Astros Release Starting Rotation for ALCS Games 1-3
By Parker White
Led by ace Gerrit Cole, the Houston Astros will face the New York Yankees in the ALCS. The series begins on Saturday, and now we officially know who will be starting Game 1.
Manager A.J. Hinch announced the team's starters for the first three games of the series.
Barring something dramatic: It will be Zack Greinke in Game 1, Justin Verlander in Game 2; Gerrit Cole in Game 3. #Astros
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 11, 2019
Instead of having Justin Verlander be the Game 1 starter on short rest, which didn't go well in the ALDS, former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke will get the ball. Verlander will go next and Gerrit Cole will take the ball in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.
The rotation is a little bit out of whack after the ALDS, but these three aces are still going all in a row.
A.J. Hinch announced the Astros' ALCS rotation:
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 11, 2019
Game 1: Zack Greinke
Game 2: Justin Verlander
Game 3: Gerrit Cole
Game 4: TBA
Hinch has yet to announce who the Game 4 starter will be. Obviously, that will depend on how the series is going and whether it's a must win.
At this point, Jose Urquidy, Wade Miley or even Brad Peacock are the most likely candidates for that start.