The Houston Astros are already baseball royalty—their recent World Series dominance in 2022 firmly establishes them as the team to beat. But get ready, because as the 2024 season kicks off, things could get even more intimidating for opposing lineups. The imminent return of ageless wonder-pitcher Justin Verlander could propel the Astros’ rotation from formidable to downright terrifying.

Verlander’s career is a story of resilience and dominance. Just when you might think age or injury would slow him down, he comes roaring back. Market reports note that he’s facing hitters soon and is expected to return in late April or early May. Sure, he’s coming off surgery, but would you bet against the guy who’s already racked up three Cy Young Awards? I wouldn’t.

Astros’ loaded lineup, besides Justin Verlander

Even without Verlander, the Astros’ rotation is a force to be reckoned with. Framber Valdez is a workhorse ace, Cristian Javier is an electric young talent, and Hunter Brown and J.P. France proved last year they’re major league ready. But here’s where things get crazy—there’s a certain terrorsome depth.

Ronel Blanco has his moments, and Spencer Arrighetti is a name to watch. However, the team’s current predicament brings a dose of reality: José Urquidy’s concerning elbow issue complicates the picture. This makes Justin Verlander’s return all the more crucial to bolstering the Astros’ pitching rotation. And that’s not even half of it.

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Let’s be real here—even a slightly diminished Verlander is a massive upgrade for most teams. His presence, experience, and sheer competitiveness (remember that miniscule 1.75 ERA from 2022 and massive 290 strikeout record from 2018?) elevate the entire Astros team.

Is Justin Verlander the Houston Astros’ Lucky Charm?

As Sports Grid points out, Verlander might be a discounted asset for even bettors and fantasy managers, but the upside potential is enormous. He doesn’t need to be vintage Verlander to instantly transform an already strong rotation into a nightmare for hitters.

Houston’s Rotation: A nightmare for hitters

Imagine a scenario where Justin Verlander slots back into this Astros starting rotation. That’s potentially five or more pitchers with unique strengths, leaving opposing teams wondering which version of the Astros they’re getting that day. It’s the kind of depth that lets the ’Stros roll out a dominant arm every single night.

MLB.com anticipates Javier, Valdez, Urquidy (probably), France and Brown on the Opening Day rotation, with Verlander joining sometime in April. This could allow Astros manager Joe Espada to deploy a six-man rotation, keeping arms fresher over a grueling MLB season. So, to answer the question, exactly how nasty will they be?

Justin Verlander Once Recalled the Frantic Moment He Told Wife Kate Upton About His Move to Houston Astros – “I Look at Kate and I Go..”

Remember—this is the Houston Astros we’re talking about. They’ve had a knack for finding, developing, and maximizing pitching talent. If Justin Verlander can contribute anything close to his previous form, we’re likely witnessing the creation of a historically great pitching lineup. For the rest of the league, that’s a truly terrifying thought. Are you taking notes, AL West?