Kate Upton tweets at Manfred over Verlander’s juiced balls theory

The use of a hypodermic needle emoji alongside a baseball emoji indicates Verlander is implying baseballs are juiced.

And here’s what Upton had to say in support of Verlander in the since-deleted tweet (screenshot here, via The Spun).

“Oh baseballs aren’t juiced @robmanfred? I would like to see the ‘science’ behind it? especially who sponsored the Rawlings testing,” Upton wrote late Tuesday night before adding the #MLB hashtag.

Verlander has long contended that baseballs have been altered to benefit hitters, going all the way back to the 2015 MLB season, when he said the notion baseballs are juiced passes the “old eye test.” 

Further, a report from The Ringer earlier in the season supports Verlander’s long-held theory. The pitcher at the time referred to the report as “a pretty good article.”

That said, Manfred, who happened to be in town Tuesday for the Tigers’ showdown with the New York Yankees at Comerica Park, disagreed with Verlander’s contention.

“There is nothing different about the baseball at all,” Manfred said before the Tigers’ 13-4 loss, via The Detroit News. “As a matter of fact, to the extent that there are little ups and downs (variances in the baseballs) year to year, the ups and downs suggest there should be fewer home runs.”

Verlander not surprisingly doesn’t have Manfred on board in support of his theory. But at least Upton is backing his argument.