Morton gets assignment to start home opener
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The man who sealed Houston’s first World Series championship will be the center of its next celebration.
Barring unforeseen hiccups in this last full week of spring training, Charlie Morton will start the Astros’ home opener against the Orioles on April 2, manager A.J. Hinch revealed Sunday, a reward for the 34-year-old journeyman righthander who recorded the final out of Game 7 against the Dodgers.
“I think that’s something special that he’s earned,” Hinch said.
A pregame ceremony unfurling the championship banner is scheduled for the 6:10 p.m. home opener, which will be televised on ESPN.
In relief of starter Lance McCullers Jr., Morton pitched four innings of one-run ball to earn the Game 7 win Nov. 1 against the Dodgers. He retired the final 11 men in order, including Corey Seager on a groundout to end the game.
“When we come home, we’re going to hang a flag, and there’s going to be a lot of memories, some videos and some tributes to the World Series team,” Hinch said. “He got the last out of the World Series, and it’ll be nice to have him on the mound in the first home game.”
Hinch tabbed McCullers for the team’s third game of the season, March 31 against the Rangers in Arlington. Gerrit Cole’s Astros debut will follow one day later in the series finale.
Two weeks ago, Justin Verlander was named the team’s opening-day starter, with Dallas Keuchel to follow March 30.
Should the Astros keep this same rotation, Verlander will make his home debut April 3, when the team is scheduled to receive its World Series rings against Baltimore.