Verlander was unanimously voted as the American League Cy Young Award winner on Wednesday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports

EDGE Analysis

The future hall-of-famer finished the season with an incredible 1.75 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 175 innings, securing the third Cy Young Award of his career (2011, 2019) in a unanimous decision. Though Verlander will turn 40 before the start of next season, he has shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He's sure to have plenty of teams interested in signing him to a high-salary, multi-year deal this offseason.

Verlander declined his $25 million player option for 2023 on Thursday and became a free agent, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

After he missed the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Verlander re-signed with the Astros last November on a one-year, $25 million deal that contained a conditional $25 million player option for 2023 if he tossed at least 130 innings in 2022. Not only did Verlander blow past that mark by covering 175 frames, but he finished the campaign as the odds-on favorite for the American League Cy Young Award by going 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 185:29 K:BB. Though he'll be entering his age-40 season in 2023, Verlander has shown no signs of slowing down and shouldn't have much trouble securing a multi-year deal in free agency at well above the $25 million annual salary he would have due had he exercised his option. Given the great success Verlander has enjoyed since arriving in Houston in an August 2017 trade with the Tigers, expect the Astros to do everything they can to retain their ace this offseason.

Verlander pitched five innings and earned the win during Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series, allowing one run on four hits and four walks while striking out six.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander surrendered a leadoff homer to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning, and seven more Phillies reached base in the first three innings, but he was able to work out of multiple jams without allowing another run. Pitching in his 17th season, Verlander recorded his first World Series win on the mound Thursday night. The righty has struggled to a 5.85 ERA over 20 innings in the postseason, but one more Houston victory would give him his second World Series ring.

Verlander pitched five innings and did not factor into Game 1's decision Friday night, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five in the 6-5 loss to the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander was given a five-run advantage by the Houston offense, but he surrendered six hits and five runs in his last two innings and was unable to keep the lead. After three perfect innings to begin the game, the 39-year-old seemed to be throwing another vintage gem in Game 1, but the Phillies broke through and made consistent hard contact. Coming into the game with a 10-1 record and 1.64 ERA at home for the 2022 season, Verlander was expected to give the Astros a great chance at a 1-0 series lead, but he struggled against the scrappy Phillies lineup. He has now given up five runs or more in two of his three playoff starts, a slightly alarming trend for the future Hall of Famer.

Verlander earned the win during Game 1 of the ALCS in six innings of work, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out 11 in the 4-2 win over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander delivered a vintage performance Wednesday night, keeping the dangerous New York lineup in check for six strong innings. The Yankees had runners on second and third with one out in the third inning, but Verlander was able to strike out Josh Donaldson and Matt Carpenter to keep the game tied. The 39-year-old then retired the next nine batters, delivering a crucial bounceback performance after allowing six runs to the Mariners in his previous outing. The 11 strikeouts were the most in a postseason game for Verlander since he recorded 13 against the Yankees in the 2017 ALCS.

Verlander will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Mariners or Blue Jays on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

There was little doubt Verlander would earn the honor, as he rebounded from Tommy John surgery to record a 1.75 ERA in 28 starts this season, likely earning him a Cy Young. His 3.40 lifetime ERA in the postseason doesn't trail his career 3.24 regular-season ERA by much, though he owns a mediocre 4.27 ERA over his last nine playoff starts dating back to 2018.

Verlander (18-4) threw five no-hit innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Phillies. He struck out 10 and walked one.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros didn't push Verlander very far in a game that had no impact on the regular season. He exited after 77 pitches (51 strikes) in another sharp start to put a bow on his excellent regular season. The 39-year-old finished a 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 185:29 K:BB through 175 innings over 28 starts, and he'll likely be back on the mound for Game 1 of the ALDS in a week.

Verlander did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits with one walk over seven innings against the Diamondbacks. He struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

It was a bit of a rocky beginning for Verlander, who gave up three hits in a row to start the first inning, including a leadoff double from Daulton Varsho. Both runs against Verlander scored in the frame, though one was unearned due to a passed ball. The right-hander then retired 18 of the next 23 batters he faced, though he did hit a batter to lead off the seventh. Verlander has not allowed a home run since July 23 and holds a 1.68 ERA in nine starts over that span, with 58 strikeouts and seven walks over 53.2 innings.

Verlander (17-4) took the loss Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits over six innings in a 2-0 loss against the Orioles. He struck out four without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander surrendered a two-run single to Rougned Odor with two outs in the second inning and did not receive any help from his offense. The loss was the right-hander's first since June 18 -- in 13 starts since, he's posted a 1.34 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 86:12 K:BB through 80.2 innings.

Verlander (17-3) allowed no hits and one walk while striking out nine across five scoreless innings to earn the win Friday against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander made his first start in nearly three weeks but showed no signs of rust. He dominated the weak Athletics lineup, racking up 12 swinging strikes on 79 total pitches to help him account for nine of his 15 outs via the strikeout. Spanning back to Aug. 23, Verlander has now turned in three consecutive scoreless starts spanning 14 innings. In that same span, he has a dominant 25:2 K:BB. For the season, Verlander owns a a 1.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 157 frames.