ALCS: Astros Force Game 7 As Justin Verlander, Jose Altuve Lead Houston To 7-1 Win

Players of the Day for Friday, October 20, 2017

American League

Verlander: 7 IP, 5 H, 0 ER

Justin Verlander stymied the Yankees for the second time in a week, blanking New York on five hits over seven innings as the Astros forced a game seven showdown in the AL Championship Series with a 7-1 win in Houston.

Verlander battled with Yankee starter, Luis Severino, until the Astros broke through with three runs in the fifth inning, keyed by Jose Altuve's two-run, two-out single to left field. Altuve also added a solo home run leading off the eighth inning, as the Astros plated four runs in the frame, blowing the game wide open.

Altuve: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI

Verlander, who fanned eight and walked one in the win, is 4-0 in the 2017 post-season. Against the Yankees, he is 2-0, allowing one run on ten hits in 16 innings, including his complete game, 2-1 victory in game two. He's struck out 21 Yankee batters over that span, including Aaron Judge four times in the two games.

Three-time AL batting champion, Altuve, is batting .405 in the post-season, with four homers and seven RBI. Since game two, Altuve had gone hitless against the Yankees before breaking out on Friday. The home run was his first in the ALCS.

Houston's win brings up game seven on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the World Series to face the Dodgers. Game time is 8:08 pm ET at Houston's Minute Maid Park.

National League

There were no National League games on Friday as the Dodgers captured the NL flag on Thursday, defeating the Cubs, four games to one in the NLCS. Los Angeles awaits their American League opponent in the World Series, which begins Tuesday, October 24.