The Houston Astros have released their game one lineup for Game 1 of the World Series. Game 1 will take place on Monday, October 15th at 8:09 p.m. ET on FOX. Starting pitchers for Game 1 are LHP Charlie Morton and RHP Framber Valdez. You can view the lineup below. You can also find information about game day coverage and broadcasting.
Houston Astros start Charlie Morton
In his first World Series start, the Houston Astros are starting Charlie Morton in the circle. Morton has faced the Astros three times in his career. The Astros last faced Morton in the 2020 ALCS. Morton threw five scoreless innings in the series opener in 2020 and then struck out Jose Altuve in the sixth. However, Atlanta scored six runs in Morton’s last outing at Minute Maid Park, and the Astros went on to win the game 4-2.
Morton, who turns 38 in December, has made 16 postseason starts and 17 total. He has a 5.17 ERA and a 2.79 WHIP. In 2017, Morton was the Cy Young Award winner and tied for the most wins in a single season. In 2018, he had a 14-game winning streak and pitched in thirty-three games, including the playoffs. In the NLDS against the Brewers, he lost in Game 1, but got the win in Game 4 and did not get the decision in the NLCS.
On Thursday, the Astros announced their lineup for Game 1 of the World Series. Charlie Morton will start for Atlanta against the Astros. Morton had pitched well in the NLCS and had the opportunity to face the Dodgers in Game 7 against them. The Astros also named lefty Framber Valdez to the starting rotation after he pitched well in the ALCS against the Red Sox.
Morton is an in-kind replacement for Nathan Eovaldi, who pitched well for the Rays in 2017 and 2018. However, the Rays have not been a fan of his last two seasons, but many Astros still have fond memories of him. All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve was asked if he thinks Morton is a character.
The Astros have a three-day rest period between clinching the AL pennant and Game 1 of the World Series. The Astros’ bullpen was terrific in the ALCS, posting a 3.03 ERA over 12 scoreless frames. They only allowed five hits while striking out 13 batters in the process. After Morton’s injury, Atlanta’s bullpen was solid. Jake Odorizzi and Ryan Pressly were both superb.
Atlanta starts Max Fried
The Atlanta Braves have announced the start of Max Fried, who will make his World Series debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fried has been the Braves’ de facto ace during the regular season. He struggled in the NLCS, giving up seven runs in five innings, but was able to keep his team in the game. Fried has never lost consecutive games, but will be hoping to bounce back against the Dodgers in Game 6.
Fried has been electric during the 2021 regular season. However, his recent outings have not been that good. After a 2-0 start against the Astros in game two, Fried has allowed eight runs and 16 hits in three starts this October. The Astros have the best cumulative eye in baseball, and Fried’s struggles could make them vulnerable in game six. In addition, Fried is a big favorite to win game six, but a loss could send Atlanta to Game 7.
The Atlanta Braves’ rotation has an interesting makeup. Fried is the staff co-ace, and his role was heightened after Charlie Morton injured his right leg. Fried has 16 career postseason games under his belt. He started eight games and appeared in eight in the bullpen in the 2018 and 2019 postseasons. In the 2021 postseason, he started eight games. His career postseason record is 1-3 with a 4.53 ERA.
The Atlanta Braves have made a few moves to their pitching staff. They have added Charlie Morton to their starting rotation, a veteran of big games. Morton’s name will appear on the World Series lineups, although he will likely face a veteran pitcher. Besides, Fried will likely get the ball in Game 2.
Game 1 broadcasts
Major League Baseball’s 2021 World Series kicks off Tuesday in Houston. After winning the AL pennant in 2017 and the NL pennant last year, the Houston Astros will play the Atlanta Braves in Game 1. The AL champion Astros will look to win their third World Series title in five years. The Braves, meanwhile, will be seeking their first title since 1995. Houston will send veteran righty Framber Valdez to the mound against Atlanta’s Charlie Morton. Game one starts at 7:09 p.m. eastern/9:09 p.m. Central).
NBC’s coverage of the Series started in 1968, with Tony Kubek reporting from the stands. After that, he was promoted to the booth and served as the network’s color analyst. The first former player to work in the booth was Joe Garagiola. NBC also skipped its pregame show, “Return to Peyton Place,” in order to focus on the game. Game 5 was played on Friday.
In Game 5, the Astros’ starter was Framber Valdez, who allowed one run on three hits and one walk over five innings. Despite that, his postseason numbers are still below 2020, which was the first year that MLB broadcasted Game 1 on television. However, the Astros’ Game 1 broadcasts were much more popular than those of the previous two seasons. In fact, the Astros’ first-round matchup against the Houston Astros was the most watched game in the ALCS since 2000.
The 1990 World Series broadcast was also a landmark, with CBS winning the national Nielsen ratings for the first time. The broadcast had an overall rating of 24.0, with a share of 39. It was also the last game in the series, and no other World Series game has achieved the same ratings since. And while CBS had the right to air the game, the Yankees’ radio broadcasts were also on TV. In the 1991 World Series, WCBS inherited the radio rights to the Yankees.
The broadcasts are available in 4K, allowing viewers to watch the game on their own devices. FOX NOW, FOX Sports apps, and select partners, including Xfinity and Fubo TV, are available in 4K. The streaming service also offers a seven-day free trial period. Besides Fox and NBC, Fubo TV, and YouTube TV, can also be used to view the broadcast.
Braves start Charlie Morton
Atlanta Braves pitcher Charlie Morton is regarded as a love-hate figure in the postseason. But, the left-hander clinched the NL East title on Oct. 1, the day of Game 4. While many might take a jibe at this, Morton has pitched better in the postseason than the majority of his peers. In the World Series opener on Tuesday, Morton is slated to face Houston.
Both teams are expected to pitch well in this series. The Astros have a strong starting pitching rotation. The Astros have used the same starting lineup through the playoffs, with the exception of Jake Meyers’ injury. Charlie Morton and Framber Valdez will start in Game 1.
Despite a lack of experience in the World Series, Morton has pitched well in the postseason. Morton pitched for the Astros twice in the last two seasons, combining for 185.2 innings and a 3.34 ERA. In the postseason, Morton has pitched well, as his curveball has been effective at generating whiffs and chasing runners.
After the injury, Atlanta will likely have to start another pitcher in Game 1. Despite being a more complete team, the Braves’ pitching rotation could be the difference in the series. The team has multiple 6-hole players, as well as a number of power righties. In Game one, Atlanta will need to be a bit lucky as a result.
After Charlie Morton left the game after getting injured in the first game, the Astros’ chances of winning the World Series are grim. Morton had thrown 16 pitches before injuring himself and was forced to leave the game. He did, however, retire the last three batters, but was forced to leave due to pain. The injury, which he suffered while throwing a 2-2 curveball, forced Atlanta to look for a replacement.
After pitching five innings, Charlie Morton has struck out nine in nine innings. The Brewers’ only run against Morton was in the ninth inning, when Omar Narvaez singled with two outs. The Braves’ only other baserunner was Vidal Brujan. Charlie Morton finished with four and a third inning. He finished with five strikeouts and a walk, and six pitches to hit.
