ALCS 2017: Astros to send out Charlie Morton in Game 3 against the Yankees

The Houston Astros had their two of their four starting pitchers set for the mandatory (minimum number of...whatever) games of the 2017 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees.

Dallas Keuchel will start in game one opposite Masahiro Tanaka in a rematch of the 2015 American League Wild Card Game. After making his first-ever relief appearance, Justin Verlander will start game two opposite Luis Severino.

The Yankees had already annouced their starter, CC Sabathia for game three. But A.J. Hinch waited until Friday to make his move. If he were honest, Hinch had only two choices: Brad Peacock or Charlie Morton. He went with Morton.

Morton, 33, is 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career starts at Yankee Stadium. He allowed four earned runs over 5 ²⁄₃ innings in one start against the Yankees on the road this season.

Overall, Morton is 4-4 with a 4.17 ERA in nine road starts this season. But he is coming of a strong start in game 4 against the Red Sox, he allowed two runs on seven hits over 4 1/3. In a start in which he frankly looked stronger as the game went along.