I do think Verlander is holding back a little. He wants to make sure he's healthy for the playoff. I'm just hoping he gets into shape at least 3 starts before the playoffs.
With the Stros BP if the starter gives the team 5-6 strong innings the team is in good shape. The BP is both really good and really deep.
I just simply don't see any scenario where Verlander isn't in the postseason rotation unless he offers it or is hurt. It's like the 2022 post season. Altuve was beyond terrible the first 2 rounds (.093 BA / .296 OPS, 31% k rate) but was anybody considering sitting him, even for 1 game? Verlander is at that level. Personally, I wish he wasn't but no way Espada or Brown leave him off.
I don't foresee it either with him being left off. I don't think he should be starting games 1 or 2 though.
Right now with Brown, Yusei, Kikuchi, Spencer, and most dominantly Framber pitching at MVP-type levels... any meh performance is going to look really bad by comparison. Just gotta let things play out. Hopefully nobody falls off a cliff... but would be unprecedented for these pitchers to have another month like they did in August, no matter who they're facing.
Based on his current performance I would prefer to put JV in the pen as a long relief option in the play offs. If he improves over the next month I would start him in the second wild card game and fifth game of the longer series.
Yeah I'm at least waiting a month. Too much can happen. Hopefully no injuries. Nobody had this rotation for September.
As of now, definitely not. But, the powers that be....I'm a little concerned about how they're going to handle him. Sense of entitlement...blah, blah, blah...
JV start's lineup really looked like whole team was trying get him a win. Terrible effort by him. One thing is for sure. Other playoff teams and network executives are praying for 1-2 lucky starts for JV dominating this end of regular season. You know. The kind of start where no name pitcher gets the no hitter stuff looking like crap and hard contact but gets all the bounces. That would enable Astros to make stupid decision and broadcasters building narrative of HOF on the mound and then pretend suprised when he ***** his adult diapers and go with that everywhere for 24h news cycle. Little bit like the young ones these days screaming for safe spaces and don't critique ever but at the same time they are making mockery of people just getting old. "Oh dear god what happened to Jack Nicholson!!?". He's fkin 90yo, shut up c**t. Anyhow. Im still baffled how JV managed to be so good end of last year nailing that division. I have some memory he was throwing a loooooot of sliders and not miracle benders but really good control and on FB counts batters waiting for that 4seamer. This is pretty horrible but I don't want him to get real lucky now so there is a chance to do right thing on PS roster. But ofcourse if he suddenly dominates Im overjoyed.
I've changed my mind Game 1: Framber Game 2: Hunter Brown Game 3: Kikuchi Game 4: .......I still think they will go with Verlander, but they need to change his approach. He doesn't have a quality start in him right now. Tell him to be the opener and give them everything he's got for 3 innings. Piggyback him with Blanco/Arrighetti. Get 5-6 innings out of the combo.
