He wasn’t vintage Justin Verlander, but it didn’t matter. The Astros have been in sore need of a boost to its already thin starting rotation, especially in light of a lackluster 6-14 start on the season. Entering Friday’s game, only the Rockies (6.33), Twins (5.32), and Nationals (5.25) — Houston’s current opponent — had a higher ERA from its starters than the Astros (5.05). Even with Verlander on a roughly 80-85 pitch count, it wouldn’t take much to bolster one of the worst starting staffs in baseball thus far.
Thankfully, Verlander held up his end of the bargain with six innings of two-run ball, limiting Washington to four hits while striking out four and no walks.