BREAKING DOWN CHRIS SALE AND JUSTIN VERLANDER:

 

 

If you compare the division race to a poker game then it is certainly time to bring out the aces. Today both Chris Sale and Justin Verlander will take the mound in separate games. After pitching in today's games, they will most likely not start again for the remainder of the regular season, with the exception of the tiebreaker, in which both pitchers are slated to start. Some have also alluded to the idea that Verlander could possibly start on Wednesday on short rest, if the race reached a pivotal point. Thus the stage is set for the ultimate showdown of pitching performances to occur today. Ultimately, these starts will be the most imperative outings for both Sale and Verlander this season. So imperative that it is necessary to break it down.

 

Pitcher Profile:

 

 

Justin Verlander: 16-8, ERA 2.72, SO 231, BB 58.

Chris Sale: 17-7, ERA 2.86, SO 185, BB 48.

 

ERA- Earned Run Average.

SO- Strike Outs.

BB- Base On Balls.

 

 

Analyzing the numbers:

 

Differences:

Chris Sale has a better record and Justin Verlander has a better ERA, but both of these upper hands are separated by a small number margin.

 

Significant Differences:

 

Justin Verlander has more strikeouts than Sale this year. (Indicates that hitters have a harder time reading Verlander's pitches)

Chris Sale has less walks than Verlander this year. (Indicates that Sale has better control)

 

Overall, the pitchers are both remarkably similar. They both have great command, which means that they both have the ability to properly pitch their arsenal of pitches, getting the correct spin and movement. They are both able to reach speeds between 95-100 mph. They also have the ability to control their pitches, or pitch them in the intended location.

 

Match-Ups:

 

Verlander will face the Minnesota Twins line-up (2.61 Batting Average) in Minnesota.

 

Sale will face the Tampa Bay Rays line-up (2.40 Batting Average) at home.

 

 

To conclude, the match-ups are also very similar and what it really comes down to is which one of them rises to occassion and is able to handle the playoff race pressure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BREAKING DOWN CHRIS SALE AND JUSTIN VERLANDER:

 

 

If you compare the division race to a poker game then it is certainly time to bring out the aces. Today both Chris Sale and Justin Verlander will take the mound in separate games. After pitching in today's games, they will most likely not start again for the remainder of the regular season, with the exception of the tiebreaker, in which both pitchers are slated to start. Some have also alluded to the idea that Verlander could possibly start on Wednesday on short rest, if the race reached a pivotal point. Thus the stage is set for the ultimate showdown of pitching performances to occur today. Ultimately, these starts will be the most imperative outings for both Sale and Verlander this season. So imperative that it is necessary to break it down.

 

Pitcher Profile:

 

 

Justin Verlander: 16-8, ERA 2.72, SO 231, BB 58.

Chris Sale: 17-7, ERA 2.86, SO 185, BB 48.

 

ERA- Earned Run Average.

SO- Strike Outs.

BB- Base On Balls.

 

 

Analyzing the numbers:

 

Differences:

Chris Sale has a better record and Justin Verlander has a better ERA, but both of these upper hands are separated by a small number margin.

 

Significant Differences:

 

Justin Verlander has more strikeouts than Sale this year. (Indicates that hitters have a harder time reading Verlander's pitches)

Chris Sale has less walks than Verlander this year. (Indicates that Sale has better control)

 

Overall, the pitchers are both remarkably similar. They both have great command, which means that they both have the ability to properly pitch their arsenal of pitches, getting the correct spin and movement. They are both able to reach speeds between 95-100 mph. They also have the ability to control their pitches, or pitch them in the intended location.

 

Match-Ups:

 

Verlander will face the Minnesota Twins line-up (2.61 Batting Average) in Minnesota.

 

Sale will face the Tampa Bay Rays line-up (2.40 Batting Average) at home.

 

 

To conclude, the match-ups are also very similar and what it really comes down to is which one of them rises to occassion and is able to handle the playoff race pressure.

 

Tampa Bay has had issues with left handed pitchers. They are 12th in the AL in BA, 10th in runs scored and 12th in OPS when a person of the left handed persuasion takes the mound. Sale absolutely destroyed them in Tampa when he faced them last.