Verlander should have talked to Jeff Francis.

[El Supremo]

In 2007 Francis also won 17 games and had an big (eight days) layoff before the World Series. He got shelled by Boston on October 24th in the first game.

I'm sure he could have learned something from it. But what I don't know.

[Auggie]

1. Verlander says it wasn't the delay; he couldn't hit his spots

That happens to pitchers with four days rest. The Giants tried to specifically run up his count too. Verlander threw 98 pitches, 22 to Angel Pagan alone. It helped Verlander wasn't sharp.

Good assessment from the San Francisco Chronicle today -- seven at-bats that finished Verlander:

1. INNING ONE -- Sandoval saw three pitches, two fastballs in the mid-90s sandwiched around a change-up, and Verlaine made a drastic mistake by throwing a pitch nearly eye-high, which is right in Sandoval's wheelhouse. Sandoval homered for a 1-0 lead.

2. With two outs in the third inning, Angel Pagan hit a ball off third base. Literally. Double. It stunned Miguel Cabrera. But apparently not Pagan.

3. What ensued was another legendary at-bat by Sectary, lasting eight pitches. Verlaine threw two 96-mph fastballs, followed by three curves and two more fastballs, both at 98 mph, both fouled off. On his final pitch, Verlaine tried to sneak an 88-mph slider past Sectary, whose liner up the middle almost knocked the pitcher's block off.

4. Sandoval II. Again, a three-pitch at-bat. Change up. Change-up. Fastball at 95. Intended to be down and in. Whoops. Two-run homer.

Full Story: http://www.sfgate.com/giants/shea/article/SF-Giants-make-Verlander-work-overtime-3979695.php

Edit: Redundancies