Random notes after Game 1:
Houston recorded 12 hits, their 9th 10+ hit game in the postseason since the beginning of 2017.
George Springer has now hit a home run in five consecutive playoff games dating to last postseason, joining 2004 Carlos Beltran and 2015 Daniel Murphy.
Bregman's homer left his bat at 107.1mph
A list of pitchers off of whom Alex Bregman has hit a postseason home run:
-Chris Sale (x2)
-Clayton Kershaw
-Kenley Jansen
-Corey Kluber
Corey Kluber's last four postseason games: 15IP, 22H/17ER, 12K:5BB, 9HR. 10.20 ERA / 1.80 WHIP. (this shocked me).
Reddick on his role:
Last postseason, I think I got caught up in trying to be in the spotlight with these guys and try to hit the long ball. In reality, I'm the eight-hole, I'm not here to drive in runs - ironic today - but I'm not there to drive the long ball. I'm there to get on for those guys at the top of the lineup.
Verlander is now 12-6 in the postseason. Most postseason wins, MLB history:
1. Andy Pettitte: 19
2. John Smoltz: 15
3. Tom Glavine: 14
4. Roger Clemens: 12
4. Justin Verlander: 12
Houston reliever Hector Rondon, who Hinch said was "very upset" about not making the ALDS roster, did not come onto the field when he was introduced with the team's reserves before the game. He also was not on the field during the national anthem, but did join the team in the dugout for the game.
Cole on being an Astro:
You're not asked to conform to a system. You're asked to use the system to make yourself better. So, from an analytic standpoint, from a scouting report standpoint, from teammates and instructors, there's just a high level of quality here that's ahead of quite a bit of other teams.
