The Yankees have no answer for the ageless Astros ace.

HOUSTON — The Yankees' path to the World Series depends not only on the Houston Astros but more specifically on their ace, Justin Verlander. If the Yankees want to win their first American League pennant since 2009, they may need to find a way to beat Verlander -- a potential A.L. Cy Young Award winner -- at least once this October. Verlander, 39, may go down as one of the best starting pitchers of all time. A sweep of the Seattle Mariners in the previous round allowed the Astros the luxury of strategically lining up their pitching staff to face the Yankees. With right-hander Verlander tabbed for Game 1 of Wednesday's best-of-seven AL Championship Series at Minute Maid Park, the Astros could turn to him again on regular rest for a possible Game 5.

Raiders' Davante Adams apologizes to man he shook after loss to Chiefs.

The Yankees have no answer for the ageless Astros ace.

Sure, the Yankees could lose both games with Verlander starting and still win the series, but that would make the A.L. Their margin for error is significantly reduced in this showdown between the top two seeds. . In their first crack at Verlander, the Yankees took possession but couldn't knock him down. He allowed one run and struck out six in 11 innings, leading the Astros' bats to explode in a 4-2 win.

"He's not only physically strong, which you can see, but he's mentally strong," said Astros manager Dusty Baker, who added that Verlander had 80 to 103 pitches a game. . It was better than before. "This guy, he's got mental toughness. When he's down and out and it looks like you've got him in trouble, this guy, he can dial it up."

Verlander got off to a slow start, but the score was tied 1-1 when he left the game. In the bottom half of the sixth inning, though, Astros first baseman Yuli Gorrell and center fielder Chas McCormick each hit solo home runs off Yankees right-handed reliever Clark Schmidt. An inning later, Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena hit a solo shot to right-hander Frankie Montas, who was making his first appearance since returning from a shoulder injury last month.