Justin Verlander's Recent Struggles Put Astros Playoff Rotation Spot Into Question: 'If Anybody Can Fix It, He Can'

Steve Sparks, former MLB pitcher and Astros radio broadcaster, joins The Sean Salisbury Show following Sunday's 12-6 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his fourth start since missing over two months with neck stiffness, Justin Verlander allowed eight runs and eight hits with no strikeouts in three innings, his second-shortest start with the Astros. Verlander showed "encouraging signs with his velocity," but has put his playoff rotation spot into question following poor starts. "If anybody can fix it, he can," Sparks said. Despite a rough beginning to the month of September for Spencer Arrighetti, giving up nine runs in the first inning Wednesday, the Astros "pitching staff has been unbelievable," led by Yusei Kikuchi, Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez. The Astros hold a 4.5-game lead above the Seattle Mariners in the AL West and will host the Oakland Athletics for a three-game series starting Tuesday. "The Astros are going to have to slug to beat them."