ALDS GAME 1
Astros-Indians Game 1 preview: Aces square off in important first game
Oct 5, 2018, 7:30 am
Astros fans will be rocking today. Elsa/Getty Images
The Astros and Indians will kick off game one of the ALDS today. Here is a preview of the game. Check back right after the game for a full recap:
When: 1:05 p.m.
Where: Minute Maid Park.
TV: TBS.
Streaming: TBS App.
Pitching matchup: Justin Verlander vs. Corey Kluber.
Series: Tied 0-0.
The breakdown: So it begins. In game 1 we will see the two aces go head-to-head to try and keep scoring low and keep their team a run or two away from taking an important 1-0 lead in this best-of-5. The Astros have home field advantage for this series, which not only means they would host a potential game 5 if it goes that far but also gives them the benefit of having their home crowd loud and proud behind them in the first two games which also puts the Indians in a hostile environment. Look for this series to be a battle of starting pitching with a few timely runs being the difference.
Series schedule:
| Date & Time (Central) | Location | Pitching matchup | |
| Game 1 | Today, 1:05 PM | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Verlander vs. Kluber |
| Game 2 | Sat 10/6, 3:37 PM | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Cole vs. Carrasco |
| Game 3 | Mon 10/8, 12:30 PM | Progressive Field, Cleveland | Keuchel vs. Clevinger |
| Game 4* | Tuesday 10/9, 3:35 PM | Progressive Field, Cleveland | Morton+ vs. TBD |
| Game 5* | Thursday 10/11, 3:07 PM | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Verlander+ vs. TBD |
* Games 4-5 are if necessary.
+-projected starters.
The Houston Texans have a big challenge in store as they look to start the season with a win against the Colts this Sunday. When these two teams met in Week 2 last year, the Colts dominated the Texans, despite losing their QB Anthony Richardson to a concussion after the first quarter.
Keeping Richardson contained on Sunday will go a long way in increasing the Texans' chances of coming home with a win. The Texans defense will have their hands full containing the Colts backs and tight ends in the passing game.
Scoring touchdowns with their wide receivers could prove difficult, as the Texans allowed the second-fewest TDs (10) to the receiver position in 2023.
Limiting running back Jonathan Taylor will also be a top priority. While the Texans had an elite defense against the run last season, they struggled with Taylor in Week 18 as he almost rushed for 200 yards.
Houston's D allowed only four carries to running backs in 2023 that went for 20 or more yards. Two of which were to Taylor in the final game of the regular season.
Finally, DeMeco Ryans and company have to find a way to get pressure on the QB. They only had one QB hit and zero sacks on Richardson and Garner Minshew the first time they faced off last year.
On offense, the Texans have two big x-factors to watch for on Sunday. The offensive line that suited up to play the Colts in Week 2 last season is completely different from this year.
The o-line was ravaged with injuries to start the 2023 campaign, so we expect a big jump in productivity in the trenches this year.
Another big addition in 2024 is the presence of running back Joe Mixon. The running game only produced 2 yards per rush in Week 2 against Indy last year, so there's clearly room for improvement.
Be sure to watch the video above for our in-depth preview of Texans-Colts!
And catch Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) live on our SportsMapTexans YouTube channel following every game this season!