MLB Probable Pitchers for Friday, October 28 (Who's Starting in Game 1 of the World Series?)

It was always going to be Justin Verlander on the mound for Game 1 of the World Series in Houston. Now, we finally know who the 39-year old is going up against.

Right-hander Aaron Nola gets the call in Friday's opener, as both the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies appear to have their Game 1 starters for this year's Fall Classic.

Here's how the oddsmakers have the first matchup projected:

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Probable Pitchers (Game 1)

• Phillies: Aaron Nola - RHP (2-1, 3.12 ERA)
• Astros: Justin Verlander - RHP (1-0, 6.30 ERA)

Justin Verlander vs. Aaron Nola: Which Game 1 Starting Pitcher is the Best Bet?

Verlander is the projected American League Cy Young favorite this year after another monster campaign during the regular season. The longtime veteran in his 17th Major League season went 18-4 with the Astros with a 1.75 ERA to lead all of baseball.

In the postseason, however, he's been a bit more up and down. Granted, the sample size is just two games, but Verlander still owns an ERA north of 6 despite a dominant performance vs. the Yankees in Game 1 of the ALCS; striking out 11 while only allowing one run through six.

He's also had his fair share of rough moments pitching in the World Series as well.

Meanwhile, Phillies starter Aaron Nola also had a terrific regular season that was vastly under-appreciated. The 29-year old led all pitchers this year in Fangraphs' wins-above-replacement, or fWAR, but still finished below .500 this season at 11-13.

Nola pitched 205 innings with a 3.25 ERA, averaging 10.32 strikeouts per nine innings. While Verlander's regular season ERA was a run and a half better than Nola's, their advanced metrics show both pitchers were actually more similar than expected. Verlander's Fielding Independent Pitching, or FIP ended up at 2.49, while Nola's was 2.58.

In expected ERA (xERA), the two were nearly identical as well, with Verlander finishing slightly ahead of Nola: 2.66 to 2.74.

Before Game 2 of the NLCS, Nola's first two outings were outstanding, shutting out the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. With both pitchers nearly identical in their peripherals, I like the value on the board with Philly to hand the Astros their first loss of the playoffs this Friday.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.