Astros can still ‘bank’ on injured $86 million star in postseason

After a concerning start to the season, the Houston Astros have figured things out and are poised for an eighth-straight playoff run.

But one mainstay from both of the team’s World Series championships has looked like a shell of his former self.

Justin Verlander, who rejoined the Astros after signing a two-year, $86.6 million deal with the New York Mets in 2022, has struggled with injury this season. His ERA stands at 5.30, the worst mark since his rookie season, and he’s now in danger of being left off of the playoff roster .

But Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz believes the three-time Cy Young Award winner will figure it out in time to pitch come October.

“I think the Astros are still one of the teams to beat,” Smoltz said. “I think his injuries have taken a toll on his year this year, but I’m not counting them out to figure it out. I would bank on him figuring it out.”

Verlander has been a staple of the Astros’ postseason success, racking up 10 wins in 21 starts across five playoff runs with the team. But the 41-year-old opened the season on the injured list and has missed extended time this season with neck soreness. Those ailments led to one of the worst outings of his career last time he took the bump, as he allowed eight runs and eight hits to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But as the most accomplished pitcher in all of Major League Baseball, Verlander is still getting votes of confidence from more than just Smoltz. Astros manager Joe Espada also noted some optimism in the wake of Verlander’s latest collapse.

“I would not bet against someone with that pedigree and how good this guy’s been for a very long time,” Espada said. “I just know that he’s going to go back and work and try to figure some stuff out. This guy has been really good for a very long time… We need him.”

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