He knows he may have thrown his last pitch in 2024.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” Verlander told reporters after the start against Cleveland. “I personally still have some work to do this offseason, and that will happen after whatever happens in the playoffs.”

“That’s kind of my focus, and if I end up back here, that’ll be great. I love Houston, love the people, love my teammates. I had an incredible run.”

“If not, tip your cap and say, ‘Thank you for an incredible trip.'”

Verlander was a first-round pick by the Tigers in 2004 and led Detroit to two World Series appearances, 2006 and 2012, both losses for the Tigers. He was traded to the Astros in August 2017 and won two World Series in Houston, in 2017 and 2022.

The Tigers and Astros had to set their first-round playoff lineups Tuesday morning before Game 1, which was scheduled for first pitch at 2:32 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.