Brother: Mets' Justin Verlander 'was born' to play in New York

The brother of Justin Verlander believes the new New York Mets ace will handle pitching in the country's largest sports market just fine. 

"I think he was born for it," Fox Sports MLB analyst and podcast host Ben Verlander told Steve Serby of the New York Post about his older brother. "He’s a winner, he’s a go-getter, he wants to be the best. And what better way to be the best than to do it on the world’s biggest stage, which is in New York City. His mentality that he’s had his whole career is absolutely perfect for New York City." 

Justin Verlander was no stranger to the sport's biggest stages long before he put pen to paper on a two-year, $86.66 million deal that reportedly includes a vesting third-year option worth $35 million to join the Mets in December. The 40-year-old is a three-time Cy Young Award winner, a one-time American League Most Valuable Player, a one-time AL Championship Series MVP, a two-time World Series champion, and a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. 

What Verlander isn't, however, is used to competing in front of home New York audiences that can rattle even the biggest and best players in all of MLB. Ben suggested that Justin's wife, model Kate Upton, can help the right-hander make a smooth transition. 

"She is born for New York City," Ben said of Upton. "She’s super-excited to be there. She will be right at home in New York. She has been right at home in New York in the past, she’s called New York home before."

Back in December, Ben said that Justin was "blown away" by the Mets' "commitment to winning" during free-agency discussions. Ben insisted while speaking with Serby that his brother will quickly adopt the "World Series or bust" mentality embraced by big-spending owner Steve Cohen.

That's fine on March 10, but Justin probably should prepare himself to hear some boos at Citi Field as soon as this spring if he doesn't immediately pitch like an All-Star.