Justin Verlander struggled on Sunday against the Diamondbacks in Houston. The 41-year-old retired just nine of the 19 batters he faced, allowing eight runs in three innings. This was one of the worst starts of his 19-year career and part of a larger trend of struggles since returning from injury. As surprising as it may be, Verlander’s spot in the Astros’ rotation for the playoffs is now in question.
Verlander started strong on Sunday, posting a scoreless first inning and allowing just one baserunner. However, he unraveled in the next two innings, giving up seven runs, including two home runs by Pavin Smith.
Verlander’s trouble came from struggling to command his pitches and failing to generate swings and misses. He only got four whiffs on 75 pitches and couldn’t find success with his secondary pitches.
After the game, Verlander acknowledged his poor performance, stating, “I felt good physically, but obviously the results were atrocious.”
Verlander’s rough season has been marked by injuries and inconsistent performance. He started the year on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation and has struggled to find his form since returning. His ERA has ballooned to 5.30, accompanied by career-high figures in several statistical categories.
One major issue for Verlander has been the changing shape of his pitches. His velocity has slightly declined, and his secondary pitches are not as effective as in previous years.
Verlander’s struggles have coincided with a difficult period for the Astros’ rotation, with several key pitchers sidelined due to injuries. Despite these challenges, the team continues to lead their division and maintain strong playoff odds.
