CLEVELAND -- American League All-Star Game starter Justin Verlander told ESPN on Monday that the balls used in Major League Baseball games this season are "a f---ing joke" and that he believes "100%" the league has implemented them to increase offense.
The 36-year-old Verlander, an eight-time All-Star who is starting his second All-Star Game on Tuesday, has allowed a major league-high 26 home runs this season. Players hit 3,691 home runs in the season's first half and are on pace to hit 6,668 home runs, which would obliterate the record 6,105 hit in 2017.
Conversations about a juiced ball have percolated since after the All-Star break in 2015, after which home runs spiked.