HOUSTON -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch tabbed veteran right-hander Charlie Morton to start Monday's Game 3 of the American League Championship Series presented by Camping World against the Yankees in New York. He will oppose Yanks lefty Carsten Sabathia.
Morton started the Astros' series-clinching Game 4 win over the Red Sox in the AL Division Series presented by Doosan. In his first postseason start since he was a Pirate in 2013, Morton went 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.
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Morton, who went 14-7 with a 3.62 ERA in 25 regular-season starts, beat the Yankees in his only start against them this season, going 5 2/3 innings and allowing four runs with 10 strikeouts May 14 at Yankee Stadium.
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"He's really good, first off," Hinch said. "By committing to Morton in Game 3 -- he pitched very well at Yankee Stadium the last time he faced these guys -- he pitched well in Boston, in one of the most crazy environments imaginable, and it frees me up, in particular, to use [Brad Peacock] in a versatile way for these first couple of games."
Hinch said Peacock, who started Game 3 of the ALDS, would be available in the bullpen for Game 1 of the ALCS. Right-hander Lance McCullers was unlikely to pitch in Game 1, but would be available out of the bullpen in Game 2, Hinch said.
Peacock, McCullers and Collin McHugh are all candidates to start Tuesday's Game 4 in New York.