Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros might have lost Game 2 of the World Series, putting them in a big hole against the upstart Washington Nationals.

That doesn’t take away the fact, that Verlander made history during his start against the Nationals on Wednesday night, recording his 200th strikeout in the playoffs.

This broke the previous record of 199, owned by former Braves star John Smoltz, putting the veteran righty at the top of a list that includes some of the game’s best-ever hurlers.

It didn’t take long for the Virginia native to record the record-setting K in Game 2. He got Victor Robles to strike out on three pitches, recording his fourth strikeout in the first two innings of the game.

He didn’t have his best start on Wednesday, giving up four runs in only six innings on the bump. He struck out six hitters in total, which left him with 202 total postseason strikeouts, a mark that he will look to extend if the Astros manage to extend the series and get him another start.

Verlander owns a career 14-10 record with a 3.35 ERA in the playoffs. He has, however, struggled in the World Series with an 0-5 record and an elevated 5.73 ERA in 6 starts.

The post Justin Verlander Sets Record With 200th Career Postseason Strikeout appeared first on SportzBonanza.

No team has ever come back from 3-0 in the World Series and the Houston Astros didn’t want to be the first team to try to do that. Behind clutch hitting and great pitching from Zack Greinke and the bullpen, they made winning the series much more doable by putting the series at 2-1.

After leading the majors with 107 wins and putting together one of the most complete teams in baseball history, Houston looked very beatable in Games 1 and 2 with Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander losing at home.

While Houston made a couple of critical fielding errors and couldn’t hit with runners in scoring position in the first 2 games, it was Washington who copied those mistakes in Game 3. Juan Soto, celebrating his 21st birthday, made a couple of defensive miscues, and the Nats went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12.

The Astros scored in 4 different innings behind Michael Brantley’s 2 RBIs and Robinson Chirinos’ home run off the left-field foul pole. They didn’t overpower the Nationals, but the first win in any series is critical, and the 4-1 win is enough to get the team back on track.

After losing the first World Series game in the nation’s capital since 1933, the Nats will look to take a 3-1 series lead behind prized free agent Patrick Corbin who is scheduled to start. The Astros will counter with rookie Jose Urquidy and probably go to their bullpen early in an effort to even up the series and send it back to Houston.

The post Astros Win Game 3 in DC, Series Now 2-1 Nationals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Game 1 matchup of Gerrit Cole vs. Max Scherzer was the much anticipated Fall Classic pitching firepower everyone was looking forward to. Two of the best strikeout pitchers of the decade facing off in the World Series should add up to an exciting pitching duel, but the Nationals got to Gerrit Cole and handed him his first loss since May 22.

Although the Astros struck in the first off a 2 run double by Yuli Gurriel, the Nats came answering back. It was fitting that 35-year-old Ryan Zimmerman hit the first World Series home run in franchise history, while 20-year-old sensation Juan Soto followed up with a homer and 3 RBIs.

Max Scherzer didn’t dominate the Houston offense, but he labored through 5 innings and managed to get the win while only giving up 2 first-inning runs.

The shaky Washington bullpen, the teams biggest concern all year, let up 2 earned runs in relief, and although they had the team on the edge of their seats, the relievers got the job done, including a 4 out save from Sean Doolittle.

With a 19-0 record in his last 25 starts and a minuscule 0.40 ERA in 22 2/3 postseason innings, Cole proved that he is human by letting up 5 earned runs. Houston has no cause for concern, however, as they lost by only 1 run and have co-ace Justin Verlander slotted for Game 2 at home.

The post Nats Take Game 1, Cole Suffers First Loss Since May appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros might have lost Game 2 of the World Series, putting them in a big hole against the upstart Washington Nationals.

That doesn’t take away the fact, that Verlander made history during his start against the Nationals on Wednesday night, recording his 200th strikeout in the playoffs.

This broke the previous record of 199, owned by former Braves star John Smoltz, putting the veteran righty at the top of a list that includes some of the game’s best-ever hurlers.

It didn’t take long for the Virginia native to record the record-setting K in Game 2. He got Victor Robles to strike out on three pitches, recording his fourth strikeout in the first two innings of the game.

He didn’t have his best start on Wednesday, giving up four runs in only six innings on the bump. He struck out six hitters in total, which left him with 202 total postseason strikeouts, a mark that he will look to extend if the Astros manage to extend the series and get him another start.

Verlander owns a career 14-10 record with a 3.35 ERA in the playoffs. He has, however, struggled in the World Series with an 0-5 record and an elevated 5.73 ERA in 6 starts.

The post Justin Verlander Sets Record With 200th Career Postseason Strikeout appeared first on SportzBonanza.

No team has ever come back from 3-0 in the World Series and the Houston Astros didn’t want to be the first team to try to do that. Behind clutch hitting and great pitching from Zack Greinke and the bullpen, they made winning the series much more doable by putting the series at 2-1.

After leading the majors with 107 wins and putting together one of the most complete teams in baseball history, Houston looked very beatable in Games 1 and 2 with Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander losing at home.

While Houston made a couple of critical fielding errors and couldn’t hit with runners in scoring position in the first 2 games, it was Washington who copied those mistakes in Game 3. Juan Soto, celebrating his 21st birthday, made a couple of defensive miscues, and the Nats went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12.

The Astros scored in 4 different innings behind Michael Brantley’s 2 RBIs and Robinson Chirinos’ home run off the left-field foul pole. They didn’t overpower the Nationals, but the first win in any series is critical, and the 4-1 win is enough to get the team back on track.

After losing the first World Series game in the nation’s capital since 1933, the Nats will look to take a 3-1 series lead behind prized free agent Patrick Corbin who is scheduled to start. The Astros will counter with rookie Jose Urquidy and probably go to their bullpen early in an effort to even up the series and send it back to Houston.

The post Astros Win Game 3 in DC, Series Now 2-1 Nationals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Game 1 matchup of Gerrit Cole vs. Max Scherzer was the much anticipated Fall Classic pitching firepower everyone was looking forward to. Two of the best strikeout pitchers of the decade facing off in the World Series should add up to an exciting pitching duel, but the Nationals got to Gerrit Cole and handed him his first loss since May 22.

Although the Astros struck in the first off a 2 run double by Yuli Gurriel, the Nats came answering back. It was fitting that 35-year-old Ryan Zimmerman hit the first World Series home run in franchise history, while 20-year-old sensation Juan Soto followed up with a homer and 3 RBIs.

Max Scherzer didn’t dominate the Houston offense, but he labored through 5 innings and managed to get the win while only giving up 2 first-inning runs.

The shaky Washington bullpen, the teams biggest concern all year, let up 2 earned runs in relief, and although they had the team on the edge of their seats, the relievers got the job done, including a 4 out save from Sean Doolittle.

With a 19-0 record in his last 25 starts and a minuscule 0.40 ERA in 22 2/3 postseason innings, Cole proved that he is human by letting up 5 earned runs. Houston has no cause for concern, however, as they lost by only 1 run and have co-ace Justin Verlander slotted for Game 2 at home.

The post Nats Take Game 1, Cole Suffers First Loss Since May appeared first on SportzBonanza.