How Struggling Ace Could Derail Astros Postseason Hopes
September 3, 2024
Carly Wimer
Justin Verlander has struggled since coming off the injured list, but for the Astros to make a deep postseason run, they need their ace at his best. Nineteen seasons pitching in the majors, the three-time Cy Young Award winner knows when he has it and when he does not. Justin Verlander has not had it since returning from a two-month injured list stint for an unspecified neck ailment.
How Struggling Ace Could Derail Astros Postseason Hopes
On Monday, the future Hall of Famer did something he had not done in 558 previous starts in the majors, regular or postseason. Verlander walked the first three batters he faced. This was Verlander’s third start since being reinstated on August 21st, and at times, it was more of a struggle than his first two. He exited in the fifth inning after a season-high 107 pitches, charged with five runs on eight hits while tying a season-high with four walks. Verlander said after the game that “things always come back to mechanics” and offered a blunt self-assessment.
“My mechanics aren’t right right now,” Verlander said. “Not even close. I’m trying to be realistic with myself and know that I’ve been shut down for a while. It’s going to be difficult to try to be where you want to be.”
Can Astros Ace Justin Verlander Regain His Form Before October?
This has been a stop-and-start season for Verlander. The 41-year-old ace began the season on the injured list, building up after an offseason shoulder issue. He had a 2.08 ERA in his first three starts, but a rough game against the Yankees exposed what Verlander called a ‘lack of deception’ in his pitches. He struggled through two starts in June before going on the injured list with neck pain he said had bothered him for weeks.
Verlander’s first start back from the injured list offered some optimism for an injury-thinned Astros rotation desperately needing a boost. But Verlander has since hit a wall. In three starts following a two-month hiatus, Verlander has allowed 19 hits and walked six batters while posting a 6.75 ERA.
The nine-time All-Star is balancing his workload between starts while he works through his mechanical issues. Houston has lost each of Verlander’s last three starts, making each of his remaining outings crucial going into the postseason. His next start could come against the Diamondbacks, owners of baseball’s best offense since the All-Star break. Houston’s final two regular-season series come against the Mariners and Guardians, both of which could hold significant postseason implications. Astros starters had the lowest ERA in the majors last month, which could give Verlander some leeway as he works to regain his form for October.
“Physically, I feel good,” Verlander said. “If something is not working right, usually something’s wrong with mechanics. You’ve just got to figure it out. So, I’m working as hard as I can, which is why it’s frustrating.”
