Game 1 of the ALCS has a pitching matchup of Ken Forsch (12-13 3.20 Grade 13Z) for the Astros against Cy Young winner Steve Carlton (24-9 2.34 Grade 19XZ) for the Phillies.
Forsch and Carlton keep the offenses at bay in the first 3 innings. In the 4th the Astros would finally break through against Carlton. Jose Cruz would double in Enos Cabell and then Cesar Cedano would launch a homer to dead centerfield to make it 3-0. The Phillies would dent the scoreboard in the 5th as Mike Schmidt just misses a homer as he triples off the top of the wall in the left center to drive in Pete Rose. In the 8th the Phillies would get a double from Rose and a walk to Bake McBride to put the tying runs on base. The Astros would turn to Dave Smith and he would retire the next 6 batters to get the save in the 3-1 win. Huge win against Carlton for the Astros.
Final Score: Astros 3, Phillies 1
WP: Ken Forsch (1-0)
LP: Steve Carlton (0-1)
Save: Dave Smith (1)
HR’s: Astros – Cesar Cedano (1)