Montgomery outduels Verlander, Rangers blank Astros in ALCS opener

Texas Rangers pitcher Jordan Montgomery (52) throws during the first inning of Game 1 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros in the 2023 MLB playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Montgomery outduels Justin Verlander, Rangers blank Astros in ALCS opener

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/15/23

The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros finished the 2023 regular season with eerily similar numbers, so it's no surprise that Game 1 of the American League Championship between the two was nail-bitingly close.

Ultimately, Rangers starter Jordan Montgomery outdueled future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, lifting Texas to a 2-0 victory in the ALCS opener. A free agent to be this offseason, Montgomery may have added a few zeroes to his next contract with his performance on Sunday night.

The 30-year-old pitched a gem, scattering five hits and striking out six through 6.1 innings. Montgomery's standout performance helped him become the first Rangers pitcher to post multiple scoreless starts in the postseason of six innings or more, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Montgomery shut out the Baltimore Orioles through seven innings in Game 1 of the American League wild-card series.

Meanwhile, the Rangers offense did just enough against Verlander to get the win. Verlander, making his MLB-record 14th career Game 1 start, was sharp, allowing six hits and two earned runs, striking out five over 6.2 innings.

However, when the Rangers needed a clutch hit, they got it.

You oughta know Leo. #GoAndTakeIt pic.twitter.com/ubqW8VhheF
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) October 16, 2023

Rangers catcher Jonah Heim got Texas on the board, driving in left fielder Evan Carter from second on a one-out RBI single. The score would remain 1-0 until the top of the fifth when an unlikely player took Verlander deep.

After Verlander had retired seven Rangers in a row, centerfielder Leody Taveras homered, driving a hanging 1-2 slider over the right-centerfield wall, giving Texas a two-run cushion.

After review, Jose Altuve was ruled out after not retouching second base

: FOX pic.twitter.com/BjDiLY8jTZ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 16, 2023

The base paths stayed quiet for both sides before Astros shortstop Jose Altuve led off the eighth inning with a walk, leading to a significant turning point in Game 1.

Third baseman Alex Bregman followed Altuve, driving a pitch from Josh Sborz deep to center, which Taveras snagged with a remarkable leaping grab at the wall. On the play, Altuve stopped at second base and failed to retouch before returning to first. After a challenge from the Rangers, a review ruled Altuve out, ending any potential threat.

On Monday, the Astros will host the Rangers for Game 2 at 4:37 p.m. EST., as Texas looks to take a surprising 2-0 series lead.

More must-reads: