ACES ABOUNDJustin Verlander and the World Series champion Houston Astros face Red Sox lefty Chris Sale in a marquee matchup to start the AL Championship Series at Fenway Park.The All-Stars met twice last year in AL Division Series. They started opposite each other in the opener http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-marcell-ozuna-jersey , then both worked in relief during the middle innings of Game 4.Verlander (16-9, 2.52 ERA) led the AL with 290 strikeouts and beat Cleveland in the ALDS last week. Sale (12-4, 2.11) started and relieved vs. the Yankees in the ALDS.Also familiar with each other: Red Sox manager Alex Cora and the Astros. He was Houston’s bench coach last year during the team’s run to its first title.MILES AND MILESWade Miley was a journeyman left-hander when he signed a minor league contract with the Brewers at the start of spring training. He injured his oblique early in the season, spent a lot of time in Double-A and hoped he’d have a chance to contribute.Miley came back Paul DeJong Jersey , delivered and now gets to start Game 2 of the NL Championship Series as the Brewers try to take a 2-0 lead over the Dodgers at Miller Park. Hyun-Jin Ryu pitches for Los Angeles.REMEMBER ME?J.D. Martinez wants to thank the Astros — not get back at them — for releasing him when he was struggling. The Red Sox slugger says his growing pains in Houston taught him “how to fail,” a lesson he credits with transforming him into an MVP candidate who helped Boston win a team-record 108 games.Martinez made his big league debut for Houston in 2011, driving in 28 runs during his first full month in the majors. After playing part time the next two years, he was 26 and batting .167 in the spring of 2014 when the Astros released him lex Reyes Jersey , preferring to give the at-bats to top prospect George Springer.Martinez landed with Detroit that season and by 2015 he was an All-Star. He totaled 45 home runs last year with the Tigers and Arizona, then hit .330 with 43 homers and a major league-high 130 RBIs this season. Start your morning with some of the best Astros links around"Astros NewsBregman’s extension will let the team pay him a little extra now to avoid paying a lot extra later (FanGraphs)It also gives the Astros a clearer view of where their future lies (The Athletic, $$$)As well as a player determined to be a success on and off the field (Sports Illustrated)The crew at MLB Tonight weighed in on that shiny new extension as well (MLB Video)An extension that may have been unexpected but certainly wasn’t unwarranted (House of Houston)The rains down in Florida haven’t slowed the pitchers, who are still getting their work in around the weather (Astros.com)Yesterday showed us a preview of what will likely be the regular top-of-the-lineup for the 2019 season (Houston Chronicle)Which includes Michael Brantley Evan Longoria Jersey , who’s letting his play on the field do the talking for him (Texas Sports Nation)Verlander recently had a sit-down where he discussed how he balances parenting with being a pitcher (FOX News)Around the LeagueIchiro will call it a career after the conclusion of this morning’s game in Japan (MLB.com)Seems like Eloy Jimenez and the White Sox are looking to get in on the extension action as well (MLB.com)The Rays certainly did by signing Rookie Brandon Lowe to a six-year, $24 million extension (FanGraphs)Mookie Betts decidedly did not get in on it as he turned down a $200 million extension offer (MLB.com)Speaking of the Red Sox, will complacency be enough for them to repeat? (The Ringer)The concept of Opening Day has been a little bit all over the map in recent years (Forbes)One solution to the player salary issues going on right now could be to simply expand the league (Red Reporter)