Texas Rangers Must Handle Houston Astros Postseason Star Justin Verlander in ALCS Game 1

For the Texas Rangers to earn a win in Game 1, they must get past Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander at Minute Maid Park.

HOUSTON – Jordan Montgomery has four postseason starts to his name entering Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

His pitching counterpart, right-hander Justin Verlander, had that many last October when he helped the Houston Astros claim their second World Series title. 

Everything is about setting the tone between the Texas Rangers and Astros. A victory Sunday evening at Minute Maid Park doesn't mean instantaneous success, but it does give one club the immediate upper hand. 

And sure, maybe experience won't be the deciding factor in Game 1's outcome, but it certainly helps the Astros to have a "been there, done that" hurler on the mound. 

“Yeah, absolutely. Anxiousness, nerves, excitement, all the feels,” Verlander said Saturday of making his 36th career postseason start. 

Verlander's October success began back when he was with the Detroit Tigers as part of the tandem with now-Rangers foe Max Scherzer. Once Houston decided to go all-in in 2017, Verlander was a vital component. 

He thought inking a three-year contract with the New York Mets last offseason would help him expand those playoff numbers. Instead, the Astros got aggressive again at the deadline to bring him back. 

Texas also didn't stand pat during July, primarily upgrading its pitching rotation and bullpen. Scherzer was the big-ticket name, but Montgomery emerged as the more consistent option, posting a 2.79 ERA in 11 starts with the Rangers. 

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Montgomery said. “It’s a big game, big series.”

Rangers left-hander Jordan Montgomery celebrates a strikeout against Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round.  / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Montgomery might be new to facing the Astros as one of the frontline starters for the Rangers, but he did face Houston as a member of the St.Louis Cardinals in June. In 6 2/3 innings pitched, he only allowed one run and struck out six in a 4-2 victory. 

Of course, things have changed since the midseason blip at the Juice Box. Second baseman Jose Altuve and All-Star outfielder Yordan Alvarez both were out with injuries. 

Both were factors in Houston's 3-1 ALDS series win over the Minnesota Twins. 

“There’s no such thing as an easy game against Houston,” Montgomery said. “But definitely just going to try and see if I can recreate that. That would be great.”

It won't be an easy task for Verlander, either, who now faces a healthy Texas lineup headlined by multiple All-Stars. In a 12-3 win last month, Verlander, 40, allowed one earned run through seven innings and struck out seven. 

He did allow a home run to Marcus Semien in the first inning. 

“I’ll try not to take too much from (that outing),” Verlander said. “Each game is unique and different, and there’s a back-and-forth game that’s happening.”

While Verlander might have the reps, Montgomery has the hot hand following his two starts against the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles. One will walk off the mound, setting his team up with the 1-0 lead. 

The other will simply walk off the mound. 

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