Verlander, Cole to start Games 1, 2 of ALCS for Astros

Moments after Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Boston's starters for the first two games of the American League Championship Series, the Houston Astros countered with theirs.

Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole will start Games 1 and 2, respectively, manager A.J. Hinch announced Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Jake Kaplan.

Verlander, who kept the Cleveland Indians out of the hit column into the sixth inning in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, will start opposite Chris Sale in the series opener on Saturday.

During the regular season, Verlander made one start against the Red Sox - coming at home - and lasted six innings. He allowed two earned runs on three hits and struck out six during the outing.

Cole, who struck out 12 in Game 2 of the ALDS, will square off against Red Sox left-hander David Price the following night at Fenway Park.

In two regular-season starts against the Red Sox, Cole allowed five earned runs and 10 hits in 13 innings, while striking out 15.