Astros power up behind JV, grab 1-0 ALDS lead

The Astros’ quest for a repeat World Series title got off to a fast start, as Houston rode four homers and a strong Justin Verlander start to a win over Cleveland in Game 1 of the American League Division Series. Verlander and Indians starter Corey Kluber traded hitless frames over the first three innings, but Alex Bregman broke through with a homer to lead off the fourth, and George Springer and Jose Altuve went deep back to back off the Tribe ace in the fifth. Verlander kept Cleveland out of the hit column until the sixth, when the Indians plated a pair and chased the starter. Martin Maldonado added Houston’s fourth homer as part of a two-run seventh inning.