The 2023 New York Mets are in the midst of one of the most disappointing and frustrating years in team history. Which includes puzzling performances from players you simply expect better from. Probably the most puzzling is their prized free agent signing in the offseason, Justin Verlander. The reigning American League CY Young award winner is a riddle to figure out this year, and Verlander is still trying to figure it out himself.
Who Is 2023 Justin Verlander?
The Bad Justin Verlander
To be fair, Verlander began the season on the injured list due to a low-grade muscle strain before Opening Day. Having Verlander begin 2023 on the injured list wasn’t an ideal start to the season. Verlander would miss a month as the Mets pitching staff greatly felt his absence. He returned May 4th against the Detroit Tigers in a decent outing. In Detroit, he had a rough first inning but bounced back and pitched five innings in the Mets 1-0 loss.
From there, Verlander would put on a streak of up and down starts. A great seven inning, seven strikeout performance in Cincinatti. Then a bad outing against the Tampa Bay Rays that saw him get hit up for six earned runs. His eight-inning big bounce back performance against the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday Night Baseball that was vintage Verlander. Unfortunately, a shockingly terrible outing against the Colorado Rockies turned things upside down. At Coors Field, he went five innings and got smoked for six earned runs on nine hits. During a mound visit from pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, you can clearly see Verlander say the words “I don’t have it”. His next two starts saw him pitch very well against the Toronto Blue Jays but had a rough one against the Atlanta Braves.
The Good Justin Verlander
From May 4th to June 8th, Verlander had compiled an ERA close to five, and allowing 21 earned runs on 39 hits. The question about Verlander’s age finally taking effect on him were raised. Since June 14th against the New York Yankees though, the old ace has shown he may not be done yet. He went six innings and struck out six while allowing just one earned run. He returned to Houston to face his old team, and while he did give up four earned runs, he went seven innings. Keeping the Mets in the game.
He then pitched to a combined 1.00 ERA in his next three outings. After a bad start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the old veteran was dominant against the Chicago White Sox for eight innings while striking out seven. This was the first time since May 21st against Cleveland that Verlander had gone eight innings. His latest outing came in The Bronx on Tuesday night where he pitched well a
6 scoreless innings for Justin Verlander tonight 💪 pic.twitter.com/gASZeTE8ne
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 26, 2023
gainst the Yankees once again.
The outing added on to what has been an impressive stretch overall, and showing the Mets
Don’t look now, but Justin Verlander’s ERA is down to 3.24 👀
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 26, 2023
He has been among the best pitchers in baseball over the last month pic.twitter.com/2uA1cottfP
that this was the guy they got in the offseason.
What To Expect the Rest of the Year
It’s not only been about Verlander on the mound, but about the trade deadline. Nobody really knows what the Mets plans are, but with the season where it currently is, selling is the most likely option. If Verlander is still in New York past the deadline, they are going to need him to be what he’s been lately. Were his early struggles a result of him still working his way back from the injury? Or can the Mets expect more of that Verlander going forward and not the guy they’ve seen over the past month. The final two months will tell the story, because the Mets certainly need to know for 2024.
Main Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Justin Verlander
