Astros' Valdez starting Game 1 of ALCS vs. Snell, Rays

Game 1 of the ALCS will feature a pair of southpaws toeing the rubber.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker announced Framber Valdez will start Sunday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Jake Kaplan of The Athletic.

Former Cy Young winner Blake Snell will take the mound for the Rays. Manager Kevin Cash confirmed Snell would start Game 1 shortly after Tampa Bay eliminated the New York Yankees on Friday night, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com.

Valdez will be making his second start of the postseason. In Game 2 of the ALDS, he limited the Oakland Athletics to a pair of runs on five hits over seven innings while striking out four. He also tossed five shutout frames in relief during Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Minnesota Twins.

The 26-year-old has never faced the Rays.

Snell, who owns a 3.38 ERA this postseason, warmed up in the ninth inning of Friday's game but didn't enter. He started Game 1 of the ALDS and took the loss, allowing four earned runs in five innings.

The 27-year-old faced the Astros three times in last year's Division Series, including a pair of relief appearances. Snell gave up just one run over those games but lost his one start.

Baker also announced Houston will start right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. in Game 2, according to Bleacher Report's Scott Miller. The Rays have yet to name a starter for that contest.