MLB playoffs: ALDS, Game 1, Houston vs. Cleveland game thread
The Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros kick off the MLB playoffs in game 1 of the ALDS
For each game this postseason, you will find a “game thread” here on Call To The Pen. This will be a spot that you can count on fans of the game to be around for chat on the game as it happens throughout the MLB playoffs in the month of October, all the way through the World Series.
Many hoped to see this matchup last season, when Cleveland had a dominant role in the second half of the season and the Astros were the top team in the American League all year. Alas, the Yankees upset the Indians to spoil that ideal matchup.
This season, Cleveland is getting love in the betting community, but they are simply not the same team. While the overall pitching staff appears strong, that is entirely based on the starting rotation. The Indians’ bullpen is ranked 27th in baseball per Fangraphs. The closest playoff team is 17th, and the difference in this series is massive, as the Astros are ranked 3rd.
The Astros were not the same team in the regular season either, but most of their issues were injury related as Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Brian McCann, and George Springer all missed notable time during the season. Those players are all healthy heading into the postseason, and that can make the Astros a legitimate favorite for the entire postseason.
For the Astros
The defending World Series champs will open the MLB playoffs as one would expect, sending ace Justin Verlander to the mound in game 1. Verlander was incredible in the postseason last year for the Astros, and he’s been tremendous in 2018.
Verlander struck out 290 over 214 innings with a 2.52 ERA for Houston this season, and he is the ultimate ace, making runs a premium against him in any game. The one area where he can be vulnerable is the long ball, as he did give up 28 home runs, and while, outside of their two stud infielders the Cleveland Indians have a mediocre offense overall, that offense can certainly drive the ball, which could allow them to get to Verlander.
The Astros announced lineup:
1. George Springer, CF
2. Jose Altuve, 2B
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
5. Marwin Gonzalez, LF
6. Carlos Correa, SS
7. Tyler White, DH
8. Josh Reddick, RF
9. Martin Maldonado, C
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For the Indians
The Indians will open the MLB playoffs with their own ace, two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber. He led statistically the best rotation in baseball, and arguably one of the best in recent history.
Kluber won 20 games and struck out 222 over 215 innings for the Indians this season with just a 2.89 ERA, but like Verlander, if there’s a way to beat him, it’s with the home run ball, as he allowed 25 this season. The Astros have not hit home runs at the same level as 2017, but they have the same power throughout their lineup that could certainly produce that sort of power.
The Indians announced lineup:
1. Francisco Lindor, SS
2. Michael Brantley, LF
3. Jose Ramirez, 2B
4. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
5. Josh Donaldson, 3B
6. Yonder Alonso, 1B
7. Melky Cabrera, RF
8. Yan Gomes, C
9. Jason Kipnis, CF
How umpires fared in the first night of NLDS. dark. Next
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