EXORCISING DEMONS
Astros' pitcher Justin Verlander is 0-5 in World Series starts but will try to close out the Nationals on Tuesday night
George Springer shook his head at theme re mention of Houston Astros teammate Justin Verlander's past October trouble, the only pitcher in baseball history to go 0-5 in the World Series.
"We wouldn't be here without him," Springer declared. "I don't care what individual stats say."
Then, as if to emphasize the point, the Astros outfielder repeated himself :" We wouldn't be here without him. So I'm glad that we're handing the ball to him. We'll see what happens."
Verlander will get a chance to make people forget his post season struggles, including losses in win-and-advance games in this year' s AL Division Series and Championship Series, if he can help Houston clinch a second championship in three years. The 36-year-old right-hander will start Game 6 at home against Stephen Strasburg and the Washington
National son Tuesday night.
Verlander has not been pitching up to the high standards he established while winning 225 games, collecting 2011 AL Cy Young and MVP honors and earning eight All-Star selections.
After going 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA and 300 Ks during the regular season, this is what he's done in five postseason starts in 2019: 1- 3, 4.15 ERA, 35 strikeouts, 11 walks.
That includes a 12-3
loss in Game 2, also while facing Str as burg. Five days later, V er lander gets another shot at the Nationals.
YANKEES: Fired Larry Rothschild as pitching coach after nine seasons.