Justin Verlander laying the foundation for a deep Astros playoff run

Justin Verlander has already paid dividends for the Houston Astros. Of course, the true test begins in October. No worries there either. Verlander’s presence is just what the Astros need for a deep playoff run.

Just minutes before the August 31st waiver deadline, the Houston Astros finally followed through in acquiring Justin Verlander. It was a delayed move. Houston was hesitant to give up any of their farm talent, and as they stayed silent through the July 31st trade deadline, most everyone assumed they would fight for a championship with their current squad.

The hesitancy shown by the front office did not sit well with the team, specifically Astros’ ace Dallas Keuchel. When questioned about the team’s trade deadline approach, Keuchel admitted he was ‘disappointed’ in the Astros staying pat, while other contenders improved their rosters at the deadline.

Perhaps Keuchel’s words were taken to heart, or maybe a waiver deal was part of GM Jeff Luhnow’s plan all along. Nevertheless, Justin Verlander is now a member of the Houston Astros, and boy are they glad.

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After spending all 13 years of his big league career with the Detroit Tigers, Verlander has transitioned seamlessly into the Houston starting rotation. The 34-year-old has been close to perfect with his new team. Through four starts, Verlander is 4-0 with a microscopic 0.65 ERA. He has consumed 28 innings over the four starts and each win has come against an Astros’ division opponent (two against the Angels and two against the Mariners). The Astros are coincidentally 15-6 since acquiring Verlander.

Verlander’s performance thus far has been sensational, but nothing really matters until the playoffs begin.

The expectations are off the charts for the newcomer, however, he is anything but new to the playoff scene. Justin Verlander brings significant postseason experience to the Astros. He has endured 16 career postseason starts in which he has a 7-5 record. The rest of the Astros starting pitchers have combined for six postseason starts. Playoff experience and playoff success is the sole reason the Houston Astros acquired Verlander.

We will see how the ‘Stros set their playoff rotation. Will they give the nod to the veteran Verlander or the consistent Keuchel? Verlander has the hot hand, but Keuchel is the established ace of the Astros. It’s certainly a good problem to have. Had Houston never acquired Justin Verlander, they would be in a much more precarious dilemma.

Verlander’s presence has influenced the Astros more from a mental standpoint than a performance standpoint. He’s been outstanding when taking the mound, but he performs only once every five games. Houston has been the most consistent ball club start to finish in 2017, but doubt remained up until Verlander showed up. You heard the concern from Dallas Keuchel first hand.

The Astros made it a priority this past offseason to bring in veteran leadership. Carlos Beltran, Josh Reddick, and Brian McCann all joined Houston for the 2017 season. Each player brought postseason experience, but from the offensive side of the game. Moreover, the Astros young and inexperienced rotation remained through August 31st.

Keuchel has been fantastic this season, and the Astros have benefited from breakout seasons from Charlie Morton and Brad Peacock. However, an injury riddled Lance McCullers disrupted Houston’s initial plans.

McCullers was the second best pitcher on the Astros’ staff. He was expected to carry a heavy load for Houston once the postseason surfaced, but the early plans did not go accordingly due to injury. In steps Justin Verlander. The addition of Verlander pushes each Astros’ starter back one rotation spot. They now appear to be a more threatening playoff team with the experienced playoff arm up front, and with the less experienced arms being pushed to a less intimidating rotation spot.

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A Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel led Houston Astros bunch will be dangerous in the postseason. They will matchup just fine with any opposing one-two rotation punch. Charlie Morton and Brad Peacock will keep the Astros competitive, and Lance McCullers can serve as a dominant long reliever in the many playoff instances in which there is an early hook fora starting pitcher.

The Astros are equipped and ready to make a run at the World Series. Justin Verlander might just be the cherry on top that can take the Houston Astros to the promise land.