Houston Astros took down the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1
Astros vs. Rays score: Justin Verlander's historic performance sets the tone in Houston's Game 1 ALDS win.
On Friday, the Houston Astros knocked out the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of their American League Divisional Series with a 6-2 final. Justin Verlander and Tyler Glasnow traded outs through the first four-plus innings before the Astros found a way to score four runs in the bottom of the fifth, including two on a Jose Altuve home run.
Verlander, in turn, hit the Rays hitless until the top of the fifth when he singled to Brandon Lowe. It was the only hit he'd give up all day.
In the meantime, the Rays simply could not figure out the change and let their bullpen falter. As such, the Astros now have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Astros ace Justin Verlander continued to postpone the postseason charts of all time during a dominant outing with seven innings on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 or their match-up in the American League Division Series.
Change managed to clear the Rays for more than seven innings and allowed only one hit and three walks while he struck out eight. Houston won 6-2 and took the fast series ahead of the underdog Rays.
For Verlander, it was just another in a long series of postseason gems, and with every outing, he climbs the all-time postseason rankings.
"I never get complacent about what I've been able to do in the playoffs," Verlander said. "Each and every game is a new opportunity to go out and re-prove myself."
With his seventh strikeout - a hint of Yandy Diaz from Tampa Bay in the seventh inning - Change passed Roger Clemens for third place in the history of the late season. He is now at 175, eight behind Andy Pettitte and 24 behind the record holder, John Smoltz. If the Astros were enjoying a deep play-off run as expected, Change would probably pass Smoltz this month.
The victory was Verlander's 14th in the postseason, which brings him to third place with Hall of Famer Tom Glavine. He is behind Smoltz, while Pettitte is at the top with 19.
Even if the Astros are eliminated by the Rays, Verlander, 36, is likely to get more chances to add to his historic numbers: he continues to insist on plans to play until the age of 45.
| POSTSEASON WINS | LDS | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Pettitte | 7 | 19 |
| John Smoltz | 7 | 15 |
| Justin Verlander | 8 | 14 |
| Tom Glavine | 4 | 14 |
| * CC Sabathia has 6 LDS wins | ||
"I guess I kind of pegged this like 45 number," Verlander said in advance of his outing. "Whether that's realistic or not, I don't know. I know I'm not going to sell myself short."
Change Walks led lead-hitter Austin Meadows to start the game, after unusually struggling to find command of his fastball. You get used to his secondary throws to win two double-play grounders during an attempt by the defence of Houston. Change, usually a pitcher of a flying ball when opponents manage to bring the ball into play against him, seemed as proud or as one of the records.
"I don't know if that's the first game all year I've gotten two double plays," Verlander said. "These guys always give me a hard time because I don't get them enough ground balls. I was able to get them a few in the game today."
Apart from the defensive support, it was even an unusual banner effort, according to Verlander. He just became the 13th pitcher in the postseason history and held an opponent for more than one inning for at least seven innings. The last pitcher who did this was the Cincinnati Reds' Bronson Arroyo in 2012.
"He's an unbelievable competitor," Astros third baseman Alex Bregman said. "He prepares more than anybody. I love how much pride he takes in every start that he makes."
None of this was a surprise to Bregman and his teammates, who have seen most of his trips change since he joined the Astros late in the 2017 season. Yet they cannot help but admire the lasting excellence of Verlander.
"When you can execute at your best in the biggest moments," Astros manager AJ Hinch said. "I mean, there's nothing -- there's not a higher league. Like there's nowhere for him to go to be tested any further. So the test is really being able to do it start after start and then postseason after postseason.
"I don't know how to define it. I don't know what it's called. Whatever that 'it' factor is, he's got it."
Why the Astros won
It starts with Verlander. He was brilliant to the extent that he pitched seven one-hit innings while he blew eight and walked three. His start was the 13th in the post-season history with seven shutout-innings and one hit or less.
The Astros lineup also earns its share of the credit. Although runs were hard to beat against Glasnow, they jumped on the lower abdomen of the Rays bullpen - mostly Brendan McKay and Oliver Drake - and took advantage of some defensive miscues from Tampa Bay.
It is restrictive to say that it was a total effort from the team - Ryan Pressly was not at his game - but on Friday the Astros gave validation for the belief that they are the superior club in this series.
Why the rays were lost
As explained above, the Rays can blame their defeat for a few different aspects - competing against a future pitcher of the Hall of Fame; some defensive deficiencies; and so on. We will emphasize another point, and that goes against culture against their own MO.
The Altuve home run came on the third time he faced Glasnow. The Rays, as much as any team seems, are programmed to prevent unnecessary exposure. Kevin Cash seemed to want another frame - or at least one more batter - from Glasnow, and that eventually cost him.
It's clear that we don't just blame that decision on why the Rays lost, it just stood out as a call that doesn't seem to match what we know about the team.
Turning point
You don't have to search very hard to find out where the texture or game has changed. It was in the fifth inning when Altuve hit a two-run shot at Glasnow. That homer sets up the Astros 2-0, which was more than enough for Verlander and the crew. The Astros then added a few extra runs - partly due to a Brandon Lowe error - and made the outcome a fait accompli.
Play of the game
We keep referring to the Altuve home run, will we show you? Roll that beautiful image material:
What's next
The two parties will reconnect on Saturday. The Rays hope that Blake Snell can help them avoid falling into a 2-0 hole. The Astros will counter with Cy Young hopeful Gerrit Cole. A win in Houston puts the Rays in a predicament in Monday's third game.
