Astros vs. Twins ALDS Game 1 Starting Pitcher Matchup - October 7

Updated Oct. 7, 2023 10:45 a.m. ET

Data Skrive

The Houston Astros host the Minnesota Twins in the first game of the ALDS on Saturday at 4:45 PM ET at Minute Maid Park.

Learn more about this Astros vs. Twins matchup on Fox Sports.

The matchup on the mound for this contest is set with the Houston Astros looking to Justin Verlander (13-8), and Bailey Ober getting the nod for the Minnesota Twins.

Astros Probable Starter: Justin Verlander

Verlander (13-8) gets the starting nod for the Astros in his 28th start of the season. He has a 3.22 ERA in 162 1/3 innings pitched, with 144 strikeouts.
In his last appearance on Sunday, the right-hander went five scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks while surrendering two hits.
The 40-year-old has put up an ERA of 3.22, with 8 strikeouts per nine innings, in 27 games this season. Opponents are hitting .226 against him.
Verlander has registered 14 quality starts this year.
Verlander will look to extend a 21-game streak of lasting five or more innings (he's averaging six frames per outing).
He has held his opponents without an earned run in six of his 27 appearances this season.
The opposing Twins offense has the seventh-ranked slugging percentage (.427) and is third in MLB play with 233 home runs. It has a collective .243 batting average, and is 19th in MLB with 1332 total hits and 10th in MLB action scoring 778 runs.
This season, the 40-year-old ranks eighth in ERA (3.22), 14th in WHIP (1.133), and 34th in K/9 (8) among pitchers who qualify.

Verlander's Game Props

Strikeouts Prop: Over/Under 6.5 (Over Odds: -125)
Hits Prop: Over/Under 4.5 (Over Odds: +115)

Verlander's Recent Appearances

Opponent	Date	IP	H	R	ER	K	BB
at Diamondbacks	Sep. 30	5.0	2	0	0	5	3
at Mariners	Sep. 25	8.0	3	1	1	8	1
vs. Orioles	Sep. 18	6.0	8	3	3	5	1
vs. Athletics	Sep. 12	7.0	8	5	5	7	0
at Rangers	Sep. 6	7.0	4	2	1	6	1

Ober has been named the starter for the Twins and will make his first start this season.
The right-hander is making his first start of the year. The 28-year-old did not make an appearance on the mound last season.
The Astros rank fourth in MLB with a .259 batting average this season. They have a team slugging percentage that ranks sixth in the league (.437) and 222 home runs.