The Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros meet Friday in Game 1 of the MLB World Series action from Minute Maid Park. This will be Game 1 in a best-of-seven playoffs’ series. The Phillies dispatched the Padres in five games during their league championship series. As for Houston, they swept the Yankees in four games during the American League series.

Philadelphia has had a long road to get to this World Series matchup. The Phillies took out the Cardinals in two games during the Wild Card, then dispatched the Braves in four games. Philadelphia didn’t have too much trouble with the Padres either, winning four games to one.

For the starter job in Game 1 of the World Series, the Phillies are going with Aaron Nola. In three starts this postseason Nola is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA and 18 Ks in 17.1 innings.

Over on the Astros’ side, their playoffs run began with a Division Series versus the Mariners. Houston took that one in a three-game sweep. The well-rested Astros kept it rolling against the Yankees in the ALCS, winning all four games 4-2, 3-2, 5-0 and 6-5.

As starting pitcher for Friday’s opener, the Astros look like they’ll be sending out Justin Verlander. In two starts this postseason Verlander is 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA and 14 Ks in 10.0 innings.

The Phillies are 4-0 in their last four in game one of a series and 6-1 in their last seven overall. Philadelphia is 23-9 in their last 32 Friday games.

Meanwhile, the Astros are 38-13 in their last 51 overall and 79-28 in the last 107 after an off day. Houston is 42-15 in their last 57 at home. 

PICK: I’m probably staying with Houston. Verlander had some trouble versus the Mariners in his first postseason game this year (4.0 innings; six earned) but he bounced back well October 19 versus the Yankees with one earned in 6.0 innings on three hits, one walk and 11 strikeouts. As for Nola, he’s coming off a bad start against Philly (4.2 innings; six earned; seven hits) but prior to that he had 12.2 postseason innings going with out an earned run. Nola should do pretty well here also but I still like the Houston offense to find some production in Game 1 and bag the victory.