Justin Verlander struggles again in World Series, now owns worst ERA in Fall Classic history
Phillies rallied from a 5-0 deficit to win 6-5 in 10 innings. “A lot of credit to them as a lineup. They laid off some good pitches and they were able to, when I did execute the pitches, they were able to foul it off or put it in play and find a couple hits that way. Then when I did make a mistake, they hit it hard.”
Verlander cruised to begin the game, retiring the first 10 batters he faced and enjoyed a 5-0 cushion entering the fourth inning. But that’s when things fell apart. He gave up three runs, including a two-out, two-run double to Alec Bohm in the fourth and a two-run double to J.T. Realmuto to tie the game in the fifth inning.
Perhaps a simple single from Rhys Hoskins to break up Verlander’s perfection was all the Phillies needed.
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Verlander, who was 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA this season, has struggled in Game 1’s in the Fall Classic, owning a 10.29 ERA when opening the World Series. Most notably, he yielded two of Pablo Sandoval’s three home runs in Game 1 of the 2012 Series, which ended with San Francisco sweeping Verlander’s Detroit Tigers.
Now, the heavily favored, 106-win Astros are in a hole.
“I think this team, we have an ability when our back’s against the wall to play our best baseball,” said Verlander, who would remain on turn for a possible Game 5 start in Philadelphia. “I expect nothing different moving forward from everybody in this locker room, including myself. And hopefully I get another opportunity to pitch and can do better.”