Verlander named finalist for 2nd AL Cy Young

HOUSTON -- Astros All-Star right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander is one of three finalists for the 2018 American League Cy Young Award, joining right-hander Corey Kluber of the Indians and left-hander Blake Snell of the Rays.
Verlander went 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA and a career-high 290 strikeouts in 214 innings this year in his first full season in Houston. The winner, which will be determined in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of American, will be announced Nov. 14.
• 2018 BBWAA award finalists announced
Verlander, 35, had one of his most dominating seasons, leading all Major League pitchers with a 0.90 WHIP, which is the third-lowest for an AL starter in the last 50 seasons (minimum 175 innings). He also led all AL pitchers in fWAR (6.8), strikeouts, opponents' on-base percentage (.242), strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.78) and road wins (12), and was second in innings pitched. He also ranked third in ERA (2.52) and opponents' batting average (.200).
In five starts in September, Verlander went 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 33 innings, posting at least 10 strikeouts in each of his final four starts to help the Astros win the AL West title.

The 2018 season also saw Verlander reach his 200th career win, on Aug. 19 at Oakland, and notch his 2,500th career strikeout in a complete-game shutout at the Angels on May 16. He made the All-Star team this year, was the AL Pitcher of the Month for May and was twice named AL Player of the Week.
• 2018 awards coverage
Verlander is seeking his second Cy Young Award. In 2011, he won the Cy Young and AL Most Valuable Player Award while with the Tigers. He's finished second in the AL Cy Young voting twice (2012, 2016) and third once (2009).