LOS ANGELES—Houston Astros star pitcher Justin Verlander believes his team may have landed a game-changing blow on the feared Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen with Wednesday’s stunning game two World Series win.
Verlander had pitched brilliantly through the early innings before being hit for two Dodgers home runs which saw the hosts take a 3-1 lead.
The story of this season has been the Dodgers’ bullpen’s ability to close out games once their noses are in front.
But Verlander said he had told his Astros team-mates in a defiant dugout rallying cry that they were still in the game.
“You see everyone saying how great this Dodger bullpen is and how our offense hasn’t been going,” Verlander said.
“It’s so easy to say man, that, we’re probably not going to win this game, down two against one of the best bullpens in baseball.
“I just wanted to really remind these guys how great they are…remember how good you are and just play the game. It’s only two runs.”
Verlander’s pep talk did the trick as the Astros had turned a 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 lead after the 10th inning.
Although the Dodgers rallied to level at 5-5, George Springer’s two-run homer in the 11th proved decisive.
It was a chastening defeat for the Dodgers pitching unit. Manager Dave Roberts used nine pitchers throughout the game, but was ultimately unable to contain the big-hitting Astros offense, for whom Marwin Gonzalez, Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve all hit home runs.
Verlander, who is chasing his first World Series title in three appearances, said game two could turn out to be a “game-changer” for the rest of the series.
“It’s huge,” he told reporters. “I think the ability to win this game tonight, I mean you can’t quantify how much that means.
“I mean, we play so well at home. These guys play so well at home. For everything to be going right for the Dodgers tonight, late into their bullpen and for us to come back and win that game, that’s a game-changer.”
Verlander meanwhile was left struggling to process the epic battle.
“I’ve been part of some pretty exciting games…this is an instant classic, and to be able to be part of it is pretty special,” he said.