Houston could not take advantage of a great outing from Verlander as they could not scratch a run against Jordon Montgomery and the Rangers pitching as they dropped Game 1 of the ALCS 2-0. Framber Valdez will look to even the series when he takes the mound for the Astros. He has pitched well at home, posting a 3.35 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP. He is 4-3 with a 2.66 ERA over nine home starts against the Rangers in his career. The Astros' pitching staff has a 3-0 record with a 3.00 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in the last three games before last night. The Rangers have won six straight games, Nathan Eovaldi is 2-0 in the playoffs, but he has a 4.42 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in his 10 career starts at Minute Maid Park and he has given up 14 home runs in 53 innings to Houston batters. The Rangers pitching staff had struggled versus Houston this season prior to their Sunday matchup, producing a 4-9 record with a 7.16 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. I expect the Astro's bats to get going in this one and for the Astros to even the series.

Play on Houston. This is a 3% play