Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson one of best combos in baseba

[a-rod]

If there is a close American League comparison to what the Giants have in the NL it is found in Motown, where a pair of hard-throwing righties in their mid-20s have carried an otherwise unremarkable ballclub into the heart of the playoff chase. Verlander, 26, has been the Tigers best pitcher since his first full season as a 23-year-old in 2006. He's one of the hardest throwers in baseball, and leads the league in both strikeouts and K/9. Perhaps his most interesting development has been his control. He has drastically reduced his BB/9 (from 3.9 a year ago to 2.5 this season), while more than doubling his K/BB ratio (1.9 to 4.2).

If Verlander, the No. 2 pick in the 2004 draft, was more of a sure thing, than Jackson has been a pleasant surprise. He's been in the majors since his 20th birthday, when, in 2003, he memorably beat Randy Johnson in his major league debut as a September call-up. But despite a world of talent, he spent more time in the minors over the next three years, and was just 5-15 when he finally cracked a big league rotation in 2007. Despite leading the pennant-winning Rays with 14 wins a year ago, he was bumped from their rotation in the postseason, and traded straight up to the Tigers for prospect Matt Joyce. While Joyce has batted .188 in 11 big league games, Jackson has blossomed into an All Star, ranking third in the league in ERA, eighth in WHIP and third in fewest hits per nine innings.

http://m.si.com/news/archive/archive/detail/1826603/2

I tend to agree, both on their own are equally impressive...

[tmorgan]

This season would have been a huge turd without Verlander's resurgence anad EJ's consistency.

[Liqourish]

^ Very true. I feel like they get overlooked alot because of our anemic offense. everyone is talking about Magglio's struggles, the rookie Porcellos inconsistency and Inges injury.... Verlander/Jackson are often an after thought.

I think if Verlander could get his ERA around 3, he should get serious consideration for the Cy Young award. Hell, Edwin is almost surpassing Greinke's ERA (which is all Zack has going for him).

[TSE]

Indeed a good pitching pair. We also have a nice offensive pair....

Miguel Cabrera and Phil Indablank make a great tandem as well.

[Liqourish]

I was going through ESPNs numbers for Verlander, Jackson and Porcello and was quite impressed with what I saw. If their patterns hold up and the projections pan out, we'll end up with all three skirting with 15 wins for the season.

Projected end season totals:
Verlander 18-9 3.38 ERA 65 BB 264 SO
Jackson 14-7 3.09 ERA 71 BB 168 SO
Porcello 15-10 4.18 ERA 52 BB 88 SO

Last year, we had NO player with 14+ wins. The last year we had three guys finish the season with at least 14 wins a piece, 2006 When the Tigers went to the world series behind the pitching of Verlander, Kenny Rogers, and Jeremy Bonderman.

Just think, these three kids are under the age of 28 and could potentially be with the team for the next 5 years (if Edwin is re-signed).