Astros Hall of Fame Index: The Prolonged Farewell
An Ode to Justin Verlander
The first three numbers are fairly straightforward. The waaWL is an estimate of a pitcher’s winning percentage with average defense and run support. Lee Sinins has an online encyclopedia that converts this into neutral wins and losses, though it hasn’t been available for Apple, so I haven’t seen it in years. However, it’s something that can be calculated manually.
The BWAR points are similar to MVP BWAR points, where a pitcher’s top ten finishes in BWAR are considered. Scherzer has an advantage in this area mainly due to staying healthier during his prime. However, the debate typically boils down to Verlander versus Kershaw.
Verlander has generally been more durable and prolific than Kershaw. Yet, on a per-season or per-start basis, Kershaw was undoubtedly better. When the comparison is close, the discussion often shifts to postseason performance, where the gap is more noticeable.
Verlander: 17-12, 226.0 innings, 3.58 ERA, 244 strikeouts
Kershaw: 13-13, 194.1 innings, 4.49 ERA, 213 strikeouts
Verlander holds several postseason records, including strikeouts. Both could still add to their stats, but they’re likely in the later stages of their careers. Based on these numbers and each having their strengths, I’d select Verlander as the best active pitcher right now.
That said, this leads to a tough reality. At some point, teams must decide whether to let players exit the game on their terms or make decisions for the team’s benefit. The Astros now find themselves at that point. They have five strong playoff starters aside from Verlander, and an argument could be made that skipping him would improve their chances—something unimaginable as recently as 2023. Age and injuries can catch up quickly.
Despite all this, I will wear my Verlander jersey proudly during the playoffs. He remains the best Astro to date and deserves respect for his achievements, regardless of recent performances. I praise Verlander, not bury him, though someone else may have to make a tough call before October.
