Justin Verlander has a reputation as a big-game pitcher in the postseason -- mostly based on two dominant performances against the Yankees in the 2017 ALCS. His World Series history, however, is another matter: He entered this game 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in seven career starts. That's the third-worst ERA among pitchers who have started at least five World Series games. Early on, however, he's cruising: Nine up and nine down through three innings with four strikeouts, including a three-pitch strikeout of Bryce Harper when he got Harper to swing and miss at three straight fastballs at the top of the zone.
and then................. gave up 5 runs to stay right at his average
