Astros vs. Rangers ALCS Game 1 Starting Pitcher Matchup - October 15 (2024)

Data Skrive

The Houston Astros host the Texas Rangers to begin the ALCS on Sunday at 8:15 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.

Learn more about this Astros vs. Rangers matchup on Fox Sports.

The probable pitchers are Justin Verlander (13-8, 3.22 ERA) for the Astros against Jordan Montgomery (10-11, 3.20 ERA) for the Rangers.

Astros Probable Starter: Justin Verlander

• Verlander (13-8 with a 3.22 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 162 1/3 innings pitched) gets the start for the Astros, his 28th of the season.
• The righty's last time out was on Saturday, Oct. 7 against the Minnesota Twins, when he tossed six scoreless innings while allowing four hits.
• The 40-year-old has amassed a 3.22 ERA and 8 strikeouts per nine innings in 27 games this season, while giving up a batting average of .226 to opposing hitters.
• Verlander is trying to secure his 15th quality start of the season.
• Verlander will aim to go five or more innings for his 22nd straight appearance. He's averaging six innings per outing.
• He is trying to keep a streak of two games without allowing an earned run intact.
• The opposing Rangers offense has a collective .263 batting average, and is second in the league with 1470 total hits and third in MLB action with 881 runs scored. It has the third-ranked slugging percentage (.452) and ranks third in home runs (233) in all of MLB.
• Verlander has pitched seven innings, giving up one earned run on four hits while striking out six against the Rangers this season.
• The 40-year-old's 3.22 ERA ranks ninth, 1.133 WHIP ranks 14th, and 8 K/9 ranks 34th among qualifying pitchers this season.

Verlander's Game Props

• Strikeouts Prop: Over/Under 5.5 (Over Odds: +105)
• Hits Prop: Over/Under 4.5 (Over Odds: -141)

Verlander's Recent Appearances

Rangers Probable Starter: Jordan Montgomery

• The Rangers will hand the ball to Montgomery (10-11) for his 33rd start of the season.
• The left-hander's last appearance was on Sunday, Oct. 8, when he threw four innings against the Baltimore Orioles, giving up four earned runs while allowing nine hits.
• The 30-year-old has pitched in 32 games this season with an ERA of 3.20 and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings, with an opponent batting average of .247.
• In 32 starts this season, he's earned 20 quality starts.
• In 32 starts, Montgomery has pitched through or past the fifth inning 28 times. He has a season average of 5.9 frames per outing.
• He has made 32 appearances and finished seven of them without allowing an earned run.
• The Astros rank fourth in MLB with a .259 batting average this season. They have a team slugging percentage that ranks sixth in the league (.437) and 222 home runs.
• The Astros have gone 6-for-25 with a double, a home run and an RBI in one game against the left-hander this season.
• Among qualified pitchers in the majors this campaign, the 30-year-old ranks eighth in ERA (3.20), 23rd in WHIP (1.193), and 36th in K/9 (7.9).

Montgomery's Recent Appearances

Astros vs. Rangers Game Info

• Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023
• Time: 8:15 PM ET
• TV: FOX
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Venue: Minute Maid Park