VERLANDER TO GET START IN GAME 1
Astros ace Justin Verlander will start Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Tuesday against the Mariners, manager Dusty Baker said.
Baker did not commit to anything beyond Verlander taking the ball in Game 1, but Framber Valdez is the most logical choice to throw Game 2 on Thursday. An off day between Games 1 and 2 would allow Verlander to pitch in Game 4 — if one is necessary — on full rest.
Verlander won the major league ERA title with a 1.75 mark — the lowest by any American League starter in a 162-game season since Pedro Martinez in 2000 — and is a heavy favorite to capture the third Cy Young Award of his career. The 39-year-old righthander led the majors with a 0.829 WHIP and surrendered just six hits per nine innings.
Verlander made six regular-season starts against Seattle — his most against any opponent this season. The Mariners mustered 11 earned runs and struck six home runs in the 421⁄3 innings Verlander threw. Seattle handed him one of his worst starts of the season on May 27, shelling him for a season-high 10 hits and six earned runs across six innings at T-Mobile Park.