Nationals really know how to sit on pitchers. They take what you give them and then open you up. They can hit or pull the ball. Something that the Yankees have a hard time doing . They can hit HR and pull the ball, but are always looking to do that.

Also Cole , even though he is basically unhittable, doesn’t pitch effectively after giving up runs or if you are able to touch him. Sale is the same way . You get some runs on him, it affects their pitching.

One thing that made Mark Burhle such a workhorse was that he could give up 3 runs, but still go the distance and prevent any further runs. He didn’t continue to leak runs. Verlander is similar. He can give up some runs , but then settle down and control the rest of the game

I think Verlander will get Astros back in it. But if they lose tonight. It’s over.