Red Sox at Astros: Game 1 lineup Sale vs. Verlander

Game 1 of the ALDS between the Red Sox and Astros starts today. Fans who want to watch today’s game which features two of the best pitchers in baseball will want to tune their television or device to MLB Networkat 4 pm ET.

Justin Verland, acquired in a late season trade from the Tigers, takes the ball for the Astros while Chris Sale gets the ball for the Red Sox in his first ever post season start. Sale is either going to win the AL Cy Young or finish second to Corey Kluber of the Indians while it would not be a surprise to see Verlander who was as good as anyone following his trade to Houston receive a strong showing in the voting himself.

Sale finished the regular season 17-8 with a 2.90 ERA in 214.1 innings leading the league with 308 strikeouts. It was the second time he has had that distinction. He has made the All-Star team the last six seasons and has received Cy Young votes in each of the last five years finishing third in 2014. Verlander was 15-8 this year with a 3.36 ERA in 206 innings after finishing second in Cy Young voting a year ago. Of course those numbers include a 5-0 run in his five starts following his trade to the Astros with a 1.06 ERA.

While a lot has been written about the pitchers, it’s worth noting that both of these teams posses powerful lineups which could steal the show. Jose Altuve of the Astros led the league with 204 hits and a .346 in what could be a AL MVP season.  Astros leadoff hitter George Springer hit 34 home runs this season.

Eduardo Nunez dealing with a knee injury is playing at DH which leaves rookie Rafael Devers at the hot corner. Mookie Betts had a bit of a drop off from his runner up AL MVP run last season but just days before his 25th birthday he’s got as bright of a future as anyone in baseball.

Below is the lineup for today’s game.