LOS ANGELES — The four-seam fastball of Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is the unicorn of major league pitches.
“Nine inches of ride and run!” exclaimed Dodgers hitting coach Turner Ward, in a manner usually associated with witnesses of UFOs, Loch Ness monsters and traffic-free L.A. freeways.
“A dead true four-seam, high-spinning fastball in every sense of the pitch,” said Los Angeles shortstop Corey Seager. “It’s almost impossible to get on top of it. You tell yourself you have to get on top of it, but it’s still so hard. You almost have to convince yourself to swing over it, which is crazy.