Pitcher performance regressions for no apparent reason

Well it is dangerous to place too much emphasis on Opening Day results as it is only one game after all but Justin Verlander's performance obviously was disappointing. His line of 3.2 innings pitched, 8 hits, 8 earned runs, 2 walks and 4 ks is unfortunately all too reminiscent of many of his starts last year. One thing lost in all of the spring training speculation as to who would be the 4th and 5th starters is that for the Tigers to have any chance this year, Justin Verlander needs to pitch like Justin Verlander again and he did not quell any doubts yesterday. Verlander's struggles last year were quite mysterious and while there was plenty of speculation as to the cause(s), I don't think anybody within the organization was ever able to pinpoint a specific problem so I think most people just chalked it up to a fluke year. Of course, if this continues much longer, we will have to exit the realm of "just a fluke" and enter the land of "what the hell is going on?"

While it is always dangerous to place any emphasis on what is said on sports talk radio, I cannot resist this little tidbit that I heard last year. The host was discussing Verlander's problems and one guy called in and in all seriousness said "I know his problem" at which point the host said "Tell us". The caller then said "Have you seen his woman?" (She is a nice looking lady). The host said "Yes, but so what?" and the caller said "There ya go" I guess implying that Verlander's attention is being diverted away from pitching to his girlfriend and this caller had this all figured out. Ok, next caller.

In other Opening Day, developments, I note that Cliff Lee of the Indians who last year came out of nowhere to dominate the league and win the Cy Young award got hammered to the tune of 5 innings pitched, 10 hits, 7 earned runs, 1 walk and 5 ks. This was after getting hit very hard this spring.

How do you figure this stuff?