Verlander deserving of ALCS MVP even if Yankees win series
The Houston Astros stayed alive after they defeated the New York Yankees in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Friday.
While the Astros' struggling offense finally came to life during the 7-1 victory, right-hander Justin Verlander was the difference-maker for the second time in the series, tossing seven scoreless innings.
Although Verlander's effort in Game 6 wasn't as magnificent as his complete-game performance from Game 2, the 34-year-old tossed a gem on Friday. He allowed just five hits, one walk, and struck out eight, throwing nearly 71 percent of his pitches for strikes.
Verlander's impressive outing begged the following question: Will Verlander be awarded the ALCS MVP if the Yankees win Game 7?
Only three times in the history of the Championship Series has a player on the losing side earned MVP honors.
| PLAYER | TEAM | SERIES | OUTCOME |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Lynn | Angels | 1982 ALCS | Brewers beat Angels 3-2 |
| Mike Scott | Astros | 1986 NLCS | Mets beat Astros 4-2 |
| Jeffrey Leonard | Giants | 1987 NLCS | Cardinals beat Giants 4-3 |
While combing through his dominant postseason numbers, it becomes evident no player in the ALCS is more deserving of the MVP award than Verlander. Sorry, Chase Headley. No dice, Aaron Judge. Maybe next season, Greg Bird.
Verlander is averaging more than a strikeout per inning and 0.6 hits per nine, and is showing shades of his 2011 MVP and Cy Young season, where he was 24-5 with 250 strikeouts while holding a 2.40 ERA.
Verlander's 2017 postseason
| PITCHER | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Verlander | 16 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 21 |
In comparison, Verlander has been eerily similar to Mike Scott of the 1986 Astros - the only pitcher to ever win a Championship Series MVP while not playing for the winning team. If that isn't enough evidence to give him the award, what is?
| PITCHER | SERIES | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Scott | '86 NLCS GM 1 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| Justin Verlander | '17 ALCS GM 2 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| Mike Scott | '86 NLCS GM 4 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Justin Verlander | '17 ALCS GM 6 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
Verlander hasn't lost a game (regular season and postseason combined) since joining the Astros, so if Houston can't reward him for his efforts with a trip to the World Series, he does deserve some kind of recognition, and the ALCS MVP - even though it may lack the luster of a World Series appearance - is the perfect gift.
Make sure you get this one right, MLB.