A year ago, Justin Verlander helped led the Houston Astros to the World Series.
On Thursday night, it will be up to Verlander to keep the Astros' dream of a repeat alive for another day.
The Boston Red Sox, up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, can win the American League pennant and advance to the World Series with a victory tonight at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
But they'll have to do it against Verlander, who is at his best when his team is against the wall.
In five career starts in postseason elimination games, Verlander is 4-1 with a 1.