Yankees spoil Justin Verlander's start to second stint with Astros - ESPN

NEW YORK — New Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander looked a lot like old Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander as the veteran righty made his most recent debut on Saturday for the team he helped win a World Series with just last October.

Verlander, 40, didn't have his best stuff but still went seven innings against the New York Yankees, giving up just two runs on seven hits while striking out four. The Yankees did end up spoiling Verlander's debut with a 3-1 win.

«It was a battle the first few innings,» Verlander said. «I was all over the place. Not exactly sure why but I was able to rein it in and make some better pitches and keep us in the ballgame.»

Verlander admitted his routine was thrown off a bit after Tuesday's trade from the New York Mets, but its not like he had to familiarize himself with anything new while returning to the Astros. He pitched for them from 2017 through last season, winning two Cy Young awards and a championship.

Inside the clubhouse this week, he was met with a «let's do it again» attitude as the Astros are attempting to become the first team to repeat as champions since the 1998-2000 Yankees.

«Even without his good stuff he kept us in the game and saved our bullpen,» manager Dusty Baker stated. «That's big. That was how it was when he was here before. We can go full bullpen the day before he pitches and we can go full bullpen the day after he pitches.»

The Yankees hit eight balls off Verlander with an exit velocity of 100 mph or greater — the most off him since Statcast began tracking in 2015 — making it even more impressive he lasted as long as he did in the game. He almost didn't make the full seven innings as Baker came to check on him with two outs in the bottom of the sixth and