The Houston Astros prevailed 2-1 in a pitchers duel Friday night in the opener of the American League Championship Series, and I think they'll take a 2-0 lead today with Justin Verlander on the mound.

Verlander has been outstanding since coming over from Detroit, going 7-0 with a 1.48 ERA in seven games (six starts). This will be the first meeting of the season with the Yankees who hand the ball to Luis Severino. He has allowed six runs on eight hits and a pair of walks in 7 1/3 frames in his last two outings and Houston has reached him for nine runs on 15 hits in 7 2/3 innings on the season.

The Yankees have a losing record on the road (41-44) and the Astros are 12-2 in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. I like the umpire angle too with the home team 8-1 in Hunter Wendelstedt's last nine games behind home plate (Houston 24-8 in his last 32 games behind home plate here at Minute Maid Park).

My selection is a 10* play on Houston Astros.