A Tough Start for Verlander
Even a seasoned veteran like Justin Verlander, on a clear path to the Hall of Fame, can face significant challenges. The 2024 season has proven difficult for the Houston Astros, and Verlander’s recent start against the New York Yankees underscored this trend. Initially, Verlander showed promise early in the season with a solid 2.08 ERA through his first three outings. However, this momentum abruptly stopped during a Tuesday night game where he experienced one of his tough starts in an Astros uniform.
A Tough Game Against the Yankees
Verlander’s confrontation with the Yankees was particularly harsh. The game turned sour right from the first inning when Alex Verdugo hit a three-run homer. The Yankees didn’t let up, continuing to hammer Verlander for a total of eight hits and seven earned runs over the course of five innings. This onslaught contributed to a lopsided 10-3 victory for the Yankees. The evening, he marked a dubious record for Verlander, registering the most runs he has allowed in a single game as a member of the Astros.
Verlander’s Struggles in Perspective
Tuesday’s game was only the 20th time in 513 MLB starts that Verlander conceded seven or more earned runs. Interestingly, all previous instances occurred during his tenure with the Detroit Tigers, from 2005 to 2017. The last time he faced such a challenge was on July 2, 2017, against the Cleveland Indians, when he also relinquished seven earned runs. His worst performance in terms of runs allowed happened in the same season, surrendering nine runs to Cleveland. Against the Yankees this Tuesday, Verlander also gave up three home runs, tying for his sixth-highest in a single game. The hitters who took him deep included Verdugo, Anthony Volpe, and Giancarlo Stanton.
Looking Ahead to the Next Game
Despite the rough outing, the Astros and Verlander must quickly regroup as they continue their series against the Yankees. The teams will face off again on Wednesday, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT at Yankee Stadium. The Astros are still searching for their first win against the Yankees, who have dominated them in four games. This next game allows Houston to turn their fortunes around and seek redemption for the early-season setbacks.
As the Astros look forward, they hope for a resurgence from Verlander and the team. The challenges are steep, but the season is long, and opportunities for recovery are plentiful. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how one of baseball’s greats can bounce back from adversity and help steer his team back on course.