Justin Verlander

At 41 years old, Justin Verlander has this physical status:

College career

During his first year at Old Dominion, Verlander's speed increased to 87 mph (140 km/h). Verlander, a 6 ft (5.96 m) right-handed pitcher who captained the Old Dominion University baseball team for three years, was a right-handed pitcher for the 91 kg (91 kg) right-handed pitcher. He struck out a then-school record 17 batters against James Madison on May 17, 2002. In 2003, he set a school single-season record by collecting 139 strikeouts. With 151 strikeouts, he tied for the first time in 2004 in establishing a new Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) record. Verlander played for at least 427 runs in 335+2/3 innings at Old Dominion University, CAA, and Commonwealth of Virginia (Division I) history. He had 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings during his three years as a professional earned run average (ERA) was 2.57.

Verlander played for the USA national baseball team in 2003 and helped the team win a silver medal in the Pan American Games. In 2002, he was named CAA Rookie of the Year, and in 2003 and 2004, he received All-CAA awards. In 2004, Verlander was named Male Athlete of the Year by the ODU Alumni Association and was the second overall pick in the 2004 Major League Baseball draft by the Detroit Tigers.

Professional career

Verlander's professional baseball career began when he was selected second overall pick by the Detroit Tigers with the second overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft. On October 25, 2004, he agreed to a new one. Verlander made his professional debut in 2005. He played for two of Detroit's minor league affiliates, the Lakeland Flying Tigers (A+) and the Erie SeaWolves (AA), as well as two games for the Tigers in July. Verlander joined the SeaWolves on June 20 after a 9-two record and a 1.67 ERA in 13 starts for Lakeland.

Verlander made his MLB debut on July 4, 2005. In his first two starts of the season, he went 0–2 with a 7.15 ERA.

He was left out of spring training for the 2006 Tigers. Verlander went 17-19-9 for a 3.63 ERA in his first full Major League season, tossing out 124 batters in 186 innings. Verlander, Joel Zumaya, and Fernando Rodney all threw multiple fastballs over 100 mph (160 km/h) at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California, on July 4, 2006 (160 km/h). It was the first time three pitchers on the same team had done so during a game. In 2006, he allowed one stolen base and selected seven baserunners from a stolen base. He became the first rookie pitcher in the game to win ten games before June and was named AL Rookie of the Year at the end of the season. Verlander was the Tigers starting pitcher against Anthony Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the 2006 World Series; it was the first time two rookies met together to start a World Series. In five games, the Tigers lost the series to the Cardinals.

Verlander's good fortune continued in 2007 as he scored 18 victories and posted a 3.66 ERA with 183 strikeouts in 201+223 innings. Verlander made a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12, striking out twelve and walking four while throwing a fastball at 102 mph (164 km/h).

Verlander lost four games in a row before winning his first one in 2008. With 17 losses, he led MLB in losses. Overall, he finished the 2008 season with an 11–17 win-loss record and a 4.84 ERA.

When Verlander pulled off the feat on July 24, 2009, he became the first Major League starter in 24 years to load the bases with no one out in the ninth inning or later and get out of it without allowing a run. Mike Moore, a Toyn-Mariners hurler, was the last to do it on September 16, 1985.

He finished the 2009 season with a 19-09 record, an ERA of 3.45, and an MLB-leading 269 strikeouts, the most by a Tiger since Mickey Lolich's 308 in 1971, while his 10.1/9 IP strikeout rate led all American League starters. This season, his 19 victories dominated the majors. In the AL Cy Young Award voting, Verlander came in third, behind winner Zack Greinke and runner-up Félix Hernández.

Verlander and the Tigers have signed a five-year contract extension in the offseason. Verlander won his 10th game of the 2010 season on July 3. This was his fourth time in five years he had double digit victories before the All-Star break. Verlander won his 17th game of the season on September 18, beating the Chicago White Sox in a complete game. In four of his first five seasons since Dwight Gooden, Verlander was the first pitcher to win 17 games in four of his first five seasons. He finished the 2010 season with an 18-19 record and a 3.37 ERA, as well as a fanning 219 batters in 224+13 innings.

In a 9–3 win over the White Sox on April 22, 2011, Verlander scored his 1,000th career strikeout, becoming the 15th Tiger to do so. On May 7, he registered his second career no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays, throwing four strikeouts, walking one batter, and throwing at a maximum speed of 102 mph (163 km/h) on the radar gun. He had a flawless game into the eighth inning before allowing a walk to J. P. Arencibia, the only Blue Jays batter to reach base in the game. Arencibia was suspended on a double play, so Verlander was up to the minimum 27 batters for the game. He was the second Tigers pitcher since Virgil Trucks and the 30th pitcher in baseball history to throw multiple no-hitters. Verlander took a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals on May 13 and then surrendered a triple to the sixth inning before losing a triple. He pitched 15+2nd consecutive no-hit innings that were dispersed over three starts.

Verlander went for a no-hitter in the eighth inning on June 14. He pitched 7+13 innings before he gave up a base hit to Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera. Verlander was defeated completely without a single game played out, with only two hits. Ty Wigginton threw another complete game on June 19, allowing only one home run. He recorded a career-high 14 strikeouts against Arizona on June 25, which was his first strikeouts since being drafted. Verlander was selected to his fourth AL All-Star team, but he was unable to participate in the game due to his commitments.

Verlander led the Los Angeles Angels to their eighth inning on July 31 before losing a single to Maicer Izturis. He walked two times and struck out nine out nine. Verlander played in his 100th major league game against the Cleveland Indians on August 11. Verlander became the first Tiger since Bill Gullickson in 1991 to win 20 games, and the first Major League pitcher since Curt Schilling in 2002 to win 20 games before the end of August.

Verlander had won the Triple Crown of pitching in the AL by the season's end, leading the league in victories (24), strikeouts (250; tied for sixth most in Tigers history), and ERA (2.40). Clayton Kershaw, a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, had clinched the National League (NL) Triple Crown earlier this week, marking the first season since 1924 featuring a Triple Crown pitcher in both leagues. Verlander was also a top-five wickets percentage (.821) and win–loss percentage (.828; sixth-best in Tigers history) when racking a Major League record of 0.92 WHIP. Verlander, the most recent pitcher to have pitched 250 innings in a season as of 2022. He never had an outing in which he threw fewer than six innings or 100 pitches. Verlander had the highest career strikeouts/9 innings percentage in Tigers history (8.3), as well as the second-best career win–loss percentage (.652; also the fourth-best percentage of all active pitchers).

Verlander received the AL Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award, the Most Outstanding American League pitcher, and a USA Today American League Cy Young Award in 2011. Verlander was named the best player of Major League Baseball 2K12.

Verlander received both the 2011 AL Cy Young Award and the AL MVP Award. Denny McLain (1969), Willie Hernández (1984), and Dennis Eckersley (1992), the first starting pitcher to win an AL MVP Award since Dennis Eckersley (1992), and the fourth Tigers starter to do so since Roger Clemens (1986). Verlander received the 2011 AL Cy Young Award and later became the AL MVP in a much closer contest. While receiving 13 of 28 first-place votes, Verlander edged out Boston's Jacoby Ellsbury by 280 points to 242 points. After Don Newcombe's career as the Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, and MVP awards, he became the second pitcher in baseball history.

Verlander won by 6–0 on May 18, 2012, after going for a no-hitter in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was his first complete game in his career and his 16th complete game overall, as well as his sixth straight shutout. In the eighth inning, Verlander, who struck out 12 people in the game, was hitting the upper-90s and 100 km/h) for the eighth inning.

In the All-Star Game, Verlander was named to the American League roster and the AL starting pitcher. Former Verlanders Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera joined him as a starter after the former was chosen as a starter. Verlander had a 9-five record and a 2.58 ERA in 18 games, and was leading the AL in innings pitched (132+248), strikeouts (128) and complete games (five). He pitched one inning and gave up five runs in a forgettable All-Star game. Verlander had a 17–8 record in the 2012 regular season. He came in first in the American League in innings pitched (238-13) strikeouts (239), and complete games (six), and last in ERA (2.64).

Verlander began Game 1 and took a 3–1 decision in the 2012 ALDS against the Oakland Athletics. As the Tigers defeated 6–0 and advanced to the 2012 ALCS in the decisive fifth game of the series, he pitched a complete shutout allowing four hits. Verlander, who struck out 11 in each of his ALDS starts, became the first pitcher to have more than ten strikeouts in a winner-take-all postseason shutout. Verlander's 22 strikeouts in the series set a new record for an ALDS.

In Game 3 against the New York Yankees, Verlander made his only appearance in the 2012 ALCS. He won by 2–1 on two out of eight innings, blanking the Yankees hitters on two hits in the eighth innings before giving up a leadoff home run in Eduardo Nez's ninth innings. Verlander had given up one run in Game 1 of the ALDS and one run in Game 3's ninth inning of the ALCS, and one run in Game 3's ninth inning, tying for 24 consecutive scores in between.

He pitched Game 1 of the 2012 World Series against the San Francisco Giants and gave up five earned runs in four innings pitched, including giving up two home runs to eventual World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval as the Tigers were swept in the Series.

In a close AL Cy Young Award competition, Verlander came in second, second, to David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. Verlander gained 149 points (12 first-place votes) to Price's 153 points (13 first-place votes). Verlander's second straight AL Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award will be twinning with David Price.

Verlander and the Tigers signed a seven-year, $180 million contract, with a $22 million vesting option for 2020 if he finishes in the top five in Cy Young Award voting in 2019. This deal made him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history.

Verlander led the Tigers to their sixth-consecutive Opening Day against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, winning 42-02. Verlander played his 1,500th game against the Cleveland Indians on May 11.

Verlander's manager, Jim Leyland, was selected as a reserve pitcher for the American League All-Star team, which he inherited from his former manager, Jim Leyland, who coached the 2013 AL team. It was Verlander's sixth All-Star pick, but he was ruled out of the Tigers' game on July 14 because he was injured. Verlander was a 10–6 record, 125 strikeouts, and a 3.50 ERA when he first joined the All-Star break.

Verlander had a 13-12 record, a 3.46 ERA, and 217 strikeouts in the 2013 regular season. His 218+1,3 innings pitched were his lowest total score since the 2008 season.

In Game 2 of the 2013 ALDS, Verlander struck out eleven Oakland Athletics hitters in seven shutout innings. The Tigers lost the game, 1–0, in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Verlander did not win. Verlander won by three runs in Game 5 of the same series and taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning. For the third year in a row, the Tigers advanced to the American League Championship Series for the third year in a row. In Game 5 of the ALDS for the second straight season, Verlander defeated the Athletics in Game 5 of the ALDS for the second straight season, and he is one of four starting pitchers in Major League history to win multiple games in elimination postseason games.

Verlander has scored 30 runs in the past season against the Athletics, a major league record for a pitcher versus one team, beating Christy Mathewson's 28 scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Athletics from 1905 to 1911. Verlander is the second pitcher in Major League history with ten or more strikeouts or no runs allowed in back-to-back postseason games, partnering Sandy Koufax in Games 5 and 7 of the 1965 World Series.

Verlander threw 6+13 innings against the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALCS before losing a solo home run to Mike Napoli in the seventh. Verlander lost by 1–0 after giving up only one run and knocking out ten batters in eight innings. It was Verlander's sixth game in a row with at least 10 strikeouts, more than any other pitcher in MLB postseason history.

In six ALCS games, the eventual World Series champion Red Sox defeated the Tigers. Verlander was 1-1 in 23 postseason innings with a 0.39 ERA and 31 strikeouts; in three of his appearances, the Tigers had scored no runs of offense.

Verlander underwent core muscle surgery on January 9, 2014. Verlander was expected to miss Opening Day in the aftermath of his injuries after his injury, but he returned just in time for training camp in February 2014. Verlander will get off to a new opening-day appearance on March 16, according to Tiger boss Brad Ausmus. During a 6–2 road victory over the San Diego Padres on April 12, Verlander scored his first two hits of his major league career. This was the start of a career with a 0-for-26 record.

In the first half of 2014, Verlander had a rough start. His strikeouts dropped to 6.8 percent for nine innings pitched, compared to an average of 9.2 over the last five years. His ERA and WHIP in the season's first half were both increased to 4.71 and 1.49 respectively. For the first time since 2008, Verlander was not selected to the AL All-Star team, snapping a streak of five straight appearances.

Verlander allowed five runs, four earned, on four hits in only one inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 11, allowing four runs, four earned, in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the shortest game of his career, Verlander left the game with right shoulder pain. In 2008, he was the youngest outing in his career. Verlander will miss his first appearance in his career.

In the second half of 2014, Justin fared marginally better. His season ERA and WHIP dropped to 4.54 and 1.398, respectively. He won his final three decisions to finish with a 15–12 record, and the Tigers won the game in 6 of his last eight starts. His strikeout rate remained low, but he finished with 159 strikeouts and a 6.9 K/9 IP average, both the lowest since his 2006 rookie season. He claimed in 2018 that he did not fully recover from the core surgery during the 2014 season, contributing to lower sales figures than his career averages.

Verlander began the 2015 season on the disabled list due to a right triceps strain, snapping his streak of seven consecutive Opening Day starts for the Tigers. Following 298 career starts and 1,978 innings pitched, Verlander was the first time he had been placed on the DL in his major league career. Verlander has thrown more pitches since his rookie season in 2006, with 32,535 pitches in the regular season and 1,688 in the playoffs.

Verlander was transferred to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens for a rehabilitation assignment on May 31. It was his first time pitching for the Mud Hens after being promoted from Double-A to the major leagues in 2005. In 2+23 innings, he threw 79 pitches, 50 for strikes, allowing six hits and two walks. In his second rehab start on June 6, he did his best with 5+2/3 innings and throwing 93 pitches (69 for strikes). While striking out nine batters, he surrendered just one unearned run on four hits and no walks. Verlander made his season debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 13 in the Cleveland Indians. He pitched five innings, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks when striking out two runs. He led the game 3–2 lead but got a no-decision as the Indians came back against the Tiger bullpen to win the game. Verlander's home run came as a result in Alex Rodriguez's 3,000th career appearance.

Verlander came within three outs of his third no-hitter before allowing a double to Chris Iannetta, the first batter in the ninth inning. In a 5–0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, he finished the game with a single hit, two walks, and nine strikeouts. This was his seventh complete game shutout in his career and his second in complete game one-hitter. Verlander ended 2015 with a 5–8 record in 20 starts, but his other stats were a marked improvement over the previous season. He had a 3.38 ERA and 1.088 WHIP. His walking speed decreased to 2.2 percent in comparison to 7.6.

Verlander's 1,981st strike out in his Tiger career came on May 8, defeating Jack Morris for second position on the list of all-time Tiger strikeout leaders. He only knows Mickey Lolich, who had 2,679 strikeouts as a Tiger, but he hasn't lost. Verlander fanned Eddie Rosario of the Twins for his 2,000th career strikeout on May 18, becoming only the second Tigers pitcher to reach the milestone after Lolich. In 117-1.2 K/9), Verlander went into the 2016 All-Star break with an 8–6 record, 1.13 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts.

For July, Verlander was named American League Pitcher of the Month. He was 4–0 with a 1.69 ERA in six July starts, holding opposing hitters to a.171 average and striking out 48 batters in 42+2/3 innings. Verlander finished first in innings pitched, tied for first in ERA, and tied for third place in wins among qualifying starters in the AL (minimum 28.0 innings pitched). Verlander had only 26 hits in his 42-23-38 July innings and had a 0.891 WHIP. Verlander played out 12 Cleveland Indians batters on September 27, giving him his first eight games this season, in which he had totaled 10 or more strikeouts. After the 2016 All-Star Break, Verlander was one of the best starters in the majors. Justin compiled an 8-3 record, 1.96 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 134 strikeouts in 110+1,3 innings from July 15 to 19. The Tigers scored a total of two runs in his three losses.

Verlander led the American League for the fourth time in his career after finishing the 2016 season with a 16-9 record. He also finished second in the AL with a 1.00 WHIP and his 3.04 ERA ranked second, placing him second. His strikeout rate of 10.0 per 9 IP was his second-best of his career, trailing only the 10.1/9 rate reported in 2009. His 4.46 strike out-to-walk ratio was a career high and a Tiger record for a season, beating Denny McLain's record of 4.44 in 1968. Since turning 33 years old, Verlander joined Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens as the only three American League pitchers to beat out 250 or more batters in a season. Verlander's 26 quality starts were tied for the AL lead (with former Tiger Rick Porro). He threw 3,668 pitches, more than any other major league pitcher.

Verlander, R. A. Dickey, and Dallas Keuchel were among the recipients of the Gold Glove Award at pitcher for the first season. Verlander's five Defensive Runs Saved put him fourth among AL pitchers, as did his 29 assists. All AL pitchers were top-plus Replacement (WAR) in his 6.61 wins over replacement (WAR). Verlander was named in the Detroit Chapter of the BBWAA as his third Tiger of the Year Award.

Following the season, Verlander was named by the BBWAA as a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award, alongside Corey Kluber and former teammate Rick Porchero. In the second-closest election in history (to the 2012 AL Cy Young competition, Verlander finished second in Cy Young voting, losing by five points, 132–137. Verlander gained 14 first-place votes to Portiono's eight first-place votes, but Verlander was left off two ballots. It was the third time in history and first in the AL that a pitcher won the Cy Young Award without receiving the most first-place votes.

Verlander tied for the most strikeouts on Opening Day with ten, becoming the first Tigers player to do so since Mickey Lolich in 1970. Verlander earned his first career RBI in an August 30 game against the Colorado Rockies, his last game as a Tiger, in his 51st plate appearance in interleague play.

The Tigers sent Verlander to the Houston Astros for prospects Franklin Pérez, Jake Rogers, and Daz Cameron, two seconds before the waiver trade deadline on August 31. Verlander won his Astros debut against the Seattle Mariners on September 5, giving up one run and striking out seven out seven over six innings. On September 17, he started and won the AL West division-clinching game for the Astros, knocking out one run and striking out ten Mariners batters over seven innings. He played in all five games with Houston during his regular season, posting a 1.06 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in those games. The Astros opted to postpone Verlander's last scheduled game on Sunday, October 1st and have him start the ALDS' first game. As a result, Verlander completed the 2017 regular season with a 15-08 record, 3.36 ERA, 1.175 WHIP, and 219 strikeouts in 206 innings. For the second year in a row, he threw 3,531 pitches, more than any other major league pitcher.

Many believed Verlander had lost the fastball velocity to which most fans had aspired after a couple of seasons of injury-ridden seasons. However, his speed increased to an average of 95.3 in his 2017 run, four miles per hour faster than his average in 2014 (91.2), with three MPH faster than his average in 2015 (92.3). For the first time since his 2013 debut, he also reached triple digits on the radar gun in 2017.

In the Astros' 3-games-to-one ALDS victory over the Boston Red Sox, Verlander won two games. In the clinching Game 4, he started and won Game 1 and picked up his second victory with 2+2/3 innings of relief. He began Game 2 of the ALCS against the Yankees on October 14, a 13-strike out victory and a 2–1 complete game victory. The Astros won the game with a ninth-inning walk-off double by shortstop Carlos Correa that brought home second baseman José Altuve. In a 7-1 victory over the Yankees, Verlander pitched seven shutout innings in Game 6 of the ALCS, with the Astros eliminated. In Game 7, the Astros advanced to the World Series for the second time in franchise history. Verlander went 20, with a 0.56 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched during the ALCS. He was named as the ALCS MVP after his outstanding play.

Verlander's third appearance in a World Series was a no-decision in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed only two hits in six innings, but both runs were home runs and he left the game trailing 3–1. The Astros eventually won the game 7–6 in 11 innings. Verlander had three hits and two runs in six innings but was disqualified in a 3–1 final with a chance to clinch the series. It was the first time in Verlander's career that he failed to win a series of-clinching games in the postseason, after going 3–0 in his three previous attempts. It was also his first loss as a member of the Astros. In Game 7, the Astros defeated the Dodgers for his first World Series title.

Verlander made six appearances and five starts in the 2017 season, being credited with a 4–1 record, eight walks, and 38 strikeouts in 36+2'3 innings. Verlander was also named winner of the Babe Ruth Award as co-MVPs of the 2017 postseason, alongside Jose Altuve.

Verlander was named as the Astros' opening day starter on March 5, 2018. This was his 10th career opening day and first with Houston. He began and triumphed over Cole Hamels of the Texas Rangers on March 29, pitching six shutout innings and striking out five.

Verlander, unlike in previous seasons, started masterfully in 2018, leading an Astros rotation that began the season as the most dominant in the major leagues. Verlander went 4–0 in April with a 1.36 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 40 innings. On April 17, he was named AL Player of the Week for the first week in 15 innings over two starts this week; in 15 innings over two starts, he struck out 20 runs and set a.100 opponents' batting average.

Verlander struck out 14 Yankees in Houston on May 1, tying his career high over eight shutout innings. For his eighth career shutout and 24th complete game, Verlander threw a complete shutout against the Los Angeles Angels on May 16. He struck out Shohei Ohtani in the ninth inning of his career, his highest strikeout in Major League history, defeating him for the 33rd time. He came in second place in strikeouts behind CC Sabathia.

Verlander led the AL in 17 categories, most notable: ERA (1.11), Wins (8.1), H/9 Innings (4.8), and BAA (.153). For May, Verlander was named AL Pitcher of the Month, his fifth such honor. He had a 0.86 ERA and.437 OPS against, allowed nine extra-base hits, while striking out 50 over 4201 2nd innings. He started and ended the month by dominating the Yankees, the only lineup in baseball with an OPS over.800, with 20 strikeouts and only one run allowed in 14+2/3 innings.

Verlander's seventh All-Star Game and his first with the Astros was announced on July 8. Allerdings, Verlander got his scheduled start on Sunday, but he did not pitch in the game.

In a crucial 9–4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on August 19, Verlander batted out six runs while giving up four earned runs. Verlander's win was his 200th start to play in Major League history, with only the 20th pitcher to do so in 412 starts or fewer.

Verlander won on September 10, his first appearance in Detroit since being traded, while allowing two runs on six hits in seven innings pitched. He struck out ten batters for his 258 strikeouts this season, giving him 258 strikeouts. Verlander and Gerrit Cole were the first teammates to strike out at least 250 batters in the same season since Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling 2002. During his performance, Verlander received many standing ovations, and Comerica Park hosted a tribute video showcasing highlights from his 13 years as a Tiger. With an 11-strike out win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 16, Verlander tied his career high of 269 strikeouts in a season for the first time in a season. In a 10–5 win over the Los Angeles Angels on September 22, Verlander set a new career record in the next game. Verlander struck out 11 in six innings but only gave up one hit, extending his career's to 280 strikeouts. Verlander also helped set a new Major League record for the Astros with their 1,069th strikeout by their starters in a season, tying the record set by the Cleveland Indians in 2017.

Verlander had a 16-9 record in 214 innings pitched in 2018 and a 2.52 ERA with a career-high 290 strikeouts. He had his lowest ERA since his 2011 season as the American League MVP and Cy Young Award-winning 2011 season, and he led the AL in strikeouts for the fifth time in his career. Verlander had a 0.902 WHIP and a 7.84 strikeouts-to-walks ratio in the major leagues. His 1.6-per-9 IP walk rate was his lowest rate of his career. He had the highest fly ball percentage among major league pitchers (51.4%). He played out 10+ batters in four straight games, giving him his best 13 games of the season so far.

Verlander won in Game 1 of the ALDS, giving two runs in 5+13 innings and striking out seven against the Cleveland Indians. The Astros won a three-game sweep over the Indians and advanced to face the Boston Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. In six innings pitched, Verlander began and won Game 1 of the ALCS in Fenway Park, giving two runs and two hits. Verlander lost Game 5 of the ALCS with his team losing three games to one and losing four runs in six innings. It was the first time he had missed a postseason elimination game in his career.

Verlander finished second in the 2018 AL Cy Young Award voting, taking second place second to Blake Snell of the Tampa Bay Rays by 15 points (169–154). To Snell's 17, Verlander received 13 first-place votes. This was Verlander's third time in the top five for the third time.

Verlander and the Astros agreed on a two-year, $66 million contract extension to keep Verlander with Houston through the 2021 season on March 24, 2019. Verlander opened his 11th appearance on Opening Day on March 28, winning 5–1 over former Cy Young Award holder Blake Snell and the Tampa Bay Rays, earning his 11th appearance on the Tampa Bay Rays.

Verlander threw eight innings of one-run ball on June 1, hitting Cy Young on the all-time MLB strikeouts list and ending the night with 2,809 career strikeouts. On June 6, he struck out seven times against the Seattle Mariners in his next outing, pushing him to the top of the all-time strikeouts list, surpassing Mike Mussina's total of 2,813. Verlander's six batters, 14 of whom were swinging, were out for a career-high fifteen batters in the June 12 match against the Milwaukee Brewers, a career-high fifteen batters out of seven innings. Verlander defeated eight Cincinnati Reds batters to jump past Mickey Lolich for 19th position on the all-time strikeouts list on June 18.

For the eighth time in his career, Verlander was named to the American League All-Star team. Verlander had a 10-three record, 2.86 ERA, 147 strikeouts, and an MLB-leading 0.794 WHIP at the time of the pick. On July 9, Verlander was named as the starting pitcher for the All-Star game for the second time in his career. He retired all three batters he faced, two on strikeouts, and one on strikeouts.

On August 4, Verlander recorded 230 strikeouts for the ninth time in his career. He joined Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Tom Seaver, Pedro Martinez, and Bob Gibson as the only pitchers with nine or more strikeouts. Verlander struck out 11 batters against the Oakland A's on August 16. It was his sixth straight start with 10+ strikeouts, a franchise record for the Astros, and the first pitcher to win this after Max Scherzer and Chris Sale in 2017. Verlander now has more strikeouts than innings pitched in his career, along with his previous start against the Baltimore Orioles on August 11.

Despite allowing no walks and just two hits, both of whom were solo home runs over nine innings, Verlander lost to the Detroit Tigers, 2–1. He is the only pitcher other than Mike Mussina to have pitched a complete game loss without ever throwing a single ball with a runner on base. In the game, Verlander had 11 strikeouts in his seventh straight game in which he had double-digit strikeouts.

Verlander threw his third no-hitter in a road game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 1, his third career no-hitter. In the first inning, he allowed one base-runner, a walk to Cavan Biggio, and struck out 14 batters. In the ninth inning, the Astros' only runs came after Abraham Toro's two-run home run. This was Verlander's second no-hitter against the Blue Jays, his third pitcher of the modern era to no-hit the same team twice, and the first pitcher to pitch both no-hitters against the same team on the road. He is the sixth pitcher to throw three or more no-hitters in their career. He pushed his dominance into his next game, setting a new Astros franchise record for consecutive batters retired in a row on September 7. In 2022, teammate Ryan Pressly tied this record for the first time.

Verlander struck out Kole Calhoun in the bottom of the 4th inning against the Los Angeles Angels on September 28, his 19th hitter to strike out 3,000 hitters. Verlander knocked Calhoun out in the bottom of the 6th for his 300th strike out of the season, a new career record, and his second player in Major League history after Randy Johnson's debut in a 3,000th strikeout in the same game since being a 3,000th strikeout. Verlander and teammate Gerrit Cole became the first two starting pitchers to strike out 300+ hitters in the same season after Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling did it in 2002 for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 223 innings pitched, Verlander finished the 2019 season 21–6 with 300 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA. For the fourth time in his career, he came first in wins for the third time in his career, and first in WHIP for the third time in his career. His 0.803 WHIP was the lowest in a major league season since Pedro Martez had a 0.737 WHIP in 2000. With a 7.14 strikeouts-to-walks ratio, Verlander led the American League in strikeouts ratios of 7.14. He was also first in baseball for pitchers (7.8) and lowest hits per nine innings (5.529). Batters had.171 against him, the lowest in the major leagues, and his left on-base percentage of 88.4% was also the best in the majors. He had the highest fly ball percentage of all major league pitchers (45.2%), which resulted in a career-high 36 home runs allowed.

Verlander struck his 200th postseason strike out of his career, smashing the previous record of 199 set by John Smoltz in game 2 of the 2019 World Series. In a 12–3 loss to the Washington Nationals, he ended the game with six strikeouts, seven hits, and four earned runs in six innings. With the loss, he became the first pitcher in major league history to lose his first five World Series decisions.

Verlander received 171 points and 17 of 30 first-place votes on November 12, 2019, as well as three first-place votes to top teammate Gerrit Cole (159 points, 13 first-place votes). It was also the first time he was given the award while playing for the Houston Astros.

Verlander underwent surgery on his right groin, which required six weeks to recover on March 17, 2020. The season was also delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Verlander won his 12th game in a row on July 24, 2020, after striking out seven runs and giving up two runs in six innings. This was the Astros' eighth straight victory on Opening Day, after winning every Opening Day game since being promoted to the AL West in 2013. Verlander will be shut down with a forearm strain on July 26, 2020, according to a tweeter. Verlander announced on September 19 that he would have Tommy John surgery and would miss the remainder of the 2020 season, as well as the 2021 season, which kept him sidelined until the Astros' contract extension. On September 30, 2020, Verlander underwent the surgery.

He missed the entire 2021 season

Verlander and the Astros announced on December 13, 2021, that he had signed a one-year deal, with an option for a second season.

Verlander returned to 2022 against the Los Angeles Angels for the first time since Opening Day 2020. Verlander had not recorded a single statistic in 2021. In a 2–0 loss, Verlander struck out seven runs and allowed one run over five innings. In a 4–0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on April 16, Verlander threw eight scoreless innings against them, knocking out eight batters. He pitched his 3,000th inning in the seventh, becoming the 138th pitcher in Major League Baseball to do so (only he and Zack Greinke have pitched 3,000 innings among active players). Verlander had a no-hitter through seven innings against the Minnesota Twins on May 10, until Gio Urshela ended the hope in the eighth inning. Verlander had eight innings pitched and five strikeouts in the game, raising his ERA to 1.55 on the season.

Verlander went out of no-hitter in seventh inning against the Oakland Athletics on June 1, until Elvis Andrus struck an RBI double. After striking out 12 hitters over seven innings pitched in a 4–1 victory over the Mariners, Verlander became the career active strikeout leader, passing Max Scherzer. With his 3,085th strikeout, Verlander also beat John Smoltz on the all-time strikeout list to rank 17th all-time all-time list.

Verlander made his ninth appearance in the All-Star Game, which was hosted at Dodger Stadium. On July 16, he beat the A's 5–0 victory, extending his career strikeouts to 3,121, beating Curt Schilling (3,116) and Bob Gibson (3,117) for his 14th position all time. Verlander was 12-3, with an 8.0 percent WHIP, and 108 strikeouts as of the All-Star break. Per STATS, LLC, he was the first pitcher in history to have reached or exceeded each of the following: 2.00 ERA, 12 wins,.800 batting average,.200 batting average,.900 WHIP, and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.00. In an 11–1 loss to the Mariners on July 29, he allowed one run in 7+2/3 innings. It was Verlander's 240th victory of his career, putting him in a tie for fifth all-time with Frank Tanana. Verlander played 130 innings on August 4 to actuate the player option for the 2023 season.

Verlander won by 4–2 over the Minnesota Twins on August 23, 2022, throwing 6 hitless innings and knocking out 10 batters. Verlander surpassed Pedro Martnez on the all-time strikeout list and defeated Scherzer once more as the current career leader in strikeouts. Verlander got off to a promising right calf pain on August 28 and was sent to the 15-day IL for what appeared to be a mild muscle fascia tear, according to an MRI. Verlander threw five hitless innings against the A's on September 16, leading the Astros to a 5–0 victory and their sixth straight playoff appearance. To stretch their winning streak to six games, he walked one and struck out nine.

Houston cruised to a 10–0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in his last start of the regular season on October 4. Verlander gave Houston a 10-strike out, no-hit performance over 5 innings. He defeated Ferguson Jenkins and Scherzer for 12th on the all-time strikeout list, defeating Jim Deshaies (1986) for the Astros' highest number of consecutive strikeouts in the game.

Verlander's 2022 season brought an 18–4 record, 1.75 ERA, and 185 strikeouts in 175 innings pitched. Even though leading the American League in victories, he dominated all Major Leagues in ERA, WHIP (0.829), and BAA (.186). He won his first ERA since his 2011 MVP campaign, and set the lowest qualifying ERA in the AL since Pedro Martinez' 1.74 record in 2000.

Verlander was named as the Houston Astros Pitcher of the Year for the third time since being voted BBWAA's third time and third in three straight seasons with the club.

Verlander won by 4–2 over the Yankees in Game 1 of the 2022 ALCS. It was his eighth double-digit strikeout attempt in the postseason, his eighth in the major leagues, beating a new record. He struck out a record-tying six consecutive hitters in Game 3 of the 2013 ALCS, repeating an achievement of his in Game 3 of the 2013 ALCS.

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