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Update: Justin Verlander's new team has its first World Series win in franchise history after beating the Dodgers 7-6 in a wild game that went 11 innings late Wednesday. "This is an instant classic, and to be able to be part of it is pretty special," says Verlander, who allowed three runs in six innings.
The teams, each with one win, now go to Houston for games three, four and five.
Mike Sullivan, producer of "The Valenti Show" on CBS Detroit radio station 97.1, tosses an easy pitch onto Twitter a few hours before Justin Verlander starts on the mound Wednesday night for his new team in the World Series:
On air right now: Are you actively rooting for the Astros because of Justin Verlander? I sure am.
— Mike Sullivan (@MikeSullivan) October 25, 2017
JV's fans here take a swing:
- Absolutely watching JV tonite! Agree with you, Sully! -- Celeste Mouranie?, Waterford
- Hell yeah! JV deserves a ring. -- Derek Seeburger?, Tecumseh, Mich.
- Absolutely. Go Astros! -- Kari Weinsheimer?, Walled Lake
- Choices -- great baseball or the Pistons. Duh. -- Donna Bosink?, Flint
- Yes. This is the only interesting thing going right now. Everything is the D is boring. -- Rachel Paulson, Detroit
- As tough as it was to see JV go, I hope he finally wins it all. -- Eddie Zelek
- Yes sir -- let's go, JV. -- Stewart Johnson, Detroit
- I am 100% watching just because it’s must-see-JV. He gave everything he had for our team and I’d like to see him win it. He deserves it. -- Donald J. Sheldrake
- Absolutely. -- John Wyatt, Walled Lake
- I'm with ya', Sully! -- Lenny Noyes, Flint
- Heck yes. -- Stephanie Murray, Taylor
- 100%. -- Jordan Brohman, Essex, Ont.
- I am, Sully. -- Jeff Leineke, Grosse Pointe Park
- Yes. -- Greg Shannon
And then there's this perspective from Dennis L. Hubbard, a Realtor in Farmington Hills:
I watched last night & rooting for the Astros (JV), but will not watch tonight. It’s like watching your wife move on w/ another man.
— Dennis L Hubbard (@Father_of_Five) October 25, 2017
Earlier post #2:
Tigers refugee Justin Verlander this week starts a World Series game for the third time -- but not in Game 1 as he did for Detroit in 2006 and 2012.
The American League Championship Series MVP. (Facebook photo from Houston Astros)
He'll be on the mound Wednesday night for Houston, facing off against Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill in Game 2 at Los Angeles. The game starts at 8:09 p.m. on Fox.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch picks Dallas Keuchel to open the series Tuesday.
During Game 1 in 2006, Verlander started against Anthony Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals -- the first time rookies started a World Series. The Cardinals won in five games.
Six years later, JV pitched Game 1 against the San Francisco Giants. He gave up five earned runs in four innings, including giving up two home runs to eventual series MVP Pablo Sandoval as the Tigers were swept.
(Research via Wikipedia.)
Earlier post #1:
Just in time for the World Series opener, Justin Verlander's legion of admirers can wear their loyalty on their chests.
This T-shirt is a near-instant response to a bromance between the former Tigers pitcher and teammate José Altuve of the Houston Astros.
The Texans, who won the American League pennant Saturday night with a 4-0 win over the Yankees, face the Dodgers in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
The new garment was rushed online by a firm called BreakingT after an exchange Friday night between second baseman Altuve and the star pitcher traded Aug. 31 by the Tigers.
“I literally love Justin Verlander," Altuve said after their team beat New York by 7-1 in Game 6 of the championship series. Altuve, who hit an eighth-inning homer and finished the game with three RBIs, added:
"The way he goes out there, it made me feel like I have to go out there and play the same way he’s doing it. I know he’s going out there and doing everything he can to win this game, so everybody in the lineup wants to support him, want to score runs for him because we know the kind of guy he is.”
Very late that same night (2:04 a.m. Saturday), Verlander hugged back on Twitter: "I literally love you too @JoseAltuve27."
Within hours, BreakingT posted its navy silk-screened response -- the $24 (plus shipping) shirt shown below. The startup calls itself "a new social data-driven, real-time sports apparel brand" and speaks of "going into work in the morning not knowing what products we're going to launch that day."
JV's fans in Detroit get a shout from the marketers:
Our latest! Inspired by @JoseAltuve27's affection & @JustinVerlander action! Intended for @astros & @Tigers fans! https://t.co/3u6vQcx7Rs pic.twitter.com/Iagl2kbudW
— BreakingT (@breakingtco) October 22, 2017
