The Astros appear to be on the cusp of getting Cy Young frontrunner Justin Verlander back. Manager Dusty Baker tells reporters that while nothing is finalized yet, the organization’s tentative plan is for Verlander to return on Friday (Twitter link via Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle). Verlander hasn’t pitched since departing his Aug. 29 start after three innings due to what would eventually be diagnosed as “fascial disruption” in his calf.
If he indeed returns Friday, it’ll go down as an 18-day absence for Verlander — a near-best case scenario for an injury that, as acknowledged by the pitcher himself in the wake of his IL placement, could have sidelined him through a portion of the postseason had it been even marginally more severe.
[Related: The Changing Landscape of the American League Cy Young Race]
The 39-year-old Verlander has had nothing short of a remarkable season in his return from 2020 Tommy John surgery — not only reestablishing himself as a high-quality starter but resurfacing as a bona fide ace with a legitimate chance at his third Cy Young Award. Missing even a couple of starts could prove a deciding factor, particularly with Dylan Cease and Alek Manoah surging late in the season, but Verlander’s 1.84 ERA still tops American League pitchers. He’s now fallen to 18th in the league in innings pitched, however, narrowing any lead he might have previously held over the field. He’s also returning without a minor league rehab stint, so it’s at least possible the ’Stros will be a little more cautious than usual with his workload in his first outing.
The extent to which Verlander is able to bounce back from this calf issue will be telling with regard to the Cy Young race, though the team focus is surely just on having him built up to full strength for their now-inevitable postseason run. With 20 games left to play and a 12.5-game lead in the AL West, Houston hasn’t mathematically clinched the division crown, but that’s a fait accompli at this juncture. The Astros have the best record in the American League and the second-best record in baseball, trailing only the Dodgers, positioning them for a first-round bye in this year’s newly expanded 12-team playoff format.
That will give Houston the luxury of lining up the rotation however the team deems fit. Assuming he’s at full strength, Verlander would be the obvious choice to take the ball in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, likely to be followed by lefty Framber Valdez, who figures to get some down-ballot recognition in this year’s Cy Young voting himself. With Lance McCullers Jr. back on the active roster and 25-year-old righties Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia each pitching well (Javier, in particular) — the Astros are deep in options for their postseason rotation.
Verlander is just built different.
A bit like me
Don’t forget Jose Urquidy and Hunter Brown.
Christian Vazquez isn’t so bad either. Should be in the rotation as they are always looking to bump him.
Sorry meant Cristian Javier. Vazquez should be in them lineup more however. And Javier should stick in the rotation, and not be bumped to the bullpen.
the issue is that Javier has proven able to work out of the bullpen, the others, not so much
Hunter Brown also work quite a bit out of the pen in AAA this year. I see them taking him for long relief
Christian Vasquez is a Cather, not a pitcher. I’m assuming you mean Christian Javier.
Yes, as you saw above I immediately corrected the name.
Javier’s number are ridiculous and he should not be relegated to the bullpen.
As a Detroit fan, Verlander pitching in the postseason will be the most exciting part of the playoffs for me this year. Would have went to the game on this homestand had he been pitching.
@bigfoot i conquer i watched both wanio and verlander both pitch as rookies in the 06 ws, and though ver lost that game, as a rookie he pitched that game like a hof’er. i’m hoping wanio makes into the hall just so i can say i saw 4 maybe 5 hof’er play in that ws (the 5th guy is rolen, other than wanio being borderline yadi, ver and prince al are sure locks)
Who are you conquering? Oh, wait, you meant concur. Never mind Cheddar.
@coop sorry i suck at spelling and siri brought that up as the correction and it looked right so i went with it lol, but yea i meant to say concur. /s no bleep of you bloody wanker for correcting my english skills (lol)
Any player that takes a mini vacation break down the stretch like he did should not be considered for the Cy. Dylan Cease is still out there grinding and should be rewarded for his season, but the BBWA won’t award it to a player like him. They prefer higher payed players with a better track record of sending thank you gifts that teeter on payola.
Astros are poised here looking strong in the AL right now
Yes and water is wet.
Yes and your a .. well, you know the rest 😉
With or without their ace I don’t see the Astros advancing past the Yanksters in the postseason and I am a fan of neither.
@die tbh as a fan of neither as well, unless nyy pulls there head out of there ahole, i don’t see them making it past the wc round or there division
Well Mr BB….Yankee fans hope they will win the division unless there is a terrible collapse, so there won’t be a Wild Card round…..and even the 98 team went into a bit of a funk at the end….so they’re as well positioned right now as they can be….whether they make it past will depend on good pitching, and they have it, and timely hitting……
@rocky i hope your right nyy we’re playing to good early to let it fall apart, but it seems like there trying to blow it and judge is dragging them to oct kicking and screaming. regardless i don’t care who wins the al because my birds are going to win the nl and ws so the rest of the league might as well make golf plans lol. i’m hoping that becomes true but in all honesty if you can get to october anyone has a chance even my birds or who ever wins the alc (which might be weaker than my birds nlc)
Don’t forget the only team to no hit the Yankees this year is the Astros. Also, we are 5-2 over the year against them. There best hitter, probably the best hitter of the entire year in Judge is batting below 200 against the Astros pitching staff. I fully expect to see another Yankees Astros ALCS this year. And it’s going to be a real good series!
I look forward to that series!
Based on what? Absolutely nothing the Yankees have shown would make them seem like the better team.
No one ever said they were. I simply said the Astros are the only team to no hit the Yankees not just once this year, but in over 55 years the Yankees have been no hit 2x. Both by the Astros. What I said is they are both the best teams in there division and should advance to the ALCS making for another very good series. Maybe you should read the entire comment instead of scanning through them before you yourself make a comment.
He’s addressing diehardfriarsfanfromthe619.