There is something to be said for the most annoying type of loss to an ace being one where he almost looks vulnerable. You get lulled into a false sense of optimism that perhaps this is the time that he falters. Then comes the wrecking ball and all of a sudden, you’re losing again and the hope is gone.
That was the story of Game 1 of the 2022 American League Championship Series. Justin Verlander didn’t look like the 2017 ALCS MVP during the first few innings, but he limited the damage to a single run and when the Astros got to feast on the Yankees’ middle relief, that was all she wrote.