ADVERTISEMENT
ALDS Game 1 previews: Rays at Astros, Twins at Yankees
October 4th, 2019
The Astros' march back to the World Series begins Friday afternoon, as AL Cy Young contender Justin Verlander (21-6, 2.58 ERA) squares off with Tyler Glasnow (6-1, 1.78 ERA) and the Rays in their ALDS opener.
Verlander closed the year out strong, with a 5-1 record and 2.08 ERA in September (six starts). The Rays lineup struck out more times during the regular season than any team remaining in the playoffs. Verlander was second in the majors in strikeouts this year at 300, trailing only teammate Gerrit Cole, so expect any early Tampa scoring chances to be smothered by the stingy hurler from Virginia.
Verlander closed the year out strong, with a 5-1 record and 2.08 ERA in September (six starts). The Rays lineup struck out more times during the regular season than any team remaining in the playoffs. Verlander was second in the majors in strikeouts this year at 300, trailing only teammate Gerrit Cole, so expect any early Tampa scoring chances to be smothered by the stingy hurler from Virginia.
In a career full of incredible accomplishments, tonight will be on the short list of @JustinVerlander favorite baseball memories.
In one night he joined two remarkably distinct clubs. 3,000+ strikeouts in a career and 300 in a season. ???? Fans, post an appreciation gif. pic.twitter.com/L8TadTfkkl — AT&T SportsNet SW (@ATTSportsNetSW) September 29, 2019
Glasnow is not to be taken lightly. He was 4-0 with a 0.55 ERA and .142 opponent batting average in six starts on the road in 2019. However, he may not last long, as he has made just four appearances since May 10 and gone no further than 4 1/3 innings each time. Expect the Astros to scratch out some runs once they get into the Rays' overworked bullpen and prevail in a low-scoring affair.
MLB free play: Under
Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees, 7:07 p.m. ET, MLBN
Staff aces will be on the hill in the Bronx on Friday night, as Jose Berrios (14-8, 3.68 ERA) and the Twins face James Paxton (15-6, 3.82 ERA) and the Yankees in the first game of a best-of-five ALDS. The edge is firmly with the Bombers.
Paxton excelled in 2019 at Yankee Stadium, where he went 7-3 with a 3.35 ERA and .211 opponent batting average in 15 starts. Minnesota's order has struggled against "Big Maple" in the past. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz, catcher Mitch Garver and shortstop Jorge Polanco have all failed to record a hit against him in 15 total tries.
Paxton excelled in 2019 at Yankee Stadium, where he went 7-3 with a 3.35 ERA and .211 opponent batting average in 15 starts. Minnesota's order has struggled against "Big Maple" in the past. Designated hitter Nelson Cruz, catcher Mitch Garver and shortstop Jorge Polanco have all failed to record a hit against him in 15 total tries.
James Paxton learned yesterday that he was the #Yankees Game 1 starter in the ALDS.
“I'm trying to think of who I called first. My wife was right up there. She was one of the first.” — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) October 3, 2019
Berrios slumped in the second half of the season, with an ERA of 4.68 in 14 starts. Shortstop Didi Gregorius and outfielders Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge are a combined 10-for-24 (.417) all-time against the Puerto Rico native.
MLB free play: Yankees run line
ADVERTISEMENT