Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander was left off the Houston Astros’ roster for their American League wild-card series against the visiting Detroit Tigers.
Game 1 of the series is Tuesday afternoon with Houston’s Framber Valdez (15-7, 2.91 ERA) set to square off against Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39) in a battle of left-handers.
Verlander, 41, recorded two wins and a no-decision in his last three starts to finish this season with a 5-6 record and a 5.48 ERA.
He struggled mightily in his previous five starts, going 0-4 while recording only 14 strikeouts over 17 2/3 innings. He missed 54 games this season with neck discomfort.
