HOUSTON — The path to the World Series for the Yankees goes not only through the Houston Astros but specifically their ace, Justin Verlander. If the Yankees want to win their first American League pennant since 2009, they may need to find a way to beat Verlander — this year’s presumptive A.L. Cy Young Award winner — at least once this October.
Verlander, 39, may go down as one of the best starting pitchers ever. After returning from Tommy John surgery that cost him nearly two entire seasons, he went 18-4 with a 1.75 E.R.A. over 175 innings during the regular season.