What's really behind NY media smearing Astros ace out the door

SOUR GRAPES

The New York Post published a piece recently about Justin Verlander's time with the New York Mets. The article had some quotes from an anonymous source saying some felt that Verlander acted like a “diva” and wasn't making a big enough effort to be part of the team.

It was also reported that JV felt like the Mets' analytics department, wasn't quite on the same level as the Astros. (Sounds like Verlander was just telling the truth).

The article also suggested that there was some occasional “discord” between Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. But with nobody willing to put their name on any of these quotes, it sure sounds like sour grapes from the NY media with Justin heading back to Houston.

Verlander addressed the report on social media a few days later, taking the high road:

So what should we read into this report? If there is any beef between JV and Scherzer, it should be a fun rivalry to watch with the Rangers and Astros competing down the stretch for the AL West crown.

Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion!

Catch our Astros podcast Stone Cold 'Stros every Monday on YouTube!

And listen to ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM for Houston's best sports talk.

Most Popular

The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM