Verlander will start Game 1 of the ALCS against Boston on Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Verlander will pitch Saturday's series opener on a few extra days of rest after earning the win in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Indians on Friday. Manager A.J. Hinch confirmed that Gerrit Cole will follow Verlander in the rotation during the team's two-game set in Boston. Barring a sweep, Verlander will likely be back on the mound for Game 5 next Wednesday. In his one start against the Red Sox during the regular season, Verlander allowed two earned runs on three hits and a pair of walks while striking out six in six innings June 2.