Justin Verlander cemented Cy Young with gem lost in Aaron Judge hoopla

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander is having a Cy Young season, but he’s flown under the radar in Aaron Judge’s home run chase.

Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is in the midst of a monster season, but he’s been completely overshadowed by Aaron Judge’s home run chase. In Verlander’s final start of the season, he pitched five flawless innings, allowed no hits, just one walk, 10 strikeouts and produced an ERA of 1.75. Only nobody noticed as Judge crushed his 62nd homer last night.

https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1577486212822011904

He’s consistently been one of the best pitchers in baseball since joining the Astros midway through the 2017 season. And over his lengthy 17-season career, he’s produced an ERA of 3.24, batting average against of .225 and WHIP of 1.12.

He’s one of the most accomplished pitchers in the league. He’s one of few with the most prestigious pitching accomplishment, the Triple Crown of Pitching, which he earned in 2011 with the Detroit Tigers. That season, he produced an ERA of 2.40, BAA of .192 and WHIP of 0.92. Since then, he’s had even better seasons.

He’s no stranger to the Cy Young award, either. He’s earned two in his career.

Astros ace Justin Verlander already has two Cy Young awards

Verlander earned a Cy Young in 2011 and another in 2019. Those were, hands down, the two best seasons of his career before now. His 2019 season was just barely better than his 2022, and this is his next chance at earning another Cy Young.

He only pitched one game in 2020 and sat out the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He’s having a season parallel to his Cy Young ones, only suggesting that he’s bound to earn another one.

He also leads the league in ERA and WHIP. The Astros have one of the best rotations in the league, and Verlander stands out as the leader. He’s more than deserving of another Cy Young.