Two years ago the Houston Astros made a big trade to get Justin Verlander just before the waiver deadline and he helped them win the World Series. This year, the Astros acquired Zack Greinke in a huge deadline deal that they hope will pay off in the same way. Verlander seems pumped about it.
Verlander sent a tweet on Wednesday in response to the Greinke trade, saying “that escalated quickly!” with a few flame emojis.
Wow… that escalated quickly! @astros
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) July 31, 2019
In addition to Greinke, who is 10-4 with a 2.87 ERA this season, the Astros acquired pitchers Joe Biagnini and Aaron Sanchez from the Blue Jays just before the deadline. Earlier in the day they re-acquired catcher Martin Maldonado, which allowed them to trade away Max Stassi.
The Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Indians and Twins are among the teams heavily involved in the AL playoff race, but the Astros’ chances of reaching the World Series just received a big boost in the form of Greinke.
