When the trade deadline passed on July 31 and Justin Verlander was still a Detroit Tiger, it seemed all but certain that the ace would finish the 2017 season starting meaningless games on a rebuilding club.
One month later, Verlander was dealt to the Houston Astros in a stunning deal just minutes before midnight on Aug. 31, the final day to make a post-waiver deal and preserve a player's postseason eligibility.
On Tuesday night, exactly two months after he left the only team he had ever played for, Verlander will be pitching in the biggest game of his career.