Astros at Rangers
The Houston Astros begin the defense of the first world championship in franchise history when they visit the American League West-rival Texas Rangers on Thursday afternoon for the first contest of a season-opening four-game series. Making their second World Series appearance in October - and first as an AL team, the Astros outlasted the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games, winning the decisive contest on the road for the organization's first crown since joining the majors in 1962 as the Colt .45s.
Reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve is primed to provide Houston with another strong season as he looks to win the batting title for the third straight year and fourth time in five campaigns. The club also expects big things from Carlos Correa, who belted a career-high 24 home runs in 2017 for his third 20-homer effort in as many major-league seasons despite missing a chunk of time with a thumb injury. Texas went just 2-7 against Houston at home last year en route to a fourth-place finish in the AL West after winning back-to-back division titles. The Rangers are hoping a pair of former Cy Young Award winners can recapture their past magic and help strengthen the team's pitching staff, as the 44-year-old Bartolo Colon will start against Oakland on Monday while Tim Lincecum is being considered to fill the closer's role, although he will begin the year on the disabled list due to a blister on his right middle finger.
TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, ESPN, AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston), FS Southwest (Texas)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Justin Verlander (2017: 15-8, 3.36 ERA) vs. Rangers LH Cole Hamels (2017: 11-6, 4.20)
Verlander was sensational after being acquired from Detroit on Aug. 31, going 5-0 with a 1.06 ERA in five regular-season starts before posting a 4-1 record with one complete game and a 2.21 ERA in six postseason appearances (five starts). The 35-year-old former AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner is excited to be making his 10th Opening Day start in 11 years, telling the team's website, "It's something you always cherish. ... Everybody is so high on expectations and so excited about the upcoming season, the unknown, what's going to happen with their team. It's a unique atmosphere." Verlander is 11-6 with a 3.02 ERA and one complete game in 20 career turns against Texas.
Hamels will get the ball in a season opener for the fourth time in his career and second as a member of the Rangers. The 34-year-old former World Series MVP has excelled at Globe Life Park during his career, going 17-4 with one complete game in 35 starts after winning seven of nine decisions in 12 turns last season. Hamels owns a 7-4 record and 4.19 ERA in 16 career starts versus the Astros.
WALK-OFFS
1. Astros OF prospect Kyle Tucker will begin the season in the minors despite hitting .409 with five homers and 21 RBIs this spring.
2. Texas LHP Martin Perez starts the year on the DL with lower back stiffness.
3. Houston will begin the season without 1B Yuli Gurriel, who is recovering from left hand surgery and may avoid a stint on the DL but will have to serve a five-game suspension regardless for making an offensive gesture toward former Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Yu Darvish in the World Series.