Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesThe 2018 ALCS matchup is set.The Houston Astros are st

ill on track to defend their World Series title after sweeping the Cleveland Indians A. J. Pollock Jersey , while the 108-win Boston Red Sox avenged back-to-back ALDS exits by knocking off the rival New York Yankees.The team that comes out on top in this year's ALCS will likely be heavily favored in the World Series, but first, they'll need to survive what figures to be a hotly contested best-of-seven battle.Ahead is a look at the full ALCS schedule, complete with game times, TV information, updated World Series odds and a series preview.2018 ALCS ScheduleGame 1 at BOS: Saturday, October 13 (8:09 p.m. ET, TBS)Game 2 at BOS: Sunday, October 14 (7:09 p.m. ET, TBS)Game 3 at HOU: Tuesday, October 16 (5:09 p.m. ET, TBS)Game 4 at HOU: Wednesday, October 17 (8:39 p.m. ET, TBS)Game 5 at HOU: Thursday, October 18 (8:09 p.m. ET http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-greinke-jersey , TBS)Game 6 at BOS: Saturday, October 20 (5:09 p.m. ET, TBS)Game 7 at BOS: Sunday, October 21 (7:39 p.m. ET, TBS) Odds to Win World SeriesAstros: +210Red Sox: +215Odds via OddsShark ALCS PreviewBillie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty ImagesThe Boston Red Sox finished the regular season with the best record in baseball, but the Houston Astros might be better built for October success.The Red Sox won 108 games on the strength of the best offense in baseball. With AL MVP candidates Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez leading the way, they led the majors in batting average (.268), OPS (.792) and runs scored (876).In the opposite dugout, the Astros boasted the top pitching staff in all of baseball, leading the majors in team ERA (3.11), starters' ERA (3.16) and bullpen ERA (3.03).That's not to say either team is one-dimensional.The Red Sox finished eighth in team ERA (3.75) and the Astros finished sixth in runs scored (797), so these are well-balanced squads capable of winning in a number of different ways.Justin VerlanderTim Warner/Getty ImagesThe starters for Game 1 and Game 2 of the series have already been announced.Justin Verlander (16-9, 2.52 ERA, 290 K, 214.0 IP) and Chris Sale (12-4 Shelby Miller Jersey , 2.11 ERA, 237 K, 158.0 IP) will square off in the opener, while Gerrit Cole (15-5, 2.88 ERA, 276 K, 200.1 IP) and David Price (16-7, 3.58 ERA, 177 K, 176.0 IP) will toe the rubber in Game 2.Verlander (5.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 7 K) and Cole (7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER Chris Owings Jersey , 12 K) both pitched well in their ALDS starts, and the same can be said for Sale (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 8 K).However, Price lasted just 1.2 innings in his ALDS outing, allowing a pair of home runs and three earned runs total before getting the hook.That said, he pitched well against the Astros back in June, allowing five hits and three earned runs over six innings to earn the win.The Astros won the season series by a slim 4-3 margin, and this series really is a coin flip. Don't be surprised if this one goes the distance and concludes in a thrilling Game 7.All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted. Jeff Curry/Getty ImagesVeteran relief pitcherAdam Ottavino will be part of a loaded bullpen for the New York Yankees next season.Per The Athletic's Robert Murray and Ken Rosenthal, Ottavino and the Yankees are closing in on a three-year deal.ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the two sides agreed to terms. Fancred Sports' Jon Heymanadded Ottavino will receive $27 million over three years.Ottavino, 33, had his best season as an MLB player in 2018, finishing with a 6-4 record and six saves in 75 appearances for the Colorado Rockies. He posted a 2.43 ERA http://www.diamondbacksfanproshop.com/authentic-zack-greinke-jersey , 0.99 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 77.2 innings, helping fuel Colorado's 91-win regular season.His strikeout total in the 2018 season set a Rockies record for a reliever, a mark he told The Athletic's Nick Groke he had in his crosshairs:"I always felt I was capable of doing it. There are elite guys who do that. And I felt like I had the ability to get strikeouts at that rate. I just had to get off to a good start with it. That way I could get the innings to do it."It's silly to set a results goal, but that one made the most sense for me because if I'm trying to strike guys out, it keeps me on the attack and makes me throw more strikes. And everything else falls into place when I'm aggressive like that."InOttavino, Wade Davis, Scott Oberg and Seungwhan Oh, the Rockies had a formidable late-game foursome in their bullpen.Now, however, New York will benefit from the addition ofOttavino, who may be one of the sneakier additions in free agency this winter and should improve the bullpen significantly.The Yankees lost some of their reliever depth earlier this offseason when David Robertson signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Ottavino will slot into his role late in games for manager Aaron Boone as the team looks to overtake the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox in the American League East.