Astros remain in a coma
If anything signifies the end of the Glory Days, it is the sight of the once invincible Justin Verlander pitching against the team he beat in his most dominant and noteworthy victory and getting knocked around like he was pitching in the home run derby.
Verlander gave up three home runs and seven earned runs on eight hits, three walks, and only two strikeouts.
Meanwhile, the Astros remained utterly anemic offensively, the only run for eight innings a solo homer by Kyle Tucker. Indeed, it was the only hit the lineup could muster against Yankees starter Luis Gil in six innings.
Needless to say, the Astros bullpen was no better than the future Hall of Fame starter, With Tay Scott allowing a run, Brandon Bielak two, and Seth Martinez surviving bases loaded, one out with a double play in the eighth inning.
It’s getting about time to concede that the Astros must sell wholesale at the trade deadline. Of course, we remember how the Houston Chronicle declared the World Series-bound Astros dead in 2005 after a 15-30 record. That’s about the pace they’re on now, but lightning never strikes the same place twice. And anyway, this current Astros team doesn’t have three Hall of Fame or near Hall of Fame starting pitchers and a shut-down closer having career years. (Verlander 2024 edition doesn’t qualify)
As Earl Weaver once barked at an umpire, “Are you going to get any better, or is this it?”
As far as the Astros are concerned, it’s starting to look like this is it.
Oh yeah, the Astros subs added two runs in the ninth.