Inside The Mets

New York Mets ace Justin Verlander Looks Sharp in Latest Spring Start

Mets ace Justin Verlander looked sharp in his latest start of the spring.

Pat Ragazzo

In this story:

He looks sharp.

Mets ace Justin Verlander had another solid outing in his second start of Grapefruit League play on Friday.

Facing his former team in the Houston Astros, Verlander tossed 3.1 innings of one-run ball, striking out five and allowing just three hits. He threw 48 pitches (32 strikes), walked none and his fastball sat between 94-96 mph on the day.

Verlander retired the first five batters he faced before allowing a two-out double in the top of the second inning. He eliminated this base runner by striking out David Hensley to end the frame.

In the top of the third, Verlander nearly worked around a leadoff double, but surrendered a two-out RBI single to Jake Meyers. This would be all of the scoring that Verlander gave up in this contest. 

Overall this spring, Verlander has gone 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 6.1 innings. 

The 40-year-old signed a two-year, $86 million deal with the Mets this offseason, and he is being counted on to be the co-ace with Max Scherzer. 

So far so good, as Verlander has looked strong in both of his Grapefruit League starts to begin exhibition play. 

Read More:

- What Is Eduardo Escobar's Role For Mets in 2023?

- Should Mets Take a Flyer on Jurickson Profar?

- Former Mets Greats Laud Brett Baty: 'He's Going to be a Good one'

Follow Pat Ragazzo on Twitter (@ragazzoreport), be sure to bookmark Inside The Mets and check back daily for news, analysis and more.

Published
Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the reporter, publisher, site manager and executive editor for Sports Illustrated's Mets and Yankees On SI websites. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has been seen on several major TV Network stations including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is frequently heard on ESPN New York FM 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM as a guest. Pat also serves as the Mets insider for the "Allow Me 2 Be Frank" podcast hosted by Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports. You can follow him on Twitter/X: @ragazzoreport.

Home/News