Houston Astros vs Philadephia Phillies Prediction, Odds, Line, and Picks - October 31 | 2022 MLB World Series
The MLB World Series will continue on Monday (October 31), with the Houston Astros taking on the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Fall Classic will shift to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after the two league champions split their first two games at Minute Maid Park in Houston. After dropping Game 1, the Astros responded with a 5-2 win to square the series at one apiece.
Houston jumped out to an early five-run lead, giving starting pitcher Framber Valdez more than enough support to cruise to his second postseason win. Unlike Game 1 starter Justin Verlander, the big left-hander could keep the Philadelphia bats at bay, hurling 6.2 innings of four-hit ball.
Valdez's performance was a topic of discussion after the game, given his rather bizarre antics during the contest. The 28-year-old started the game with a tan glove and spikes but changed them after one frame. He was also continuously hand-rubbing.
Given last year's crackdown on foreign substances, any little tick or habit revolving around a pitcher becomes magnified. After the game, Valdez spoke about his tendencies, reassuring pundits and fans alike that these have been season-long tendencies.
Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Betting Odds
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Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Starting Matchup
Another curveball specialist, SP Lance McCullers Jr., will take to the hill for the Astros. McCullers was wickedly effective in 2022, albeit missing most of the season with an injury suffered in the offseason. He shoved in 47.2 innings, posting a 2.27 ERA with 50 punchouts.
The former World Series champion got a start in the ALDS and ALCS, going 11 innings while giving up four earned runs. He has a career 2.77 postseason ERA over 18 appearances dating back to 2015.
McCullers has had one previous outing against the Phillies, tossing six innings of one-run ball back in early October. He struck out five. The lone run came via a long ball from RF Kyle Schwarber. He has never pitched at Citizens Bank Park in Phili, but his ERA is nearly two runs higher on the road.
With Philadelphia using their co-aces in the first two games of the best-of-seven series, the Fightin' Phils will turn to trade deadline acquisition Noah Syndergaard to start Game 3. Syndergaard, equipped with the excellent nickname Thor, came over from the Los Angeles Angels in August.
He made nine starts for the Phillies, going 5-2 with a 4.12 ERA. Once viewed as a franchise cornerstone, Syndergaard had his career nearly derailed by injury, pitching just two innings since 2020-2021. However, outside of his microscopic 1.69 ERA this postseason, Thor has plenty of postseason experience dating back to when he was a focal point of the New York Mets rotation during their 2015 World Series run.
He has a 2.30 playoff ERA with an insane 11.5 K/9 ratio in 31.1 innings. The former first-round pick faced Houston for the first time this season, making two starts against the Astros as a member of the Angels. He went 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA. He is yet to settle in at Citizens Bank, having a spotty 4.48 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 60.1 innings at his new home.
Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Betting Prediction
I am curious to know how long a leash manager Rob Thompson will have for Noah Syndergaard, but the righty should be ready to rock and roll against a formidable Houston lineup. Even if his counterpart, Lance McCullers, shoves, Thor should be able to keep pace with him late into the Philadelphia night. With 48 hours of rest, the entirety of the Phillies' bullpen will be expendable.
Prediction: Astros U 4.5 TT runs (-140)
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