Astros vs. Red Sox Game 1: Prediction, Betting Odds, Starting Pitchers For Saturday's ALCS

The American League Championship Series features two highly accomplished clubs, as the 108-win Boston Red Sox host the 103-win Houston Astros at Fenway Park on Saturday in Game 1.

The matchup is truly a battle of elite teams, as this marks the first time two 100-win teams will meet in a league-championship series since the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals in 1977.

In the regular season, the Red Sox scored more runs (876) than any other club, while the Astros were sixth with 797. Houston had the best ERA (3.11) in baseball, while Boston finished with the seventh-best ERA (3.75).

The two clubs met in the 2017 postseason, with Houston prevailing in the best-of-five series, 3-1. The Astros would go on to win their first World Series.

Both clubs send superstar pitchers to the mound to open the series. Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11) goes up against veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (16-9, 2.52). Sale and Verlander are both seven-time All-Stars.

Sale is looking to overcome some poor performances in the postseason. The 29-year-old has a career postseason record of 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA. Verlander, on the other hand, is 12-6 with a 3.08 ERA in the postseason.

Game 1 promises to be a pitchers duel, as both Sale and Verlander have performed well against the bats they will face Saturday.

In seven career regular-season starts against the Astros, Sale owns a 5-2 record with a 1.83 ERA. However, he allowed four earned runs over six innings in his only start against Houston this season. In 18 career regular-season starts against Boston, Verlander has a 5-5 record with a 2.89 ERA. In his lone start against the Red Sox this season, he allowed just two earned runs over six innings.

In 2018, Sale has humiliated left-handed batters, who had just a .424 on-base plus slugging percentage. But he will mostly face right-handed batters like Jose Altuve, George Springer and Alex Bregman. All three players posted strong numbers against the Cleveland Indians in the AL Division Series.

How MVP candidate Mookie Betts performs against Verlander might be the most crucial matchup. Betts is hitless against the 35-year-old in 13 at-bats.

The Red Sox are favored at -115, compared to the Astros at +105, according to Westgate Sportsbook. The over/under is 7.5 runs.

Prediction: Don't be surprised if both starters give up plenty of hits, but work their way out of jams. The Sox are at home and have the better lineup, but Verlander and the bullpen might simply be too good. This should be a close one.

Astros over Red Sox, 3-2