The Houston Astros are going through a tough time now. Their struggles to find their footing in the early season have not been a secret.  However, there’s a bright spot in the thick of their seeming gloom. It’s their ageless wonder, Justin Verlander. In a recent outing against the Cleveland Guardians, Verlander defied Father Time once again, putting on a performance that harkens back to his prime.

“That’s a great performance,” lauded Astros manager Joe Espada. Verlander, at 41 years old, threw seven strong innings, reaching a fastball velocity of 97 mph – reminiscent of the legendary Nolan Ryan at a similar age. He struck out key batters and needed a mere 97 pitches to complete his outing.

Justin Verlander’s reaction to his powerful play on the mound 

Verlander in a post-game interview opened up about his performance as well. In addition to his own words, even manager Joe Espada weighed in. He said, “He gave us a chance to win the game. That’s Justin Verlander at his best right there.” Despite the Astros’ eventual loss, Verlander was clearly a dominant force on the mound. He allowed only two earned runs and bagged his 343rd career quality start, surpassing Jamie Moyer for 22nd on the all-time list.

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While acknowledging his own satisfaction, Verlander continued to show modesty. He admitted, “Still had too many erratic pitches, I thought”. He credited his defense for making key plays and acknowledged the challenge presented by the Cleveland Guardians who were a rather tough competition to the Astros. 

His words only displayed how focused he is on delivering for the team. Moreover, irrespective of how well he performed, he did not forget to appreciate the efforts of his team. He shared, “I had some nice defensive plays behind me and was able to kind of force the issue against a team that doesn’t swing and miss a lot. They put the ball in play a lot. My game plan was to attack and try to get them to make some quick outs and get deep in the game, especially after the bullpen being taxed after last night.”

Can Verlander take the Houston Astros to glory with his magic on the mound? 

Verlander’s outing was a crucial one for the Astros, particularly with their bullpen taxed from a previous extra-inning game. He also knew the importance of going deep into the game. And it was his experience shone right through the the Astros’ troubles. 

Despite the Astros losing, Verlander’s performance was was a ray of hope for the team. His unwavering dedication and ability to defy expectations have been a much-needed source of inspiration for the team. As Houston navigates through a challenging season, Verlander’s presence on the mound provides a reminder of the Astros’ potential and the indomitable spirit of a true pitching legend.