Rangers vs Astros: Jordan Montgomery outduels Justin Verlander in Game 1

The Texas Rangers shut out the Houston Astros 2-0 in Game 1 of the ALCS, taking a 1-0 series lead.

The Texas Rangers started the American League Championship Series (ALCS) with a bang, shutting out the reigning World Series champions, the Houston Astros, in a 2-0 victory at Minute Maid Park. This win puts the Rangers ahead in the best-of-seven series, with a 1-0 lead. The team that emerges victorious from this series will go on to face either the Philadelphia Phillies or the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series.

The Rangers' success in Game 1 can be attributed to several key factors. Veteran left-hander Jordan Montgomery delivered a strong performance as the starting pitcher, going 6 1/3 innings without allowing a run. Outfielders Evan Carter and Leody Taveras, along with catcher Jonah Heim, made crucial contributions on offense. Heim drove in a run with a single, while Taveras hit a solo home run off Astros ace Justin Verlander.

The Rangers also benefited from a video review in the eighth inning, which revealed that Astros second baseman Jose Altuve had failed to retouch second base while returning to first on a deep fly out by Alex Bregman. This mistake resulted in a double play that halted the Astros' rally and further solidified the Rangers' victory.

One of the standout performers for the Rangers was outfielder Evan Carter, who continued his impressive postseason performance. He entered Game 1 with a batting average of .429, along with an on-base percentage of .619 and a slugging percentage of .857 in his first five playoff games. Carter's hustle double in the second inning set the stage for the Rangers' first run, as he later scored on a Jonah Heim single. Carter has now recorded a hit in all six of his playoff games so far, an impressive feat for a rookie who only made his major league debut in September.

Center fielder Leody Taveras also made a significant impact, hitting his first career playoff home run in Game 1. This home run accounted for the Rangers' second and final run of the game. Taveras, who is only 25 years old, has shown great potential and could be a key player for the Rangers in this series.

The pitching duel between Jordan Montgomery and Justin Verlander was a highlight of Game 1. Both starters lasted at least six innings, making it the first postseason game this year in which both starters achieved this feat. Montgomery's shutout performance was particularly impressive, as he allowed only five hits and one walk while striking out six batters. He also managed to strike out Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez three times, joining a select group of pitchers who have achieved this feat against Alvarez.

Verlander, despite giving up the two runs, also had a solid outing, allowing six hits and two walks over 6 2/3 innings. It is worth noting that this start marked a milestone for Verlander, as he surpassed Tom Glavine for the second-most postseason starts by a pitcher, with 36 starts. However, Verlander still trails Andy Pettitte, who holds the record with 44 starts.

The pivotal moment of the game came in the eighth inning when Jose Altuve failed to retouch second base while returning to first on a fly out by Alex Bregman. The Rangers appealed this play, and after a video review, it was determined that Altuve had violated the baserunning rules. As a result, Altuve was called out, and the Astros' potential rally was cut short.

Taking a 1-0 lead in a best-of-seven series has historically been advantageous, with teams winning the series 64.4% of the time. This puts the Rangers in a favorable position, as they now only need three more wins to secure the series, while the Astros need four. Additionally, the Rangers have the opportunity to win the series without winning another road game, while the Astros must win at least one road game to claim the series and advance to the World Series.

The Rangers and the Astros will face off again in Game 2 at Minute Maid Park. The Rangers will send Nathan Eovaldi to the mound, while the Astros will counter with Framber Valdez. The game will take place on Monday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 4:37 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action by streaming the game on fubo.