The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of advancing to their first World Series since 2013.However Phil Rizzuto Jersey , securing the first spot in the 2018 Fall Classic won't be easy, as Boston sends David Price to the mound in Game 5 of the ALCS to oppose Houston's Justin Verlander.Thursday's Game 5 at Minute Maid Park comes a day after an epic Game 4, which ended on a remarkable diving catch in left field by Andrew Benintendi.On paper, Houston has the edge entering Game 5 because of Verlander's postseason success and Price's playoff struggles. But while both will have an impact on the game, it will be the hitters who once again make the biggest difference in the ALCS.ALCS Game 5 InformationStart Time:8:09 p.m. ETTV:TBSLive Stream:Watch TBSTicket Info: StubHub.Game 5 PickHoustonVerlander and the clutch hitters in the Houston lineup will be the reason the ALCS shifts back to Fenway Park for Game 6 on Saturday.The experienced ace of the Houston pitching staff found a way to silence the Boston bats in Game 1, as he gave up two earned runs in six innings.Even though the Red Sox scored at least seven runs in Games 2, 3 and 4, Verlander will put a stop to their success at the plate to give his team a chance to come from behind and win the series in Boston.In his career, Verlander's made six starts in Game 5 or later in the postseason. In those outings, he's given up seven earned runs and held opposing lineups scoreless in three of those appearances.Omar Rawlings/Getty ImagesIn Game 6 of the 2017 ALCS, the 35-year-old was dominant, holding the New York Yankees to five hits over seven scoreless innings.Conversely Brett Gardner Jersey , Price started three games in Game 5 or later in a postseason series, and he's given up three earned runs in each of his past two appearances late in a series.Overall, the left-hander has struggled to match his regular-season success in the playoffs, and his 4.2-inning outing in Game 2, during which he gave up four earned runs on five hits, was deemed a success compared to his previous horrendous starts.At the plate, George Springer and Carlos Correa will be the difference-makers for the Astros鈥攋ust like they were in Game 4.Springer, who added three hits in Game 4 to his growing total of 39 postseason base knocks, wasn't affected by the move down to the No. 2 spot in the order behind Alex Bregman.Correa shifted down the No. 7 hole and produced three hits of his own, including a two-out RBI single in the fifth inning.Lynne Sladky/Associated PressThe Houston shortstop excels with runners in scoring position and two outs, as he has an average of .261 with 12 home runs and 81 RBI in that situation in his career.Price's inconsistency on the mound will allow the Houston hitters to reach base early in Game 5 to set up scoring opportunities for Springer and Correa, as well as Bregman at the top of the order.After Verlander tosses six or seven solid innings http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-wade-boggs-jersey , he will hand the ball over to Ryan Pressly, Lance McCullers and Roberto Osuna. They will send the series back to Boston by continuing Verlander's dominance against the Boston bats.Follow Joe on Twitter, JTansey90. SAN DIEGO (AP) — A.J. Pollock is regaining his form right when his team needs him most.Pollock homered in the ninth inning, and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Sunday to stay on top of the NL West.Pollock, who missed nearly two months with a thumb injury, drove a 1-2 pitch from Kirby Yates (4-2) over the wall in left for his 16th homer, sending Arizona to its fourth win in five games. Arizona had tied it at 3 on Daniel Descalso’s solo homer off rookie Trey Wingenter in the eighth.“He threw me a fastball earlier in the count that was right there and I just missed it,” Pollock said. “I fouled a couple of pitches and he threw the fastball right there and I was able to do some damage.”After getting two hits and driving in two on Saturday night, Pollock is hitting his stride at an opportune time.“He’s an elite player when healthy,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We can’t do it with just one or two guys, we need everyone and we need A.J. to be A.J.”Archie Bradley (4-4) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win, and Brad Boxberger retired the side in the ninth for his 28th save. The Diamondbacks remained a half-game ahead of second-place Colorado Brian Roberts Jersey , which won 4-2 at Atlanta.“We know what the stakes are, we know exactly what’s going on in the standings,” Lovullo said. “To separate that out and still execute and come out on top is pretty impressive.”David Peralta homered in the third against San Diego starter Brett Kennedy. Peralta missed Friday’s game due to illness and was limited to pinch-hitting on Saturday, but he collected two hits in the finale of the four-game set.“It was huge, and these are the types of games you have to find a way to win,” Lovullo said. “To get a solo homer in the eighth and a solo homer in the ninth to win it, it was an exceptional win. “Arizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt set a club record by reaching base in 10 straight plate appearances when he was intentionally walked in the first. But he struck out on a foul tip in the third.Hunter Renfroe homered and drove in three runs for San Diego, which has lost seven of its last eight against Arizona at Petco Park.“A.J. Pollock is a really good hitter, and when you miss your spot to a really good hitter, sometimes you pay the price,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “I’m sure he’d like to have that one back.”Renfroe hit a two-run shot in the first against Zack Greinke that travelled into the visiting bullpen in left-center and bounced near the newly erected statue of Padres great Trevor Hoffman. Renfroe was later hit on the right forearm by a pitch from Bradley and exited the game in the ninth.Greinke allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.“A lot of it was pretty good, but I got behind in some counts in the first inning Thurman Munson Jersey ,” Greinke said. “Maybe not too great to start that first inning, but after that it was a lot better.”Kennedy pitched five innings in his third career start, allowing two runs and six hits.TRAINER’S ROOMDiamondbacks: RHP Shelby Miller, on the 60-day DL with right elbow inflammation, threw from 60 feet on Saturday and felt no discomfort in his arm. It was the first time Miller has thrown since being shut down in July after making just four starts following his return from Tommy John surgery.UP NEXTDiamondbacks: After an off day on Monday, Arizona returns home to face the Los Angeles Angels. LHP Patrick Corbin (10-8, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound for the Diamondbacks, facing the Angels for the first time in his career.Padres: Are off Monday before beginning a three-game series at Colorado. The club has not named a starter for Tuesday’s game against LHP Tyler Anderson (6-5, 4.39 ERA) and the Rockies.