"It's baseball's premier system of checks-and-balances -- the one player who can dominate a game, the starting pitcher, can pitch only once every five days.

When Justin Verlander received the Players Choice award as the top player in the majors Thursday night, MLB Network's Harold Reynolds asked him why pitchers should be eligible for this award, given that they appear in only one-fifth as many games as the top hitters.

"The effect that starting pitchers have on a given day -- on their game in particular -- is so monumental," Verlander said. "It kind of overwhelms not being able to play every day. If we have a bad day as a starting pitcher, we're going to lose 95% of the time. As a position player, you've got eight other guys who have your back. We affect games so much.

"I also think you affect the bullpens."

Reynolds, a former second baseman, replied, "I never heard a pitcher explain it. That's very well done."

Verlander could give the same explanation for why he deserves the American League Most Valuable Player Award, which will be announced Nov. 21.

As Verlander alluded to, an ace keeps the bullpen fresh because he almost always goes deep in games. The manager can use the bullpen extensively on the day before and after the ace pitches because the ace has eaten up a lot of innings in his start."