Charlie Morton to start Game 7 of ALCS for Astros

It will come down to Charlie Morton against CC Sabathia in Game 7 of the ALCS Saturday with a trip to the World Series on the line.

Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch announced after his team’s 7-1 win over the New York Yankees in Game 6 that Morton will start Game 7 for the team.

According to what was said on FS1’s telecast during Game 6, Houston had three options for Game 7. They considered Brad Peacock, Lance McCullers and Morton.

Peacock pitched in relief on Friday. McCullers will only have three days of rest between starts for Game 7 on Saturday. That made Morton the best candidate of the group.

Morton went 4.1 innings of two-run ball in the Astros’ series-clinching Game 4 win over the Red Sox in the ALDS. He was hit hard in the team’s Game 3 ALCS loss to the Yankees, as he allowed seven runs over 3.2 innings. Hinch is clearly hoping Morton will give them more in Game 7.

You can bet Hinch will have a quick hook in Game 7 as Houston will have all their pitchers available. Hinch may even check in on Verlander to see if he can pitch an inning or two if needed.

Whichever team that wins the game will have two full days of rest before Game 1 of the World Series, which will be helpful to pitching staffs that could become overworked.