What was a global assumption became a reality on Thursday afternoon.
The Houston Astros are sending their ace Justin Verlander to the mound for Game 1 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“Justin Verlander is starting Game 1 of the World Series for the Astros,” Houston Chronicle’s Chandler Rome confirmed.
Justin Verlander is starting Game 1 of the World Series for the Astros.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 27, 2022
That game will be on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
He will go against Phillies ace Aaron Nola.
Verlander was battered by the Seattle Mariners in his first start of the 2022 postseason, but he bounced back in his second presentation against the New York Yankees and held them in check while striking out 11.
Tomorrow’s start will be his third of the playoffs for the veteran ace.
Verlander Will Try To Improve His World Series Numbers
Verlander is 39 and is looking for his second World Series title in five tries.
He lost two with the Detroit Tigers in 2006 and 2012, won the 2017 edition with the Astros and then lost in 2019.
He wasn’t active or healthy for the 2021 showdown against the Atlanta Braves.
Verlander, who has a 2.30 ERA in his last 100 regular season starts, has a lifetime 3.55 ERA in postseason play, which is not bad at all.
However, he will go to the mound trying to revert an annoying trend.
In World Series games, the talented right-hander is 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in seven starts and 38 innings.
Losing six of his seven Fall Classic starts so far is not something he is particularly proud of, so he will likely look to improve his image in World Series games.
The Astros will probably be happy with a quality start: at least six innings and just a couple of runs allowed, tops.
He is certainly capable of that and much more.
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