Justin Verlander has struggled badly since coming off the injured list in August. The former Cy Young Award winner has given up at least four runs or more in each of his past three stars. This isn’t the type of performance the Houston Astros expected to get from the future Hall of Famer. However, given the Astros’ aspirations, the 41-year-old’s recent performance issues, and the other quality starters they have; Houston shouldn’t have Justin Verlander start in the postseason.
Verlander’s Post Injury Struggles
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter making just two starts in June, Justin Verlander was placed on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. It should be noted that the 41-year-old also gave up four runs in both those starts. Verlander would miss the entire month of July and most of August. However, during that span, the Astros went 36-17 without Verlander making a start. Houston’s other starters, Framber Valdez, Ronel Blanco, and Hunter Brown, filled in wonderfully.
When it was announced that Verlander would be returning, many people thought the starting rotation would be getting better. However, since coming off the injured list on August 21st, Justin Verlander has been a shell of himself. In four starts since his return, the former Cy Young winner has gone 0-4 with an ERA of 9.94. nine strikeouts and seven walks. In three of those starts, the three-time Cy Young winner gave up four runs or more. His last two starts have been particularly ugly as he’s been knocked out of the game early in both. It should be noted that Justin Verlander hasn’t had a quality start since May.
While the former MVP winner is a respected veteran, Houston shouldn’t even think about starting him. In his last three starts, Verlander has looked like a liability. The Astros won’t have any postseason success if they have a liability in their starting rotation. If the Houston Astros want to have any success in the postseason, then they’ll put their “Justin Verlander nostalgia” aside.
The Astros Have Other Capable Starters
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Astros have other capable starters they can depend on in the postseason. Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown have 23 games of postseason experience between them. With how well Blanco has pitched this season, he deserves an opportunity to start in the postseason. Trade acquisition Yusei Kikuchi has pitched very well since coming over from Toronto and has made postseason starts as well. Given the starters that are having success, there is no reason for the Astros to start a struggling Justin Verlander in October.
Not Worth The Risk To Start In October
Embed from Getty ImagesJustin Verlander has struggled badly since coming off the injured list in late August. He hasn’t looked like a three-time Cy Young Award winner. Given his struggles and how well Houston’s other starters are performing, there is no reason to have Verlander start in the postseason. While the 41-year-old has done great things for the Astros in the past, Houston can’t let that overshadow the present. Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Yuesei Kikuchi, and Ronel Blanco give the Astros the best chance to have success in October, starting Verlander isn’t worth jeopardizing postseason success.
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