BY GEORGE DICKIE
A torn ulnar collateral ligament is a diagnosis that no
pitcher wants to hear. But if ever there was proof that one
can still thrive afterward no matter their age, it is the case
of Justin Verlander.
Indeed, nearly two years after having Tommy John
surgery to repair the dreaded injury, the Houston Astros'
two-time Cy Young winner is back and arguably better
than ever – and that is saying something given his Hall of
Fame-caliber career.
As of late July, the 39-year-old righthander was the
majors' first 13-game winner, sporting a 13-3 won-
lost record with a 1.86 ERA, a WHiP of 0.88 and 117
strikeouts and only 21 walks in 116 innings. Perhaps more
importantly, his velocity is as good or better than it's ever
been.
That was seen in a recent game against the Seattle
Mariners, when his fastball averaged 96.3 mph and topped
out at 99 mph in his last
inning of work, the seventh,
in a 3-1 Houston victory.
For the year, his fastball is
averaging 94.9 mph, slightly
above his career average of
94.4.
Verlander's Astros can be
seen in action Monday, Aug.
15, when they pay a visit to
the Chicago White Sox in a
game airing on FS1.
Verlander makes stellar
comeback with Astros
• FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 15 - 21, 2022 •
Steve Toussaint stars in
"House of the Dragon,"
premiering Sunday on
HBO and HBO Max.
YOUR WEEKLY GUIDE TO TV ENTERTAINMENT
FOOTBALL IS BACK!
UNDER THE LIGHTS 2022
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The Goshen news
COMING 8.17.22
