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What can we expect from Justin Verlander at this point in his career?
Justin Verlander is more than just a former MLB MVP; he is one of the few faces who defined an era in baseball history. In a career spanning two decades, the lionized hurler won three Cy Young awards, an MVP, an ALCS MVP, a Triple Crown and Rookie of the Year. Now, it would seem Verlander is set to ride off into the Bay Area sunset.
This past offseason, the San Francisco Giants took a gamble on the future Hall of Fame starter, signing him to a one-year, $15 million deal. Going into his age-42 season and coming off an injury-hampered down year that saw him post a career-worst 5.48 ERA, it would be hard to imagine the Giants viewed Verlander as the solution to their pitching problems. Still, having won a Cy Young Award in 2022 followed by putt ing up exceptional numbers in 2023, there was no telling what the veteran righty had left in the tank. This year, we’re finding out.
Before landing on the IL, Verlander was pitching to a 4.33 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched, accumulating three losses in 10 starts while still searching for his first win. The once-formidable ace has struggled to miss barrels, limit exit velocity or prevent walks — three things he excelled at in 2022. His average fastball velocity of 93.9 mph is his third-lowest recorded mark since tracking began, ahead of only two seasons thwarted by injury: 2015 and 2024. In addition, his .257 opponent batting average is at its second-highest since the 2015 season, again, exceeded only by 2024.
From 2016 through 2022, Verlander maintained a reputation as an elite strikeout artist. Since 2023, his walk rate began to climb while his com mand wavered, reaching 3.6 walks per nine innings (BB/9) this season, the second-highest of his career, lagging only his 2008 season.
Having gone through other down seasons that saw him finish with ERAs north of where his 2025 figure stands, Verlander is no stranger to bouncing back in Cy Young fashion. However, at his age, we can’t expect his arsenal to be any sharper than what we’ve already seen this year. His velocity, which has been declining since 2022, appears to be on an irreversible downtrend. And since he has become more injury-prone as he ages, he will likely continue to lose his effectiveness with time.
Once their pitching legend returns from the IL, Giants fans can only hope he can buck the aging process, if just for a while, and finish the season more gracefully than he started. Verlander ending his career on a high note would be like a bow atop his rock-solid Hall of Fame case.
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Craig Kimbrel lands with World Series contender after latest release
Craig Kimbrel is hoping to make an impact with an MLB team down the stretch, and a World Series contender is giving the former All-Star reliever a shot. Kimbrel agreed to a big-league contract with the Houston Astros on Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Kimbrel began the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves after signing a minor-league contract with them in March. The right-hander started out with the Double-A Columbus Clingstones and did not give up a hit in three appearances. Kimbrel was then promoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, where he went 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 23 strikeouts over 18 innings. The Braves added Kimbrel to their active roster on June 6. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning in Atlanta's 5-4 win over the San Francisco Giants that day. Kimbrel allowed a walk and a hit in the inning. The following day, Atlanta made the puzzling decision to designate Kimbrel for assignment. Kimbrel opted for free agency rather than accepting his minor league assignment. He then signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers but never made it to their MLB roster. Kimbrel was granted his release on Thursday and signed with Houston. Kimbrel, 37, is a nine-time All-Star who has pitched for eight different teams during his MLB career. He led the National League in saves four times and was one of the best relief pitchers in the league during his prime. Kimbrel also helped the Boston Red Sox win a World Series in 2018. The Astros were 69-58 entering Thursday and had a 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. If Kimbrel is healthy, he could provide Houston with some valuable bullpen depth over the final stretch of the season.
Commanders fans receive hopeful Terry McLaurin update
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has suggested on multiple occasions that he is "one hundred percent" confident he will "be throwing some passes to" wide receiver Terry McLaurin during the 2025 season. It seems Daniels may have had some inside information. NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed Friday that the situation involving the Commanders and McLaurin "is in a better spot than it’s been" since the 29-year-old requested a trade on July 31. "The sides started out pretty far apart," wrote Breer, "so there was a lot of ground to make up. Maybe the deadlines in the next couple of weeks will help push an agreement through." The "pretty far apart" line may be referencing a previous report that claimed "one person with knowledge of McLaurin’s contract negotiations" said he had "asked for more than" the average annual value attached to DK Metcalf's five-year, $150M deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That same story insinuated that Washington may be more comfortable paying McLaurin around $27M or $28M per season via a multiyear extension. Coming off their trip to this year's NFC Championship Game, the Commanders likely won't be trading McLaurin's rights anytime soon. At this point, Washington acquiring a suitable replacement for McLaurin and getting him familiar with the team's offense in time for the Commanders' Week 1 game against the New York Giants is unrealistic. For an article published on Aug. 18, ESPN's Ben Solak wrote that he believed the McLaurin-Commanders standoff would eventually end "with a compromise extension before Week 1." It's unclear what McLaurin will do if this does not occur before the Giants matchup on Sept. 7, but it sounds like the two sides could work something out.
Pat McAfee has strong reaction to Hall of Fame honor
Former punter Pat McAfee is receiving an honor that is rare for a special teams member. On Friday, West Virginia announced that McAfee was one of six players entering the program's Hall of Fame for the 2025 class. McAfee is thankful for the recognition from his former school. He used some strong language to react to WVU's reveal. "It was nice to have an opportunity to think back and reminisce about a great era of my life," McAfee posted on X. "I am so thankful for the recognition. This is normally something I would try and f------ hate.. I’d say that it’s b------- and they feel obligated to do this but; this call made my soul feel good. Thanks for the opportunity to be a Mountaineer @RealCoachRod.. it was an honor." McAfee was a highly productive specialist at West Virginia, earning First-team All-American honors in 2008. During his time with the Mountaineers, he set the school record for most games played (51), scoring (384) and extra points made (210). He held the Big East record for most extra points made, when he made 210 of 212 attempts. McAfee's success at West Virginia propelled the Indianapolis Colts to select him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. He earned All-Pro honors in 2014 and made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and 2016. He has the highest career net average in punting years with 41.1. McAfee should be proud of his achievements during his days in college and the legacy he is building with the program. The ESPN pundit even used his influence to speak with WVU athletic director Wren Baker to help with the coaching search that ultimately brought back Rich Rodriguez to the school.
Falcons HC speaks out after offensive starter gets carted off practice field with concerning injury
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced that starting right tackle Kaleb McGary will miss “significant time” with a left leg injury suffered in Wednesday’s practice. "The thing I will say to you now is that he will miss significant time," Morris said after the Falcons' last preseason game in Dallas, per the team's official website. "Looks like it will be IR, whatever the case may be, we will have to see there, but he will miss significant time for us." McGary went down during individual drills and had to be carted off the field. Although Morris indicated that the six-year veteran will land on injured reserve, that could come with a return designation if the Falcons believe he can return this season. The 30-year-old just negotiated a $3.5M raise earlier this month with a two-year, $15M extension. With Michael Penix Jr. entering his first full season as a starter, McGary may have had some added leverage as the left-handed quarterback’s new blindside protector. McGary’s injury will stretch an already-injured tackle room even further. Swing tackle Storm Norton is recovering from ankle surgery and former UDFA Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is out for the year. If Norton isn’t ready for Week 1, it’s unclear who will start at right tackle. Morris specifically mentioned Elijah Wilkinson as a player who is expected to step up amid the injuries. He’s currently listed as the backup left guard on the Falcons’ unofficial depth chart, but the eight-year veteran moved to left tackle for the team’s second preseason. He also has 20 career starts at right tackle, though the last came in 2021. Brandon Parker is listed as Atlanta’s backup right tackle, but has lined up at left tackle in the preseason. Like Wilkinson, he has plenty of past experience at right tackle as well. Rookie Jack Nelson could also be a factor after starting both preseason games at right tackle, but the seventh-rounder may not be trusted to protect Penix’s blind side right away. If McGary and/or Norton begin the season on IR, UDFA Jordan Williams could make the roster as extra depth after getting a handful of snaps at right tackle in the preseason.
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