MLB WORLD SERIES: PHILLIES VS ASTROS

October 28, 2022

Justin Verlander

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Postgame 1 Press Conference

Philadelphia Phillies - 6, Houston Astros - 5

THE MODERATOR: We'll get started with Justin.

Q. You looked pretty locked in those first three innings. I guess what changed in the 4th and the 5th?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: Good question. Maybe just I wasn't executing pitches as well. They got some traffic on the bases and managed to have some really good at-bats and put the ball in play. Yeah, just I feel like I needed to execute a little bit better.

Q. Talked before the game just about just getting out to a 1-0 lead here. How disappointing was it to have a five-run lead and not keep it there for the guys?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: Disappointing, yeah, for sure. I need to do better. No excuses. Like I said, just need to execute pitches better. I felt like I had some guys in good situations and just wasn't able to quite make the pitches that I wanted to.

A lot of credit to them as a lineup. They laid off some good pitches and they were able to, when I did the execute pitches, they were able to foul it off or put it in play and find a couple hits that way. Then when I did make a mistake they hit it hard. So they have a great lineup, they have been hot, and we knew that coming in. To cool them off I feel like you have to execute.

Q. Can you talk about Kyle's homers and then also the confidence you guys have of being able to bounce back quickly since you guys are back at it here tomorrow?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: Yeah, I mean Kyle, he's been fantastic for us all year. Should probably win a Silver Slugger. One of the best hitters in baseball. So I don't think anybody's surprised in our locker room. I think this team, we have an ability when our back's against the wall to play our best baseball. And I expect nothing different moving forward from everybody in this locker room, including myself. And hopefully I get another opportunity to pitch and can do better.

Q. Did they alter their approach against you after the first time through at all?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: Maybe a bit. I'll have to do a little more assessing tomorrow though.

Q. How would you describe today, this outing for yourself?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: Disappointing. My team gave me a five-run lead and I wasn't able to hold it. I feel really confident that 99 percent of the time that I'm able to hold that lead and unfortunately today I wasn't.

Like I said, I have to give a lot of credit to those guys in the other dugout. When I did make some pitches they fouled 'em off or put 'em in play. And when I didn't they hit 'em hard. So, like I said, they're a great lineup, they're hot, and if you don't make your pitches, they're going to hurt you.