Verlander, Brantley power Astros to Opening Day victory

Justin Verlander mentioned a few days prior to the first game of the season that he was excited for Opening Day, despite how long he's been in the league -- "It’s a tradition that goes back to the beginning of time in baseball. No matter how many times I do it, each one is unique and special. I’m honored and extremely happy to have that chance.”

Verlander certainly didn't look rusty in his first start of the season against the Seattle Mariners, allowing only two runs through six innings to go along with seven strikeouts. He would earn the win on the night as the Astros would go on to win 8-2.

Despite allowing two solo home runs (a common problem Verlander has faced in past seasons), Verlander was thoroughly in command of his start, requiring only fourteen pitches to get through two innings, and ending his outing after 73 pitches.

Verlander wasn't the only older player to leave his mark on the game. Michael Brantley drove in three of the eight Astros runs on the night with a three-run homer off of reliever Zac Grotz. His hit was the highlight of a fifth inning that featured five runs scored, which included RBI hits from Alex Bregman and José Altuve.

The Astros would go on to score two more times, once in the sixth and again in the seventh. Catcher Martín Maldonado proved to be the unlikely spark for the Astros, going 2-4 while driving in two runs.

The Astros play again tomorrow at 3:10 PM CT. Lance McCullers Jr. will make his first start in almost two years against Taijuan Walker.