Justin Verlander

The Astros are rolling, with a 17-8 record in June and over .500 for the first time this season. How soon will Verlander rejoin them?

Another blow to Houston's rotation also casts doubt about whether Verlander will reach the innings threshold for his 2025 vesting option.

Verlander is one of five healthy starters with meaningful major-league experience on Houston’s 40-man roster.

“You have to force the issue a little bit, and it needs to happen quickly,” Verlander said.

Chicago and Houston are heading in opposite directions, so one couldn't help but envision the Astros' Thursday starter in a Cubs uniform.

Verlander went six innings and allowed two runs in his season debut Friday night against the Nationals.

After two rehab starts, the Houston ace will make his season debut Friday. He rejoins a depleted Astros rotation that has a 5.13 ERA.

Even with Justin Verlander close to rejoining the major league rotation, the Astros must find a way to fill innings.

Verlander could make his 2024 debut as early as April 17 against the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park.

There are no active players with 500 homers, or 3,000 hits, or 300 wins. They're not just numbers. How long will it take to fill this void?

Presuming Verlander is placed on the injured list on March 28, the earliest he would be eligible to return is April 11.

"We’re not even looking a week out or two weeks out, so it’s kind of hard to forecast anything past that,” says the 41-year-old righty.

Despite Houston's 2-0 loss in Game 1, Verlander held baseball’s best-remaining offense to its worst offensive night. 

No more Silver Boots to award. The Rangers and Astros now have a heated, chippy rivalry — and a best-of-seven to crown a pennant winner.

The opening loss was frustrating, but the Twins still have a chance to take control of the series — if they can hit a good lefty.

If things go the Astros' way Sunday, Houston could secure the American League West title and a first-round bye it could desperately use.

Verlander started and won the first game in a series that will determine the Astros season.

The Astros' loss Tuesday puts the Rangers one game behind first place. Seattle is 1 1/2 games back and owns the tiebreaker over Houston.