Justin Verlander isn’t buying the Yankees hype.
Verlander, a huge midseason trade acquisition who helped the Astros beat the Yankees in the ALCS and then claim a World Series title, decided to remind everyone that the defending champs are going to be a force in 2018 as well.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo proclaimed the Yankees favorites to win a 28th title on Tuesday during a show on MLB Network.
“There’s no way you can’t think that the Yankees are the team to beat in the American League,” Russo said.
Verlander, the MVP of the ALCS, responded a tweet with the Russo video with a simple retort.
“I can think of a reason,” Verlander tweeted, adding a thinking emoji for extra emphasis.
A day later, Verlander addressed media members at the start of spring training and didn’t back down.
“Everyone’s got to say stuff to get views or get likes or whatever,” Verlander said. “Obviously I think we’re the team to beat. I don’t really care about [someone’s] opinion, especially people that don’t play. Everything happens between the lines.
“I think the American League goes through us.”
The Yankees came up one game short of the World Series last season, and landed National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton in a trade this offseason. They also lost veterans Starlin Castro, Todd Frazier and Chase Headley, and could start the season with one or two rookies — or utility man Ronald Torreyes — at second and third base.
The Astros added one of the Yankees’ top trade targets, starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, will have Verlander for a full season and bolstered the bullpen by adding free agents Joe Smith and Hector Rondon. Houston’s lineup, which led the majors in runs last season, returns intact.