Agreed on Verlander's studliness. I saw him pitch in 2014 in Anaheim. He was having a so so year, and he didn't pitch well in that game either. I thought his career was winding down based on that season. Statistically, ERA wise, it was easily the worst year of his career. He was injured with a sports hernia and a sore shoulder and his next season was his worst w/L year.
But the guy is 31-17 since then with an ERA south of 3.3. He's only given up 4 ER in 5 starts for the Astros. What a pick-up is right!
Weird fact: he gave up Alex Rodriguez' 3000th hit, a HR.