Framber Valdez was outstanding in his last turn against the Boston Red Sox and will get the nod tonight for Houston in Game 1 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park. The southpaw allowed just 1 run on 3 hits over 8 innings and the Astros went on to crush the Red Sox, 9-1. Ex-Astro Charlie Morton will be toeing the rubber for the Atlanta Braves. In 3 postseason starts this year, Morton is 0-1 with a 3.77 ERA. Atlanta has struggled against lefties in interleague play, going 3-11 in their last 14, and are 0-5 in their last 5 trips to Houston. The Astros enter Game 1 on fire, winning 3 straight against Boston to reach the Fall Classic, and outscored them 23-3 over that span. Houston is 6-1 in their last 7 playoff home games and 5-1 in their last 6 interleague games at Minute Maid Park.
TONIGHT’S PICK: HOUSTON ASTROS