The Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) and Carlos Correa (L) celebrate a 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at the end of Game 1 of the ALCS...
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| The Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) and Carlos Correa (L) celebrate a 7-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at the end of Game 1 of the ALCS at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on October 13, 2018. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI |
UPI
Justin Verlander wasn't at his best but he was a lot better than Chris Sale.
In the end, the result was Verlander and the defending World Series champion Houston Astros throttling the host Boston Red Sox by a 7-2 count in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series on Saturday.
The 48-degree temperatures may have been to blame for the uncharacteristic struggles of Verlander and Sale, as the teams battled their way to a sixth-inning tie. That all changed when Carlos Correa singled to give the Astros a lead they would never relent and their fifth straight victory in the postseason.
Josh Reddick added a solo shot to lead off the ninth and Yuli Gurriel blasted a three-run homer to put things way out of reach.
Game 2 is Sunday, again in Boston, with David Price set to take the mound for the Red Sox against the Astros' Gerrit Cole. Price is 0-9 in 10 postseason starts.
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