Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that he's "encouraged" with Verlander's (shoulder) progress, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander threw another bullpen session Wednesday and evidently bounced back well a day later. The 41-year-old is being slow-played this spring after having what he described as a "hiccup" with his right shoulder during his offseason throwing program. Verlander's readiness for Grapefruit League games and Opening Day remains unclear, but he's trending in the right direction.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Friday that Verlander's (shoulder) arm is feeling good following Thursday's bullpen session, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The pitcher looked to be throwing at less than 100 percent effort in the session, but it's nonetheless a positive development that he experienced no issues a day later. By Verlander's own tally, it was the fourth time he's thrown off a mound since an offseason "hiccup" with his shoulder. It's unclear when the veteran right-hander might be ready for Grapefruit League action.

Verlander said Wednesday that he's "a couple weeks behind" schedule after his right shoulder didn't bounce back as hoped during his offseason throwing program, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander referred to his ongoing recovery as a "hiccup" rather than a setback and added that he's thrown three bullpen sessions as he ramps back up. Though Verlander seems confident the shoulder issue isn't a major concern, the veteran right-hander notably missed the first five weeks of last season with a shoulder problem that developed during spring training. The Astros haven't outlined a timeline for when Verlander might be ready to pitch in a Grapefruit League game.

Verlander will start Game 5 of the ALCS on Friday at Texas, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

An easy call here for Astros manager Dusty Baker. Verlander took the loss in Game 1 of the ALCS on Sunday at Houston, but that was mostly due to a lack of run support. The veteran right-hander has allowed only two runs while tallying 11 strikeouts through 12.2 innings (two starts) this postseason.

Verlander took the loss in Sunday's 2-0 match against the Rangers in Game 1 of the ALCS, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks across 6.2 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander had a solid performance on the losing side of a pitchers duel, yet his team could not bail him out of the 12th loss of his postseason career. The veteran right-hander was victim to an RBI single in the second inning to give the Rangers an early lead, and a fifth-inning solo home run by Leody Taveras furthered the damage. However, Verlander hasn't lost a beat in his age-40 season, tossing his seventh quality start in eight games since September. So far this postseason, Verlander has pitched to a clean 1.42 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 12.2 innings with 11 strikeouts.

Verlander will start Game 1 of the ALCS against the Rangers on Sunday in Houston, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander would have gotten the call for a potential ALDS Game 5 start against the Twins, but the Astros took care of business with a clinching Game 4 victory Wednesday at Target Field. The veteran right-hander was his usual trusty October self in Game 1 of that best-of-five series, tallying six strikeouts over six scoreless innings in a 6-4 defeat of Minnesota. He'll be on seven full days of rest leading into the opener of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series versus Texas.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Monday that Verlander is "probably not" an option to start Game 4 of the ALDS against the Twins on short rest, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houston has not yet announced a Game 4 starter, but it doesn't sound like Verlander is under consideration. Instead, Verlander would presumably be in line to take the ball in a potential Game 5. The Astros are turning to Cristian Javier in Game 3 after splitting the first two games of the series. It figures to be J.P. France or Jose Urquidy starting Game 4 for Houston after Hunter Brown was used in relief in Game 2.

Verlander will start for the Astros on Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Twins, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Astros have co-aces with Verlander and Framber Valdez, and manager Dusty Baker will go with the former for the series opener while holding the latter back for Game 2. Verlander collected a 2.73 ERA over his final five starts of the regular season for Houston. He will be pitching on six days' rest Saturday.

Verlander (13-8) allowed two hits and three walks while striking out five over five shutout innings to earn the win Saturday over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Verlander's three walks were his most in a start since he was traded from the Mets, but he still got the job done. The Astros' playoff spot was confirmed with their win and the Mariners' loss to Texas. Verlander has maintained three scoreless outings in his 11 starts with Houston, and he ends September allowing 17 runs (16 earned) over 39 innings across six starts. He's at a 3.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 144:45 K:BB in 162.1 innings over 27 regular-season starts, and it's a near certainty the right-hander will start in a playoff game.

Verlander (12-8) allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight over eight-plus innings to earn the win over the Mariners on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

This was Verlander's longest outing since he was traded from the Mets to the Astros at the deadline. It was also his third quality start over five outings in September. The 40-year-old right-hander is now at a 3.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 139:42 K:BB through 157.1 innings over 26 starts this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Diamondbacks on the road this weekend, but Houston may change its pitching plans depending on its positioning in the standings at that point if the team needs to line up a playoff rotation.