Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander got rocked Tuesday.
The Seattle Mariners hit the two-time Cy Young Award winner early and often, collecting 10 hits and six earned runs before the Astros gave Verlander the hook after four innings.
The Mariners seemed on their way to an easy victory, but the Astros rallied, and Yordan Álvarez hit a walk-off, three-run home run to defeat the Mariners, 8-7. The Astros take a 1-0 lead in their ALDS.
So given the final outcome, Verlander’s Game 1 performance might end up being only a minor blip in the rearview mirror on the Astros postseason highway.
Verlander’s rough outing was as rare as it was surprising. The 39-year-old right-hander has a 3.40 ERA in 31 career postseason appearances. But as some observers pointed out on Twitter, he’s had his postseason misfires before (having a 5.68 ERA in seven World Series outings).
Also, for some reason, the Mariners seem to have Verlander’s number. He has given up six or more runs to Seattle three times since joining Houston in 2017.
Justin Verlander has allowed 6+ Runs just three times since joining the Astros
Today against the Mariners
May 27th, 2022 against the Mariners
August 9th, 2018 against the Mariners— Tieran (@Tieran711) October 11, 2022
Justin Verlander has given up 5 runs today — the most he’s surrendered in a postseason start since The Sandoval Game, in the 2012 World Series opener. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 11, 2022
Max Scherzer watching Justin Verlander get roughed up in his first playoff start of the year pic.twitter.com/4Ibh6F297R
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) October 11, 2022
Teams that have scored at least five earned runs off Justin Verlander this year…
Mariners: Today
Mariners: May 27That's it.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) October 11, 2022
https://twitter.com/HowardBrosell/status/1579928565902364673
Justin Verlander legit sucks in the playoffs but the media let’s him off the hook because his famous brother is the god king of Japan
— David Rosenthal (@_therealdrose) October 11, 2022
https://twitter.com/GSGtheOriginal/status/1579964085407391744
Verlander should pitch better in his next ALDS start. And thanks to Alvarez’s ninth-inning heroics for the Astros, he won’t have to blame himself for a loss after this tough outing.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.