Verlander gets Opening Day start over Keuchel for Astros
When it comes to the Houston Astros' Opening Day starter, it's all about what have you done for me lately.
Speaking during the TV broadcast of his team's game Monday, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said that Justin Verlander will start Opening Day for the reigning World Series champs.
That answers one of the Astros' burning questions entering spring training -- would Verlander or Dallas Keuchel get the Opening Day start?
Keuchel has spent all six of his big league seasons with the Astros, winning the 2015 AL Cy Young Award. Verlander has been on the Astros for all of six months.
But while Keuchel struggled late in the season, going 5-5 after a 9-0 start and going more than seven innings just once after May 5, the 35-year-old Verlander was a revelation in Houston.
He went 5-0 in the regular season after his acquisition from Detroit, then went 4-1 in the postseason. He was 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA against the Yankees in the American League Championship Series, an effort that earned him ALCS MVP honors.
Keuchel, 30, was in a joking mood Monday after hearing the news, quipping "I'll guess I'll let J.V. have Opening Day," before singing the praises of his teammate.
--Field Level Media
