Justin Verlander shocked as Mets lose close game vs Brewers: "I don't think anybody saw this coming"

Justin Verlander is as perplexed as anybody about the New York Mets' lack of success this season. Following their 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, Verlander admitted he was disappointed with the team's struggles and hoped that they could turn things around.

"I don't think anybody saw this coming," he said. "Disappointing. Disappointing for everybody in this room, I know. It's disappointing for the fans. Just got to keep trying. If there's one thing that I know the guys in this room are doing is trying their ass off."

New York had high hopes going into the 2023 season after a 101-win campaign in 2022. The Mets, however, are 35-43 and fourth in the NL East, having dropped seven of their last nine games.

Verlander didn't give up a run in five innings against the Brewers, allowing just five hits and two walks.

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Justin Verlander has struggled since joining the Mets

New York Mets v Houston Astros

Verlander has not lived up to expectations since signing a two-year, $86 million deal with the Mets in December.

He has a 2-4 record and just a 20.5% strikeout rate heading into Monday's game. However, he feels he is finding his feet as the season progresses.

“Bit of a grind, I worked on a lot of things, changing some mechanics,” Verlander said. “It was a bit erratic, kind of expected, but hopefully that’s a step in the right direction.”

Since starting his MLB career in 2005 with the Detroit Tigers, Justin Verlander has established himself as one of the finest pitchers in the league. Apart from winning the Cy Young award three times, including last season, he has also won the World Series twice. He has nine All-Star appearances and won the NL MVP and NLCS MVP awards.