The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros finished the 2023 regular season with eerily similar numbers, so it’s no surprise that Game 1 of the American League Championship between the two was nail-bitingly close. 

Ultimately, Rangers starter Jordan Montgomery outdueled future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander, lifting Texas to a 2-0 victory in the ALCS opener. A free agent to be this offseason, Montgomery may have added a few zeroes to his next contract with his performance on Sunday night. 

The 30-year-old pitched a gem, scattering five hits and striking out six through 6.1 innings. Montgomery’s standout performance helped him become the first Rangers pitcher to post multiple scoreless starts in the postseason of six innings or more, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Montgomery shut out the Baltimore Orioles through seven innings in Game 1 of the American League wild-card series. 

Meanwhile, the Rangers offense did just enough against Verlander to get the win. Verlander, making his MLB-record 14th career Game 1 start, was sharp, allowing six hits and two earned runs, striking out five over 6.2 innings. 

However, when the Rangers needed a clutch hit, they got it.