Houston Astros: Justin Verlander addition better late than never

The Houston Astros traded away three prospects for Justin Verlander in an effort to increase their chances of bringing the first World Series trophy to the state of Texas this year.

The Houston Astros lack of moves at the non-waiver deadline certainly ruffled the feathers of fans and media alike. Watching all the Astros’ competitors for a World Series title improve their rosters in preparation for the postseason while we stood pat was worrying to say the least.

But the Verlander deal comes better late than never. The Astros built as big a cushion as you could have in the American League, leading every team by double digit games at the all-star break.

The Astros’ lead now is down to 2.5 games over the surging Cleveland Indians, a team that I wrote earlier about how they’re the biggest road block of any team to our chances at a World Series. A team that now has a greater run differential than we do at +166 to our +163.

Before this season, the Astros talked about how they needed a veteran presence on this team. The talent was there, but players that could steadily guide the younger players through tough times was the missing element.

Our complete offense not just talent wise but with the additions of Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann as guys who’ve been there before have had a positive effect on the team. And now Verlander does the same for our rotation.

Justin Verlander has made 16 playoff starts. That is 10 more playoff starts than our entire pitching staff has. Verlander is a huge veteran presence like McCann and Beltran on the pitching side of things.

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Putting Verlander in the two spot of our rotation in a playoff series alleviates the pressure Lance McCullers Jr. would have should Dallas Keuchel fail in game one of a series. Instead of a young pitcher who has one postseason start, and that’s if he is healthy coming back into October, we have a former Cy Young, MVP award winning pitcher who has pitched in the World Series before.

Verlander knows pressure and his presence on the staff going into the post season can’t be overstated. And now that the Astros home field advantage throughout the American League is in doubt unlike it has been most of the season, Verlander helps maintain the Astros chances of having two game seven’s at home in October should it come down to that.

Houston Astros’ fans can now breathe easy knowing that the Astros have made an improvement to their team that addresses one of their biggest holes, and that’s playoff rotation depth. The difference of having Lance McCullers Jr. in the three spot of the rotation gives us, if healthy, one of the best 1-2-3’s in all of baseball.

Next: Three ranges of emotions in Verlander deal

Even if the Astros don’t win this year, Verlander stays with us through 2019 with the Detroit Tigers paying $8 million a year of his contract and we didn’t give up either of our highly touted top two prospects. The Astros scored a big win in this deal. And it’s better late than never.

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