My Favorite Wife: The Justin Verlander Thread

Lost, but pretty solid start yesterday: 7 IP, 2 runs, 2 BB, 4 K. Of course hoping for him vs. Scherzer in a crucial September game.

I didn't realize he won his 250th game the other day (and 251st last night)--did that get any attention? There must have been stories about how he'll be the last guy ever to win 250. He turned 40 in February, so 300 seems almost inconceivable. But I wouldn't rule it out completely if he wants to keep going. Ryan pitched till he was 46, Randy Johnson 45, Clemens 44; whether one or all of them got some help, probably.

Carlton lasted to 43, but his was terrible his last two seasons.

"he"

He seems quite ready to play till nobody wants him, so I guess it'll be health and money, in that order--if he's healthy, I'm sure someone will be willing to pay him.

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/baseball/2023/justin-verlander-mets-300-wins-chase-1234730600/

I feel like 300 wins is one of those achievements that'll definitely be accomplished but it'll truly require a Maddux-like level of being consistently injury free and declining slowly vs precipitously.

There's no one under the age of 30 with 100 career wins. Top 3: Berrios (29 yrs old, 81 wins), Marquez (28 yrs old, 65 wins), Giolito (28 yrs old, 60 wins).

I wonder if Verlander's injury troubles the last few seasons have been a trade-off: costing him wins, obviously, but saving him innings and extending his career. If he is serious about 300, I'd do my best to stay in Houston.

Had the game on in the background last night, listening more than watching. Two outs away from a shutout; got a great inning-ending DP early in the game after loading the bases.

Man, that Justin Verlander's a great pitcher.

https://phildellio.tripod.com/lincecum.jpg

(Kidding around here.)

lol

Returns tonight. He was good last year, but how long can he keep this up? Clemens won a Cy Young at 41; probably had some help. Spahn, Johnson, and Ryan were good. Maddux was so-so. I don't know if there are any other relevant comparisons.

he got shelled in his two minor league rehab outings

Didn't know that...I should have included Seaver and Glavine; both so-so at 41. I left out guys like Jamie Moyer and Bartolo Colon--impressive careers, but not the same caliber as the others. Left out Niekro, too, for obvious reasons.

One guy who famously tried to stretch it out and fell apart at 41 was Carlton.

6 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 4 K, 0 BB, 78 pitches is nice work, even if it is against the nats

8/21 first-pitch strikes is subpar, but maybe even more impressive that he overcame it