What Is Wrong With Justin Verlander?

      For the last seven years, every fifth day, Detroit Tigers fans knew, no matter how bad the team was playing they had a chance to win, because Tigers Ace Justin Verlander was on the mound.  This year seems to be different Verlander is 4-4 with a 3.17 ERA.  In his last outing, Thursday 5/16 against the Texas Rangers, he lasted only 2-2/3 innings while giving up eight runs on six hits and two walks.  This is the shortest outing and the most runs he has surrendered this season.  In fact in his other eight starts he has given up only 13 runs over 51-1/3 innings of work. 
      Where is the Verlander who went 24-5 and won both the Cy Young Award and the American League MVP in 2011?  As with every player in every sport, Verlander is human and has had ups and downs in his career.  In 2008, as the Tigers went 74-88, Verlander was 11-17 with a 4.84 ERA.  The next season he was 19-9 with a 3.45 ERA, so all is not lost, besides in 2008 he didn't have any help on the pitching staff, the other starters were Armando Galarraga, Nate Robertson, Kenny Rogers and other starters like Jeremy Bonderman and Dontrelle Willis, not the best of company if you're having a down year.  This season the starting rotation is much better with Doug Fister, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello and Anibal Sanchez so they should be able to pick up Verlander if his season doesn't improve.  Even with all his struggles this season Verlander is still 6th in strikeouts, 14th in wins, 15th in innings pitched, 21st in ERA and 31st in WHIP.  I think most pitchers in the league would be happy to have those stats. 
      After the game on Thursday Verlander was asked why he had such problems this year, he said the control on his fastball is not up to par.  He's not saying he is walking a lot of batters because he only has 20, which is only 2.2 per start, but he is referring to the fact that he isn't able to locate his fastball where he wants to, meaning it is getting hit more often.  There has also been talk this year about the loss of velocity with his fastball.  In past seasons Verlander has reached 100+ MPH routinely and late in games he is averaging 97 to 99.  This year he has only touched 100 a few times and is averaging 93-95, this doesn't seem like a big change but it takes him from one of the fastest fastballs to a high average pitch.  One of Verlander's big weapons, besides his pitches themselves, is the intimidation factor, if hitters realize his fastball is slower then normal, they will dig in more and won't worry about that 100+ MPH fastball coming across the plate.  Consequently he has given up more hits and more runs. 
      In resent interviews both manager Jim Leyland and pitching coach Jeff Jones have said they are not worried about Verlander's struggles, they are confident that his performance will improve and are assuring fans to relax and not panic.  If they aren't worried why should we be, of course would they say if they were worried?  I doubt it, so it is something to watch.  If the past is anything to judge the future by, Verlander will be fine and the Tigers will make another deep run in the playoffs.