Game 1 of the AL Championship Series is scheduled for this evening, with the Rangers taking on the Astros in Houston at 7:15pm CT. Future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander (3.22 ERA) will take the mound for the Astros opposite southpaw Jordan Montgomery (3.20 ERA). Both clubs have announced their 26-man rosters for the upcoming series.
The most noteworthy inclusions on these rosters are Texas right-handers Max Scherzer and Jon Gray, both of whom were seen as possibilities for the ALCS but not guaranteed due to health issues. Scherzer has been working his way back from a teres major strain since mid-September, while Jon Gray has been on the shelf in recent weeks with forearm tightness. Scherzer is expected to join a starting group for the Rangers that already contains Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi, with some combination of Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning rounding out the group.
Gray, meanwhile, will head to the bullpen as a potential multi-inning option alongside Martin Perez. Departing the roster in deference to the two veterans are lefty Brock Burke, who allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while recording just one out during the ALDS, and Matt Bush, who has not made an appearance during the postseason this year but was also on the club’s ALDS roster.
Meanwhile, Houston’s roster features less intrigue. Right-hander Kendall Graveman was held off the roster due to ongoing shoulder troubles, as previously expected. The only change from the club’s ALDS roster is the addition of Ronel Blanco, who posted a 4.50 ERA and 5.99 FIP in 17 starts for the Astros this season and gives the club an additional multi-inning option out of the bullpen. He’ll take the roster spot of outfielder Jake Meyers, who did not appear during the ALDS against the Twins.
The rosters…
Astros
- Right-handed pitchers: Bryan Abreu, Ronel Blanco, Hunter Brown, JP France, Cristian Javier, Phil Maton, Rafael Montero, Hector Neris, Ryan Pressly, Ryne Stanek, Jose Urquidy, Justin Verlander
- Left-handed pitchers: Framber Valdez
- Catchers: Yainer Diaz, Martin Maldonado
- Infielders: Jose Abreu, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Mauricio Dubon, Grae Kessinger, Jeremy Pena, Jon Singleton
- Outfielders: Yordan Alvarez, Michael Brantley, Chas McCormick, Kyle Tucker
Rangers
- Right-handed pitchers: Dane Dunning, Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Jose Leclerc, Josh Sborz, Max Scherzer, Chris Stratton
- Left-handed pitchers: Cody Bradford, Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Heaney, Jordan Montgomery, Martin Perez, Will Smith
- Catchers: Mitch Garver, Austin Hedges, Jonah Heim
- Infielders: Josh Jung, Nathaniel Lowe, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Josh H. Smith
- Outfielders: Evan Carter, Adolis Garcia, Robbie Grossman, Travis Jankowski, Leody Taveras
Not only has Matt Bush not appeared in the postseason for the Rangers, he did not appear in 2023 for the Rangers either. His contract was selected on the second to last day of the season. It must be rare for a player to get postseason shares despite not having any appearances for the team at all.
His comeback story is quite something, which is probably why. Also, he was great last season for Texas and seems to have improved the last few months since rejoining the organization.
He just keeps overcoming the odds
The exclusionary policy…
I predict Houston will sweep.
The Asterisks should be scared because this is the year that I have gotten most post-season outcomes wrong.
Either Verlander or Scherzer goes to World Series, assuming Max does not get injured
“Either Verlander or Scherzer goes to World Series”
That’s a really bold prediction right there. Can’t believe you came up with that one. You’re so astute!
Floyd Lemerson
Obviously, the first part is the prediction and the last comment is an observation.
But thanks for your ass-toot!
Lol. Manny still call them “Asterisks”. This time next week, he will be calling them back to back American League Champions. They are a dynasty and calling them a tired, worn out name only makes it sweeter for Houston fans.
Steven
They can be a dynasty and still keep their moniker for past cheating
I have no reason to think any cheating occurred on Dusty’s watch
But since they did not return their trophy from cheating and no players were punished, even though only a couple of those players remain, the moniker will continue
So put a (trash can) lid on it
Manny is all too familiar with monikiers with his team forever being the ‘lovable losers’. Let’s let the little guy have his fun since his resentment bar is still on max going on 4 years now.
No sweep.
That sweep comment didn’t take long to go stale.
Beat you to it
Lol. I was too wordy and you were pithy.
Yes!!
Best wishes for your team tonight.
Thanks. Btw, is that profile picture of the Challenger spaceship that blew up in 73 seconds?
Nuclear bomb test by the French in 1968.
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including the ALCS.
Including Texas toast
Some Texas toast and BBQ sounds pretty good right now.
Not sure how much they expect out of Scherzer. Might end up being a liability.
And might not. Hard to tell but if he’s the ace they traded for like most seasons, that’s scary.
I like Max but I’m just not sure he’s that guy anymore. Hope I’m wrong.
It’s been said that about Verlander thrice in his career, one of them being this year when he was with the Mets. Scherzer has had more consistently good years than Verlander. Has age caught up with him? That’s the question.
I hate Max, but I think he is still a huge improvement over the rest of the rotation (Martin Perez).
I think Houston wins but I hope I’m wrong. I doubt they sweep though. They don’t seem as good as last year’s club. Verlander truly was the difference with that trade.
Rangers are scary good too and took down two tough teams already, so we will see. Adding Scherzer into that mix can make them even better, so long as he has his A game.
The Rangers just could be this year’s team to get hot at the right time and win it all.
Houston has a superior bullpen, Texas has a significantly better lineup, and Texas has more rotation upside but probably is behind Houston a little. Houston probably has an edge, but Texas is streaky enought to win a lot.
Both sides have question marks with their rotations. Is Max healthy? Is Gray any good if he’s healthy? Does Framber continue to suck like he has recently? Does JV’s World Series alter ego (which is basically Kershaw Playoffsesque) appear in the ALCS? Will Javier walk 5 in 5 ip while shutting the Rangers out…or will the Rangers hit CJ timely with RISP?
Rangers have much better lineup, Astros better pen…rotations might decide the series.
I’m of the opinion that the series goes 7 games. Astros will win some shut down games and the Rangers have a couple 9-5, 8-3 Ws. Astros poor play at home catches to them? Astros SP depth gets exposed? Rangers bullpen blows out it once too many times? This is going to be a fun series. Leaning Astros take it, mostly due to their long run and wanting a rematch for the Phillies, but see the Rangers as formidable as any recent team to dethrone the Champs.
Was hoping to see JV vs Max but don’t think we’ll see that. I’m taking Texas in a long series. Hopefully we get a good series, this playoffs has been a lot of sweeps.
Bochy vs Baker
Two ex-Giant managers
Rangers seem to have a deeper roster than Astros but the experience under pressure Astros shine.
The Astros and Rangers have played a total of 13 games against each other in the 2023 season, in which the Astros have an record of 9-4 (69.2%) against the Rangers.
Asterisks have the experience and Rangers have to overcome the pressure.
Speaking of asterisks, many of those 2016 Cubs really forgot how to make elite contact after Fiers outed the league-wide cheating scandal late in 2020. Enjoy your couch this October
You could also look at it as being time for the Astros vs Texas games to move back to the mean.
This series is about more than baseball. It’s about barbecue, race, and generational hand me down boots.
Don’t sleep on generational hand-me-down boots. Those guys were craftsman back then.
Without a doubt. The Red Wing Iron Ranger is a perfect example of a boot that when properly taken care of, will last a lifetime.
How has Ezekiel Duran managed such a fall from grace?
The league adjusted to him and figured out he can’t hit sliders away, on top of basically never walking. He’s young and will hopefully figure it out, plus Bochy loves him.
This matchup has all the boxes checked. Managers, players, past success. It should be great series. Looking forward to watching. might give edge to Houston based on 3 ex-Cleveland guys to 1 for Texas.
Expect to see major changes to the playoff format… Manfred must hate seeing no big east or west coast teams in it. He will probably have a “Commissioners Appointed” team if he doesn’t like the matchup. If Texas wins, he might just say, “No, I think the Yankees should be in the World Series” and he just puts them in instead.
Astros and Rangers in it but really in the Midwest,and Diamondbacks In the West,
Blanco?
Hope the Rangers beat up the stros, it should be a fun series.
Dang, no Bush 🙁
Maybe, Texas gets lucky and Martin Perez gets left off the team plane by accident so they can put him on?
I’ll either have a full head of gray or be bald by this series end