Justin Verlander

Active

Detroit Tigers · SP

Age 436' 5" · 240 lbsThrows Right

#450 Preseason

FBaseball Overview

At 43 years old, Verlander represents a risky but potentially rewarding late-round pitcher for fantasy managers seeking strikeout upside from an elite veteran. His 2025 campaign showed declining durability with a 4-11 record and 3.85 ERA across 152 innings, though he still managed 137 strikeouts, demonstrating that his elite strikeout rate remains intact despite his age. The early 2026 struggles—evidenced by the tiny sample of 3.2 innings with an inflated ERA and WHIP—are likely just early-season noise, but injury concerns and reduced workload are legitimate risks given his advanced age and recent health history. Fantasy managers banking on Verlander should view him as a potential source of strikeouts and ERA support in the back end of their rotation, while managing expectations for wins and innings pitched in what could be his final season.

News Updates

Verlander Set for Sendoff Start at Comerica
Justin Verlander is scheduled for one final regular-season start at Comerica Park, providing him with an emotional opportunity to say goodbye in front of the Detroit faithful. The veteran pitcher's appearance in his home park represents a meaningful moment for the longtime Tigers ace. Verlander's departure marks the end of an era for the franchise.
Sep 23, 2026

MLB Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2005	Detroit Tigers	2	2	0	2	7.15	1.76	7	11.1	5
2006	Detroit Tigers	30	30	17	9	3.63	1.33	124	186.0	60
2007	Detroit Tigers	32	32	18	6	3.66	1.23	183	201.2	67
2008	Detroit Tigers	33	33	11	17	4.84	1.40	163	201.0	87
2009	Detroit Tigers	35	35	19	9	3.45	1.18	269	240.0	63
2010	Detroit Tigers	33	33	18	9	3.37	1.16	219	224.1	71
2011	Detroit Tigers	34	34	24	5	2.40	0.92	250	251.0	57
2012	Detroit Tigers	33	33	17	8	2.64	1.06	239	238.1	60
2013	Detroit Tigers	34	34	13	12	3.46	1.31	217	218.1	75
2014	Detroit Tigers	32	32	15	12	4.54	1.40	159	206.0	65
2015	Detroit Tigers	20	20	5	8	3.38	1.09	113	133.1	32
2016	Detroit Tigers	34	34	16	9	3.04	1.00	254	227.2	57
2017	2 teams▼	33	33	15	8	3.36	1.17	219	206.0	72
2018	Houston Astros	34	34	16	9	2.52	0.90	290	214.0	37
2019	Houston Astros	34	34	21	6	2.58	0.80	300	223.0	42
2020	Houston Astros	1	1	1	0	3.00	0.67	7	6.0	1
2022	Houston Astros	28	28	18	4	1.75	0.83	185	175.0	29
2023	2 teams▼	27	27	13	8	3.22	1.13	144	162.1	45
2024	Houston Astros	17	17	5	6	5.48	1.38	74	90.1	27
2025	San Francisco Giants	29	29	4	11	3.85	1.36	137	152.0	52
2026	Detroit Tigers	2	2	0	1	7.00	1.56	7	9.0	3
Career	Totals	557	557	266	159	3.33	1.14	3560	3576.2	1007

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Minor League Pitching

Year	Team	G	GS	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	BB
2005	2 teams▼	20	20	11	2	1.29	0.90	136	118.2	26
2015	Toledo Mud Hens	2	2	0	0	3.24	1.44	12	8.1	2
2023	Binghamton Rumble Ponies	1	1	0	0	0.00	0.64	6	4.2	1
2024	2 teams▼	4	4	0	2	8.36	1.71	17	14	4
2026	Toledo Mud Hens	2	2	1	1	3.38	1.03	6	10.2	2
Career	Totals	29	29	12	5	2.13	1.00	177	156.1	35

Source: MLB Stats API · Multi-team seasons show combined totals — click to expand

Last Week / Last Month

Current season · MLB only

7 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2	2	9.0	0-1	0	7.00	1.56	7	3

30 games

G	GS	IP	W-L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2	2	9.0	0-1	0	7.00	1.56	7	3

Game Log2026 MLB

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Advanced Stats2026 season · via Baseball Savant

Click for year to year changes

FB Velo92.9 mph

Avg Spin2380 rpm

Whiff %18.6%

K %17.9%

BB %7.7%

Hard Hit %44.8%

Barrel %13.8%

xERA6.56

xBA Against0.271

xSLG Against0.572

BA Against0.306

SLG Against0.639

What These Stats Mean

FB Velo — Average fastball velocity. Harder throwers generate more swings and misses, setting up every other pitch in their arsenal. Velocity is the foundation of strikeout upside.

Avg Spin — Average spin rate across all pitches. Higher spin creates more movement and makes pitches harder to square up — elite spinners run better strikeout and batting average against numbers.

Whiff % — Swings-and-misses per swing. The most direct measure of a pitcher's ability to miss bats and the best leading indicator of strikeout rate.

K % — Strikeout rate per batter faced. The core fantasy pitching stat — high K% means reliable strikeout totals that hold up even in shorter starts.

BB % — Walk rate per batter faced. The primary control metric. High BB% tanks ERA and WHIP and keeps baserunners on constantly. Elite starters typically run below 7%.

Hard Hit % — Percentage of batted balls hit 95 mph or harder against. Low hard-hit% means weak contact, protecting both ERA and the defense behind the pitcher.

Barrel % — Percentage of batted balls barreled against. The most direct home run predictor — low barrel% pitchers rarely give up long balls.

xERA — Expected ERA based on contact quality allowed, removing the effect of sequencing, luck, and defense. Better predictor of future ERA than ERA itself.

xBA Against — Expected batting average opponents should hit based on contact quality. A gap between xBA and actual BA indicates unsustainable luck in either direction.

xSLG Against — Expected slugging allowed based on contact quality. High xSLG against predicts future extra-base damage; low xSLG means the pitcher is genuinely suppressing power.

BA Against — Actual batting average opponents are hitting — a key WHIP component. Check xBA to see if the number is sustainable.

SLG Against — Actual slugging allowed. Captures hits, doubles, triples, and home runs — lower means the pitcher is limiting the power damage he gives up.

GB% — Ground ball rate. High GB% pitchers generate double plays, limit home runs, and keep the ball in the park — great for protecting ERA and WHIP ratios.

FB% — Fly ball rate. High FB% pitchers give up more air contact — dangerous when combined with high exit velocity, less so when contact is soft.

Loading player data...

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2005

Detroit Tigers

7.15

1.76

11.1

2006

Detroit Tigers

3.63

1.33

124

186.0

2007

Detroit Tigers

3.66

1.23

183

201.2

2008

Detroit Tigers

4.84

1.40

163

201.0

2009

Detroit Tigers

3.45

1.18

269

240.0

2010

Detroit Tigers

3.37

1.16

219

224.1

2011

Detroit Tigers

2.40

0.92

250

251.0

2012

Detroit Tigers

2.64

1.06

239

238.1

2013

Detroit Tigers

3.46

1.31

217

218.1

2014

Detroit Tigers

4.54

1.40

159

206.0

2015

Detroit Tigers

3.38

1.09

113

133.1

2016

Detroit Tigers

3.04

1.00

254

227.2

2017

2 teams▼

3.36

1.17

219

206.0

2018

Houston Astros

2.52

0.90

290

214.0

2019

Houston Astros

2.58

0.80

300

223.0

2020

Houston Astros

3.00

0.67

6.0

2022

Houston Astros

1.75

0.83

185

175.0

2023

2 teams▼

3.22

1.13

144

162.1

2024

Houston Astros

5.48

1.38

90.1

2025

San Francisco Giants

3.85

1.36

137

152.0

2026

Detroit Tigers

7.00

1.56

9.0

Career

Totals

557

266

159

3.33

1.14

3560

3576.2

1007

Year

Team

ERA

WHIP

2005

2 teams▼

1.29

0.90

136

118.2

2015

Toledo Mud Hens

3.24

1.44

8.1

2023

Binghamton Rumble Ponies

0.00

0.64

4.2

2024

2 teams▼

8.36

1.71

2026

Toledo Mud Hens

3.38

1.03

10.2

Career

Totals

2.13

1.00

177

156.1

W-L

ERA

WHIP

9.0

0-1

7.00

1.56

W-L

ERA

WHIP

9.0

0-1

7.00

1.56