HOUSTON — The Houston Astros will start their playoff run on Tuesday.
The first two games of the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners will be afternoon games at Minute Maid Park.
Game 1: The first game of the ALDS will begin at 2:37 p.m.
The team has announced that Justin Verlander will start for the Astros in Game 1. According to the Astros' website, the Mariners are likely to start Logan Gilbert.
Dusty Baker said Framber Valdez will start Game 2 and Lance McCullers gets the ball in Game 3.
Game 2: The second ALDS game will start at 2:37 p.m. Thursday.
Game 3: in Seattle, 3:07 p.m. Saturday
Game 4 (if necessary): in Seattle, 2:07 p.m. Sunday
Game 5 (if necessary): in Houston, 4:07 p.m.
Astros and Mariners are familiar foes
The Astros and the Mariners know each other well, both being members of the American League West. They faced each other 19 times this season, with the Astros winning 12 of those games. Houston finished the season 16 games ahead of Seattle.
The Astros have been regulars in the postseason in recent years, going to the ALCS in each of the last five seasons. In three of those years, they made it to the World Series, winning it all in 2017. This is Seattle's first trip to the postseason in 21 years.
Houston had the best record in the American League, earning them a bye in the first round. Seattle made it to the ALDS by sweeping the Blue Jays in the best-of-three wildcard round.