Justin Verlander Actually Has One of the Highest World Series ERAs in History
The Astros are down 0-2 to the Nationals in the World Series right now, just like everyone (no one) expected. If they want any chance of getting back in this series, they're going to need one of their ace pitchers to step up and shutdown Washington's offense.
Well, it looks as if one of these guys may not be able to do that. This is no other than Justin Verlander, who is considered one of the top pitchers in the game and maybe even the best this decade. But, upon looking at his World Series numbers, you'd have no idea how good he was.
Justin Verlander has the fourth-highest ERA in #WorldSeries history.
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) October 24, 2019
1. Don Newcombe (8.59 ERA)
2. Carl Erskine (5.84 ERA)
3. Hank Borowy (5.76 ERA)
4. Justin Verlander (5.73 ERA)
5. Don Sutton (5.26 ERA)
(*minimum 5 WS starts) pic.twitter.com/O9qqwUZzON
Verlander has an ERA well above 5.00 in six starts. That's a decent sample size that has some questioning if he tends to shrink on the biggest stage.
Justin Verlander is now 0-5 in the World Series with an ERA of 5.73.
— Daniel Preciado (@DanJPreciado) October 24, 2019
Clayton Kershaw is 1-2 with an ERA of 5.40.
This is something to take note of, but shouldn't lead to any conclusions. Verlander has had some rough World Series starts, but a few of them have also been due to his team not stepping up like on Wednesday night. He gave up four runs in six innings, but Houston didn't bring much offense and had a horrible seventh inning that completely took them out of the game.
The Astros have just fallen apart in the 7th as Zim gets two more runs. A six-run seventh inning. Nats lead 8-2.
— The Athletic DC (@TheAthleticDC) October 24, 2019
We'll see if Verlander can turn it around in his next start and reverse this trend.