Justin Verlander, 0-5 in six World Series starts, back on the hill for the Astros

Houston – George Springer shook his head at the mere mention of Houston Astros teammate Justin Verlander's past October trouble, the only pitcher in baseball history to go 0-5 in the World Series.

"We wouldn't be here without him," Springer declared. "I don't care what individual stats say."

Then, as if to emphasize the point, the Astros outfielder repeated himself: "We wouldn't be here without him. So I'm glad that we're handing the ball to him. We'll see what happens."

Verlander will get a chance to make people forget his postseason struggles, including losses in win-and-advance games in this year's AL Division Series and Championship Series, if he can help Houston clinch a second championship in three years. The 36-year-old righthander will start Game 6 at home against Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.

"He's prepared. He's ready for this moment. We've been communicating back and forth throughout the whole series on how we were going to make an adjustment to what we were seeing and how we were going to attack," said Gerrit Cole, Verlander's rotation-mate and chief AL Cy Young Award competition this season.

"It's going to be business as usual for him. He's going to set the tone for us," Cole said. "Hopefully we can back him up with some runs, and play some great 'D.' "

Cole gave up just one run in seven innings and struck out nine as the Astros grabbed a 3-2 series lead Sunday night by beating the Nationals 7-1.

"I love that he's going to own it. I think it's also not going to overwhelm him. I think this would be a nice little bullet point on a résumé that's headed towards Cooperstown."

Verlander was among a handful of pitchers on the field after Hinch spoke, doing some light tossing.

After going 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA and 300 strikeouts during the regular season, this is what Verlander has done in five postseason starts: 1-3, 4.15 ERA, 35 strikeouts, 11 walks. That includes a 12-3 loss in Game 2, also while facing Strasburg.

Two years ago, in another World Series Game 6, Verlander could have sealed the Fall Classic against the Los Angeles Dodgers — and even had a sixth-inning lead — but Houston wound up losing 3-1. At least the Astros came back the next night to win Game 7 — and their first title.

Then, this October, Verlander got the ball on short rest for Game 4 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, but again couldn't get the job done in a close-out game, giving up three runs in the first inning and losing 4-1. Once again, though, Houston won the next game to advance.

Strasburg, meanwhile, truly has been at his best this postseason. The 31-year-old righty enters Tuesday with a 4-0 record, 1.82 ERA, 40 strikeouts and just two walks in five appearances this month, four as a starter.