Justin Verlander, the veteran starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, has faced a challenging season highlighted by an 0-7 record and a 4.70 ERA. Despite these statistics, his brother Ben Verlander, a FOX Sports analyst, argues that much of Justin’s poor performance stems from bad luck rather than a decline in skill. Ben emphasized this perspective publicly, acknowledging his bias but stressing the frustrating and baffling nature of Justin’s run of misfortune on the mound.
“I’m going to vent. Yes it’s my brother. Yes I’m biased. But Justin’s stats 100% do not tell the story of this season. He’s had many very good starts with truly some of the worst luck I’ve ever seen. It makes no sense to me. Really frustrating to watch. He’s still throwing…” —Ben Verlander, FOX Sports Analyst
Performance Highlights Show Solid Pitching Despite Poor Results
Ben’s defense points to multiple strong outings by Justin during the season. In 10 of his 15 starts, Verlander managed to pitch at least five innings while allowing three or fewer runs, benchmarks typically viewed as competent or better for a starting pitcher. His fastball velocity remains resilient, still reaching the high-90s mph range, a notable achievement for a 42-year-old athlete. Advanced metrics like FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 4.17 suggest that some of the damage attributed to him may be influenced by factors outside his control, such as defensive errors behind him.
Team Challenges and Limited Alternatives Complicate Verlander’s Situation
Despite these encouraging signs, Verlander continues to carry the burden of being winless, a situation exacerbated by teammates such as Ryan Walker, whose blown saves have cost Justin two potential wins. A notably poor outing in Sacramento on July 4 raised doubts over the Giants’ willingness to retain the aging starter. However, the Giants currently lack better pitching options. The team‘s minor league system offers no immediate replacements, and their rotation depth thinned considerably after trading prospects Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks to the Boston Red Sox as part of the Rafael Devers deal.
San Francisco Giants’ Next Steps Amid Continued Pitching Struggles
The Giants are thus compelled to depend on Justin Verlander in the near term. While there is still hope that he can adjust his mechanics and regain form, his age means that minor changes carry risk, including the possibility of injury setbacks. Discussions about trading to strengthen the rotation might be on the table, as the current scenario places significant pressure on Verlander to perform despite growing impatience among the fanbase.
Throughout this difficult stretch, Justin still has the steadfast support of his brother, Ben, who remains vocal about the unfairness of his struggles and the bad luck that has clouded his season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How much does Justin Verlander sleep?
A. MLB All-Star Justin Verlander, famous for his fast pitching, says getting 10 hours of sleep every night helps him succeed. He sleeps in a dark room and silences his phone to avoid interruptions. Verlander also advises his teammates on better sleep habits.
Q. How much sleep does Justin Verlander get?
A. Verlander tries to get 10 hours of sleep each night. “If I need more, I’m not afraid to get extra rest,” he explained. Occasionally, sleeping for eight or nine hours is enough for him. There are also times when he sleeps 11 or 12 hours.