The Houston Astros found themselves hanging by a thread before opening a crucial series against the Seattle Mariners on Monday.
A recent run of bad results had left them only half a game ahead of the first team with no playoff spot in the Wild Card standings.
A loss on Monday would have meant the Mariners surpassed the Astros in the Wild Card standings with just a few games left.
But three-time Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander showed what he is made of and gave the Astros a huge performance.
MLB insider Jon Morosi praised Verlander’s effort and gave him the place he deserves in the history of the game: a future Hall of Famer.
“Justin Verlander is a future Hall of Famer because of nights like this. In a game the @Astros need desperately, he’s shut out the Mariners over 6 innings. Only 2 hits. Master of his craft,” Morosi tweeted.
Justin Verlander is a future Hall of Famer because of nights like this.
In a game the @Astros need desperately, he's shut out the Mariners over 6 innings.
Only 2 hits.
Master of his craft.@MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) September 26, 2023
When Morosi wrote his tweet, Verlander’s night wasn’t done.
He ended up dominating the poor Mariners lineup for eight innings, in which he conceded three hits, one walk, and a single run.
He also struck out eight hitters in the brilliant performance.
With the nice game, Verlander took his ERA all the way down to 3.32 on the season between the Astros and the New York Mets.
Most importantly, he helped the Astros take a 1.5-game lead over Seattle for that third Wild Card spot.
Verlander will have a place in Cooperstown five years after the moment he decides to retire.
For now, at 40 years old, he remains as good as ever, hungry for another World Series title.
NEXT: The Astros Had A Shocking Weekend In Houston
