No doubt it was Verlander's very good August which was the catalyst, but he's been sharp since his 1st start back in July, his ERA over his last 11 starts just north of 2.3.  He is locked and loaded.

Best prognostication is that Hou will square off in the ALDS vs. the WC team, none of whom amount to much more than a bucket of warm spit.  It is possible Hou with Verlander now sweeps, or at least doesn't work up much of a sweat, while Cle and Bos beat each other up.

The Verlander trade is the type of deal that Your Js couldn't figure out this season re:  Donaldson.  Maybe their strategy, or more accurately lack of strategy will play out through no fault of their own to their benefit, and is in keeping with their time-honoured tradition of throwing darts at the board and seeing what they hit.