AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: RANGERS VS ASTROS

October 15, 2023

Justin Verlander

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros

Postgame 1 Press Conference

Rangers - 2, Astros - 0

Q. You're known for attacking hitters, and Texas attacked you tonight. Do you think they were exploiting what they knew about you?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: Not particularly, no. I thought they had a good game plan. I didn't necessarily feel like they were attacking me in any particular fashion. A couple of balls found some holes. A couple were hit hard. But I guess the answer to your question is no.

Q. You are the first starter that was able to hold Texas down and have a quality start. What did you know about this team versus when maybe you faced them in the regular season about how much this offense was clicking, and how much did you focus on that big part of the order and holding them down?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: Yeah, I guess what I know about them is how good they are. They've been a prodigious offense all season long, and you know your work is cut out for you.

So I guess the problem that presents is that a lineup like that is so deep that you can't focus on a pocket of hitters and say if I don't let them beat me, I'll be good. Every one of their guys has the opportunity to beat you. You've got to be on your game one through nine. And if you're not, they'll make you pay.

Q. How did you feel about your stuff tonight?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: So-so. I was a bit erratic the first couple of innings, especially fastball control. I thought it cleaned up as the game went along. I kind of started finding my groove there the last few innings. Obviously one bad pitch, it resulted in another run to Taveras there. Overall I thought as the game went along, it got better and better.

Q. Shut out in the first game. You know your team very well and those guys in the clubhouse. What do you expect going forward?

JUSTIN VERLANDER: We've been here. While I was waiting outside, the TV is on; I hear you lose the first game, you've got a 63 percent chance to lose the series. Obviously it's not detrimental. If you had your druthers, obviously you'd rather win Game 1.

But sometimes you have to tip your hat. Jordan pitched incredibly well. I don't watch the game in between innings. I just go down in the tunnel and process things and try to calm down a little bit.

But obviously with the way the innings were going, obviously he was on his game and did a great job. Like I said, sometimes you have to tip your cap and say, all right, get them tomorrow.

We lost Game 1 in the World Series last year. We've lost Game 1 of some playoff series before. And that's the great thing about this team. Obviously nobody is sitting in the locker room right now happy. But it's very matter of fact, okay. We just got punched, how do you answer.