By Agence France-Presse
HOUSTON – Houston Astros star pitcher Justin Verlander has won nearly every award Major League Baseball offers, but has endured epic frustration and futility on the sport’s biggest stage – the World Series.
In this file photo taken on October 23, 2019 Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros is taken out of the game against the Washington Nationals during the seventh inning in Game Two of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Photo by ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
The 36-year-old American right-hander is the first pitcher to lose his first five World Series decisions. His 5.73 earned-run average (ERA) is the fourth-worst of all pitchers with five or more World Series starts.
So when Verlander takes the mound for the Astros in Tuesday’s sixth game of Major League Baseball’s best-of-seven final, he’ll have a chance to break his World Series curse or push it to epic levels.
The Astros ripped Washington 7-1 on Sunday to seize a 3-2 World Series lead and can capture a second title in three seasons for Houston with a game six victory.
Verlander dreams of destiny making his first World Series win a title-clincher.
”That would be a moment I would cherish in my career if that were able to happen,” Verlander said.
A loss would force a one-game winner-take-all showdown for the championship on Wednesday in Houston.
The Astros return to Verlander after he lost game two, suRrendering four runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings, including a homer to Kurt Suzuki.
It was so bad Verlander fell and threw the ball off his leg trying to make a fielding play.
”Excited to get back and play in front of our home crowd,” Verlander said.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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