Houston Astros Pick Veteran for Start in ALCS Game 5
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Houston Astros will go back to veteran Justin Verlander as the starting pitcher for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday at Globe Life Field.
The Texas Rangers have not named a starting pitcher.
Verlander pitched in Game 1 of the series, a game the Rangers won, 2-0.
Verlander put together a fine game against Texas, even though he took the loss, to drop to 1-1 for the postseason with a 1.42 ERA. He went 6 2/3 innings, giving up six hits and two runs. He struck out five and walked two.
He gave up one home run in the game, a solo shot to Rangers No. 9 hitter Leody Taveras in the fifth inning, which gave Texas a 2-0 lead. It was Taveras’ first career postseason home run.
Verlander has a 17-12 postseason record with a 3.51 ERA.
If the Rangers decide to stay on the same schedule, then left-hander Jordan Montgomery would start Game 5. If he did start, like Verlander, he would be pitching on normal rest.
Montgomery was impressive in Game 1, going 6 1/3 innings, giving up five hits but no runs as he struck out six and walked one.
He did some of his most impressive work against Astros' slugger Yordan Alvarez, who struck out three times to the left-hander.
2023 ALCS schedule (FOX/FS1)
Game 1: Rangers 2, Astros 0
Game 2: Rangers 5, Astros 4
Game 3: Astros 8, Rangers 5 (Rangers lead series, 2-1)
Game 4: Thursday at Arlington, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)
Game 5: Friday at Arlington, 4:07 p.m. (FS1)
Game 6*: Sunday at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)
Game 7*: Monday at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (Fox/FS1)
*If necessary
