Texas Rangers Name Starting Pitcher for Game 1 of ALCS

The Texas Rangers decided to pit Jordan Montgomery against Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

The Texas Rangers announced that left-hander Jordan Montgomery will start Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros on Sunday at Minute Maid Park.

Justin Verlander is scheduled to go for the Astros.

Montgomery (1-0, 3.27) will be pitching for the first time in a week after starting Game 2 of the AL Division Series last Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Texas Rangers today announced LHP Jordan Montgomery as the club's probable starting pitcher for ALCS Game 1 at Houston on Sunday.

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) October 13, 2023

Montgomery took a no-decision, as he threw just four innings, giving up nine hits, five runs (four earned) and one walk. He struck out two. The Rangers went on to win.

Before the ALDS start, Montgomery was masterful in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching seven innings of shutout baseball. He allowed six hits, struck out five and walked none. That set the Rangers up to sweep the Rays in two games.

Montgomery has been the Rangers’ most effective starter since he joined them after the trade deadline from the St. Louis Cardinals.

He was 10-11 with a 3.70 ERA in the regular season and went at least six innings in each of his final four regular-season games, including seven innings on three occasions. He said earlier this postseason that he’s benefited from simplifying his approach.

2023 ALCS schedule (FOX/FS1)

Game 1: Sunday at Houston, 7:15 p.m. (Fox)

Game 2: Monday at Houston, 3:37 p.m. (Fox or FS1)

Game 3: Wednesday at Globe Life Field, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 4: Oct. 19 at Globe Life Field, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 5*: Oct. 20 at Globe Life Field, 4:07 p.m. (FS1)

Game 6*: Oct. 22 at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 7*: Oct. 23 at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (Fox/FS1)

*If necessary

World Series Odds for Rangers, Astros

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.