NEWSLETTER
Whenever I’m previewing games and discussing the starting pitchers, I always make sure to note that former stars – however old and broken down they currently are – are still capable of gems from time to time.
I can’t explain *precisely* why it happens, but my guess is that, for a night, whatever usually hurts, isn’t. Whatever grip has failed them, doesn’t. Whatever velocity they use to reach, pops up on the big board. And so on.
So, when Bartolo Colon took the mound against the Astros, arguably baseball’s best team, last night, I would’ve told you that dominance was technically possible … even if it was extremely unlikely. Naturally, he took a *perfect* game through 7.0 full innings. And it wasn’t until the eighth when the magic came to an end.
Check it out:
Colon’s final line read 7.2 IP, 1H, 1ER, 1BB, and 7Ks, and his season-long ERA is down to 1.45 (11th best among qualified Major League starters). More fun: According to FanGraphs, Colon posted an 85 game score last night, which is higher than anything he’s posted since August 31st 2015.
And perhaps the craziest part is that a 35-year-old Justin Verlander started opposite Colon and posted the same freakin’ game score with 8.0 IP, 1H, 1ER, 1BB, and 11Ks.
Justin Verlander and Bartolo Colon are a combined 79 years old … and they just combined for 15.2 IP, 18Ks, and two walks in tonights Astros/Rangers game. #DealingWithAge #LikeAFineWine
— Baseball is Fun (@flippingbats) April 16, 2018
Like.A.Fine.Wine.
