What It Means:

“I really couldn’t have scripted a better day than today,” Verlander said. “I tried to make today as realistic as possible, what we’re going to be like in the season.” Verlander was initially slated to miss the first two months of the season after undergoing March groin surgery, but the extended time off from the COVID-19 pandemic has the 37-year-old veteran on track for Opening Day. Verlander went 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA and a career-high 300 strikeouts in 223 innings last season while leading both leagues in opponents’ batting average (.172) and WHIP (0.80). He notched the third no-hitter of his career and won his second American League Cy Young Award.

numberFire's models expect Verlander to spin a 3.45 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 16 walks over 68 innings this season.