Rogers' 10* ALCS Game 1 TOP TICKET
(MLB) Houston vs. Boston,
Money Line: -116.00 Boston (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: Houston sends 35 year old Justin Verlander to the hill in Game of the ALCS, while Boston turns to 29-year old Chris Sale. It's "revenge time" for Boston, which was knocked out of last year's ALDS by the eventual champion Astros.

The pitchers: Verlander gave up two runs over 5.1 innings in Game 1 of the ALDS. Overall he posted a 2.52 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 214 innings this season. He's 5-5 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.12 WHIP lifetime against Boston.

Sale gave up two runs off five hits over six innings in a 5-4 win over the Yanks in the ALDS. He's 5-2 with a 1.83 ERA and 0.76 WHIP lifetime against the Astros and he was 12-4 with a 2.11 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in the regular season.

The pick: Take it for what you will, but Houston is a sub-par 9-12 (-4.2 units) this year already on the road when the money line is set between +125 and -125, while Boston is 88-39 (+32.2 units) against right-handed starters this season. Look for Sale to defend his home field and lay this reasonable price.