Verlander’s Chance to Shine Against Dodgers Ace
Justin Verlander’s 2025 season has not been the smooth ride that many Giants fans were hoping for, but the 42-year-old veteran has quietly started to put together a strong stretch of performances. Early in the season, things looked shaky. The numbers weren’t great, and plenty of people were questioning whether the San Francisco Giants had made a mistake investing $15 million in a pitcher at this stage of his career. But over the last couple of months, Verlander has been steadily reminding everyone why he’s a three-time Cy Young winner and one of the most accomplished arms of his generation.
Since April 15th, he has posted a respectable 3.77 ERA with a 3.59 FIP, which suggests his performance has been more reliable than it may have appeared on the surface. More importantly, since July 23rd, he has been even sharper—carrying a 2.61 ERA and a 2.54 FIP across his last nine starts. That’s vintage Verlander territory. The frustrating part for Giants fans, though, is that despite those efforts, the team has only managed to win three of those nine outings. So, while Verlander has been doing his part, the run support and timing haven’t always been there.
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Tonight feels different. This game against the Dodgers is more than just another regular-season matchup—it’s a chance for Verlander to truly stamp his mark as a Giant. The Dodgers are sending Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound, a young ace who’s been stellar all year and just as dominant in the second half. Since July 13th, Yamamoto has logged a 2.64 ERA, nearly identical to Verlander’s recent numbers. It sets up a classic duel: the battle-tested veteran against the rising star.
The stakes are high. With the Mets stumbling and the wild card race tightening, the Giants still have a path to the postseason, but they need every possible win. A victory over their biggest rival, with Verlander outdueling one of the league’s brightest arms, would not only boost the team’s chances but also cement Verlander’s redemption arc this season. Giants fans who may have doubted whether the investment was worth it could walk away from tonight’s game with a new level of respect for the veteran.
This outing could also shape Verlander’s future. If he finishes the season strong and manages to bring his ERA under 4.00, there’s a real chance he earns another contract for 2026. If not, retirement might loom larger, even though he has voiced his desire to keep pitching. At his age, he’s no longer expected to go deep into games—five innings has become the standard—but those innings still carry weight, especially when they come against an offense as dangerous as the Dodgers.
Verlander has built his career on rising to the biggest occasions. Tonight offers him the stage for one more shining moment, and if he delivers, it could be remembered as the defining performance of his time in San Francisco.
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