The Astros and Rangers finish the Arlington leg of the ALCS Friday afternoon starting at 5 PM EDT. It’s a rematch of game one as Justin Verlander faces Jordan Montgomery. Verlander stands 1-1 in his two post-season starts in 2023. It’s been bend, don’t break for the veteran great. In 12 2/3 innings he’s walked five, but stuck out eleven and allowed just one home run. That’s good for a 1.42 ERA. Montgomery owns a 2.08 ERA in three starts this post-season. He got roughed up a bit in the ALDS, but pitched a combined 13 1/3 shutout innings in the Wild Card and LCS rounds.

At 8 PM EDT, the Phillies and Diamondbacks play game four of the NLCS. Cristopher Sanchez faces Joe Mantiply. Sanchez makes his first post-season appearance. In his third season in the majors, Sanchez greatly reduced his walks, issuing just sixteen free passes in 99 1/3 innings. That helped him to a 3.44 ERA. Mantiply serves as an opener, pitching three innings in his three starts this season. He allowed three hits and one run in that role. So far in the post-season he allowed three runs, three hits, and three walks in three innings. Not a bad poker hand.

Enjoy!