MLB Player News

Paxton will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Astros on Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Paxton didn't appear to be at his best in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Twins, surrendering three runs while fanning eight over 4.2 innings, but the Yankees would emerge with the victory. He'll follow Masahiro Tanaka in the rotation for the ALCS.

Cole will start Game 3 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Tuesday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Cole was the Astros' best pitcher in the ALDS against the Rays, winning both of his starts while striking out 25 batters and allowing just one run on six hits in 15.2 innings of work. He'll be pitching on normal rest for Game 3 and could return on short rest for Game 6 or full rest for Game 7 if either game is necessary.

Verlander will start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Verlander could have pitched on short rest for Game 1 on Saturday, but that didn't work out well during the ALDS, when he gave up four runs in 3.2 innings in Game 4. Zack Greinke will start Game 1 of the ALCS. Verlander lines up to start again on short rest in Game 5 on Thursday or with extra rest in Game 6 next Saturday, if either game is necessary.

Greinke will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Yankees on Saturday, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.

The Astros could use Justin Verlander on short rest, but that didn't work out too well in the ALDS. Greinke is a more-than-capable alternative, though he didn't look good in his ALDS start against the Rays, allowing six runs in 3.2 innings in Game 3.

Morton will be available out of the bullpen for Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Astros on Thursday, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager Kevin Cash confirmed that the 35-year-old will be ready to pitch in relief Thursday after throwing 93 pitches in Monday's win. In two starts this postseason, Morton has allowed two runs (one earned) on eight hits and five walks while recording 13 strikeouts in 10 innings pitched.

Verlander (1-1) allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings in a loss to Tampa Bay in Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday.

The Astros decided to start Verlander on short rest and the decision backfired, as his stuff did not look as crisp and the Rays capitalized. Tommy Pham homered in a three-run first inning and Willy Adames followed up with a long ball of his own in the fourth. "You know, the low-hanging fruit is to sit there and say this was short rest, and that's the reason why," Verlander told The Athletic. "But I don't think so. I felt good. My body felt good physically. I just didn't execute the way I needed to." If the Astros get past the Rays, Verlander will likely start Game 2 of the ALCS on Sunday.

Glasnow will start Game 5 of the ALDS at Houston on Thursday, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

The Rays lost the first two games of the series but were able to win both games in Tampa Bay to force the winner-take-all contest. Glasnow took the mound in Game 1 and gave up two runs on four hits and three walks over 4.2 innings while recording five strikeouts. The 26-year-old reached 76 pitches in that outing and should be able to have a slightly higher workload Thursday. Gerrit Cole will start the deciding game for the Astros.

Cole will start Game 5 of the ALDS against the Rays on Thursday, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The Astros were unable to secure a win in Tampa Bay after winning the first two games of the series, leaving Cole to be called upon for the winner-take-all game. The 29-year-old delivered a dominant performance in Game 2, giving up only four hits and one walk over 7.2 shutout innings while racking up 15 strikeouts. Tyler Glasnow will take the mound for the Rays.

Verlander will start Game 4 of the ALDS on Tuesday against Tampa Bay, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros likely would have preferred to save Verlander for Game 1 of the ALCS, but he'll be needed after they failed to close out the series in Game 3. Verlander will pitch on three days' rest Tuesday after tossing seven scoreless innings in Game 1 on Friday.

Odorizzi will start Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Monday, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Odorizzi hasn't pitched since Sept. 24 against Detroit, so he'll be well rested for Monday's matchup. He posted a 3.51 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with a 178:53 K:BB over 159 innings during the regular season but will face a tough New York lineup Monday.