For the third time in his career and for the second time with the Houston Astros, Justin Verlander has won the AL Cy Young Award. Making a miraculous comeback at the age of 39 following Tommy John Surgery, Verlander dazzled all season long for Houston. In his 28 starts in the regular season, Verlander posted a record of 18-4, leading the American League in wins. His 1.75 ERA was a career best, leading all of Major League Baseball. Not only did he lead the majors in ERA, he did so in the WHIP department as well, posting at 0.829 over his 28 starts.
The postseason did not go as well for Verlander as the regular season, but he did pick up two wins in his four starts, including his first career World Series win, in his ninth career start. Verlander's time in Houston might be up after he opted out of his contract following the season. Reports state that he is looking for a Max Scherzer level of deal. In his four plus seasons with Houston, Verlander has made 102 starts in the regular season, posting a record of 61-19 and 2.26 ERA. He is the Astros franchise leader in ERA, WHIP, winning percentage, hits per nine, walks per nine and strikeouts to walks ratio.
With this Cy Young award, Verlander becomes the 11th pitcher in the history of baseball to win the award three times or more. It is the fifth time in Astros history that they have had a pitcher win the Cy Young. Verlander is the first to accomplish this feat twice for the franchise.
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