In a stunning turn of events, the Houston Astros have decided to leave three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander off their roster for the upcoming Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers—his original team. Despite his impressive career accolades, the decision comes as no surprise given Verlander's struggles this season.

At age 41, Verlander finished the season with a disappointing 5.48 ERA, making only 17 starts after dealing with a neck injury that sidelined him for a significant portion of the summer. His performance dwindled further, posting an alarming 8.18 ERA over his final seven outings. The Astros opted to move forward without Verlander after his last start against the Cleveland Guardians, which was a final attempt to showcase his veteran prowess.

New manager Joe Espada addressed the decision, praising Verlander's professionalism during their discussions. “I think JV understands how well some of our starters performed, some of our young guys. It was pretty clear where he stood,” Espada noted.

In a twist of fate for the Astros, star outfielder Yordan Alvarez has made a remarkable recovery from a right knee sprain—sustained during a slide on Sept. 22—to secure a spot on the postseason roster. Alvarez, who hit .308 with 35 home runs this season, had his health in question leading up to the series, as he was undergoing rehabilitation with team physicians. However, he has shown exceptional resilience and will take the field in Game 1.

Espada commented on Alvarez’s swift recovery, stating, “He’s not 100 percent, but he’s good enough. With how fast he recovered, I am not shocked, but it was quick. Credit to him. He wants to be out there for the team, and I respect that.” While Espada chose not to disclose Alvarez's exact fitness percentage, he remarked, “Whatever percentage it is, Yordan Alvarez at 70 or 80 percent is better than a lot of players in this league.”

Despite being limited in speed on the base paths, Espada remains optimistic about Alvarez's impact, hoping that playoff adrenaline will give him an extra boost. The Astros have fortified their roster with 15 position players to account for any limitations Alvarez may face.

As for the mound, ace Framber Valdez is set to start for the Astros against the Tigers' Tarik Skubal, who is a leading contender for the American League Cy Young award. Astros' pitchers Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco, and Yusei Kikuchi have proven to be reliable options this October, further supporting the team's choice to sideline Verlander.

In Verlander's last outing, he had an impressive performance, limiting the Guardians to just three runs over six innings, marking his 262nd career victory. While he has been excluded from the initial playoff roster, there remains a possibility for his return if the Astros advance further in the postseason. With a playoff ERA of 3.74 and two World Series titles under his belt, the Astros could utilize his experience at a later stage.

“JV understood,” stated Espada, reflecting on the decision-making process. As the offseason approaches, Verlander will enter free agency after failing to meet the innings requirement for his vesting option for 2025.

As the Astros prepare for their Wild Card showdown, the spotlight is now on whether Alvarez's quick recovery can ignite Houston’s quest for another championship while Verlander's future hangs in the balance. Buckle up, baseball fans—this postseason promises to be anything but predictable!