ALCS Game 1 at a glance
Astros-Red Sox Game 1 Preview: Goliath vs. Goliath
Oct 12, 2018, 6:56 am
Justin Verlander is back on the mound tonight. Elsa/Getty Images
With three wins down, the Astros will look to get four more in the ALCS to move on to their second consecutive World Series. To do so, they'll have to go through a much tougher Boston team than they played in the ALDS last year. Here are the details for today's Game 1. Look for our full recap after the game:
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Fenway Park, Boston.
TV: TBS.
Streaming: TBS App.
Pitching matchup: Justin Verlander vs. Chris Sale.
Series: Tied 0-0.
The breakdown: Much like Game 1 of the ALDS where the Astros had Verlander vs. Kluber for the Indians, the ALCS will also pit ace against ace in Game 1 with Verlander going against Chris Sale. Sale pitched in relief in the Game 4 win on Tuesday night so it will be interesting to see if that plays a factor at all in his velocity or performance tonight. Verlander, meanwhile, will be on extended rest with his last time on the mound going back to ALDS Game 1 on Oct. 5, and he typically prefers to keep a steady schedule to stay sharp. Look for the Astros to build on the strong road offense they displayed when they eliminated the Indians so they can steal one or both of these first two games in Boston before returning to Houston.
Series schedule:
| Result / Date & Time | Location | Pitching matchup | |
| Game 1 | Tonight, 7:00 PM | Boston | Verlander vs. Sale |
| Game 2 | Sun. 10/14, 6:00 PM | Boston | Cole vs. Price |
| Game 3 | Tues. 10/16, 4:00 PM | Minute Maid | Keuchel+ vs. TBD |
| Game 4 | Wed. 10/17, 7:30 PM | Minute Maid | Morton+ vs. TBD |
| Game 5* | Thu. 10/18, 7:00 PM | Minute Maid | Verlander+ vs. TBD |
| Game 6* | Sat. 10/20, 4:00 PM | Boston | Cole+ vs. TBD |
| Game 7* | Sun. 10/21, 6:30 PM | Boston | TBD vs. TBD |
* Games 5-7 are if necessary.
+-projected starters.
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Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning that sent the Houston Astros to an 8-5 win over the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.
That ball landed on Mars.#TheNextFrontier pic.twitter.com/yDh0fp1RvO
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 29, 2025
Christian Walker also had a two-run shot in the fourth to begin Houston's comeback from a 3-0 deficit. The Astros still trailed by one when Jeremy Peña singled in the sixth. Altuve followed with his drive off Jack Flaherty (1-3) that crashed off the wall above the left-field seats to put Houston up 4-3.
Altuve had two hits and three RBIs while batting second for the first time since 2023. He asked to move out of the leadoff spot to give him more time to get ready to hit in the first inning after coming in from the outfield. The nine-time All-Star moved to left field this year after spending his first 14 major league seasons playing second base.
Houston’s victory snapped a four-game winning streak for the Tigers, who got two homers from Riley Greene and one from Kerry Carpenter but managed just two other hits.
The Astros tacked on four runs in the seventh with the help of sloppy defense by the Tigers. Rookie shortstop Trey Sweeney made throwing errors on consecutive plays with no outs to put runners at second and third.
Mauricio Dubón singled to score them both and extend the lead. Houston added runs on a groundout by Altuve and an RBI single by Yordan Alvarez to push it to 8-3.
Houston starter Ronel Blanco allowed three hits and three runs while striking out six in five innings. Steven Okert (1-0) worked a scoreless sixth for the win. Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his eighth save.
Flaherty yielded six hits and four runs — both season highs — in five-plus innings.
Key moment
Altuve’s home run.
Key stat
Peña has four hits in two games batting leadoff. He hit first Sunday — with Altuve getting a day off — and stayed in the top spot Monday when Altuve dropped to second.
Up next
Houston RHP Ryan Gusto (3-1, 2.78 ERA) opposes RHP Reese Olson (3-1, 3.28) when the series continues Tuesday night.