Astros manager AJ Hinch on Wednesday announced the team's pitching rotation for the ALDS against the Rays, with Justin Verlander tabbed for Game 1, Gerrit Cole slated for Game 2 and Zack Greinke scheduled for Game 3.
“Not really news breaking when it comes to those three,” Hinch said Wednesday, per MLB.com. “I’m sure everybody could have predicted how we were going to go, and I wasn’t going to commit to a Game 4 [starter] quite yet. All those guys are prepared and ready to go.”
Hinch added the Astros will get a boost with the return of shortstop Carlos Correa, who is expected to play Friday after missing the final week of the regular season due to a sore back.
Correa had been limited to 75 games this season because of injury, with a broken rib sidelining him this summer before his back problems flared up last month. However, he didn't appear to have any trouble hitting, throwing and fielding ground balls on Wednesday.
“He looks great and is moving around in normal fashion, and I expect him to play on Friday,” Hinch said.
Correa, 25, hit .279 with 21 home runs and 59 RBIs this season.
The Astros are set to host the Rays in the ALDS opener at 2:05 p.m. ET Friday.