win percentage (.773).

Yet, these are mainly concrete baseball statistics.

Verlander has virtually put the Detroit Tigers on his back for the second half of the season, winning his previous five decisions and eight of the past 10. The organization relies on him to stop losing skids and edge out wins in a three-game series, just like last night against the Indians.

His fastball is lethal—rarely do fans not witness a 100-plus mph pitch in the seventh inning or later with Verlander on the mound. His slicing curveball makes batters freeze at its sight.

Watching Verlander on a weekly basis from Detroit is a spectacle, almost biblical.

Fans really believe he is automatic every start, and expect a win every fifth night.

With that being said, Detroit fans should also expect a Cy Young Award on his mantle this year, and in coming years... not mention a few more no-hitters by the time Justin Verlander hangs up the cleats.