Game 1 of the American League Division Series pits the Houston Astros' Justin Verlander against the Minnesota Twins' Bailey Ober on Saturday.

Source: https://abc13.com/will-astros-roof-be-open-how-minute-maid-park-determine-closed-minnesota-twins-bailey-ober/13872512/

His $70 million average salary is 62% above the previous high of $43,333,333, shared by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander with deals they struck with the New York Mets.

Source: https://kitchener.citynews.ca/2023/12/09/ap-news-in-brief-at-1204-a-m-est-479/

It was the first hit of the game for the Chicago White Sox against New York Mets starter Justin Verlander.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/07/20/chicago-white-sox-are-limited-to-3-hits-against-justin-verlander-in-a-5-1-loss-to-the-new-york-mets/

Joey Lucchesi authored the kind of masterpiece one might expect from Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander a month ago in San Francisco.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/05/21/scherzer-looks-solid-for-second-straight-outing-despite-thumb-issue/

Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were granted their escape from Queens – more on the Mets in a bit – but rumors of Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Josh Hader, Nolan Arenado and others changing addresses feel like distant memories.

Source: https://www.dailybreeze.com/2023/08/02/hoornstra-5-things-we-learned-from-the-mlb-trade-deadline/

Justin Verlander is scheduled to start on Sunday, looking to bounce back from his poor Citi Field debut on May 16. Verlander was booed off the field that game and now will have to attempt to outduel Guardians ace Shane Bieber.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/05/19/francisco-lindor-hits-walk-off-single-against-former-team-to-cap-thriller-against-cleveland-guardians-in-extras/

Justin Verlander says he will have a rehab start "and then go" pic.

Source: https://eldiariony.com/2023/04/25/justin-verlander-tendra-apertura-de-rehabilitacion-este-viernes-y-apunta-a-su-debut-con-new-york-mets/

Like with this spending period, when Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodon all secured at least $27 million in annual salary, the top of next year’s market has a chance to explode.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/01/05/the-case-for-extending-luis-severino-before-he-hits-free-agency-next-winter/

Los Angeles apparently had its eyes on Justin Verlander as well, but the three-time Cy Young Award winner ended up returning to the Houston Astros following his brief stint with the New York Mets.

Source: https://nesn.com/2023/08/mlb-rumors-why-eduardo-rodriguez-vetoed-trade-to-dodgers/

Mets: RHP Justin Verlander (strained upper back muscle) will head to the Port St. Lucie training complex when the team leaves Wednesday for a West Coast trip.

Source: https://wtop.com/sports/2023/04/with-dad-watching-ryan-weathers-leads-padres-over-mets-4-2/

New York Mets pitcher Justin Verlander looks out from the dugout before an opening day baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Thursday, March 30, 2023, in Miami.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/03/31/veteran-heavy-mets-ready-to-roll-with-the-punches-after-justin-verlander-injury-news/

One reason for optimism, Justin Verlander had Tommy John surgery and missed nearly two full years in his late 30s and came back to win his third Cy Young Award last season at age 39.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/06/11/mlb-notes-phillips-andovers-thomas-white-a-once-in-a-generation-talent/

Sources: The Giants are among the teams evaluating Justin Verlander as a trade deadline candidate, should he become willing to waive his no-trade clause.

Source: https://brobible.com/sports/article/mlb-contender-showing-interest-justin-verlander-trade/

Still, the Astros did lose Justin Verlander this offseason, and will be in need of a veteran pitcher at some point to fill that rotation void.

Source: https://fansided.com/2023/01/09/trevor-bauer-astros-rumors/

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Justin Verlander got in his work, but otherwise didn’t have many positives to offer about his outing Monday night.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/03/21/justin-verlander-admits-he-has-some-work-to-do-after-rough-mets-start/