Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Prediction, Odds, Line, and Picks - October 29 | 2022 MLB World Series
The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros will run it back on Saturday for Game 2 of the World Series. Last night was a thriller, hopefully setting the tone for the rest of the best-of-seven series. The Phillies rallied from a 5-0 deficit to become only the second team in the last 20 years to come back from being down by at least five runs.
The Astros got the scoring started in the bottom of the second courtesy of a Kyle Tucker solo shot to right field. Tucker again went deep in the third, hitting a three-run home run to spot Houston ace Justin Verlander a commanding 5-0 lead. JV, known for his uncharacteristically poor World Series numbers, began to unravel in the fourth. With one on and two out, the Phillies sent five straight to the plate, with RF Nick Castellanos and 3B Alec Bohm driving in three. In the top half of the fifth, Catcher J.T. Realmuto, one of the many heroes in Philadelphia's Game 1 win, sent a hanging curveball off the left field wall to square the game at five a piece.
Houston had a golden opportunity to walk it off in the ninth. With Jose Altuve in scoring position, Rookie of the Year candidate Jeremy Pena hit a lazy fly ball to right field that seemed destined to find no man's land. Instead, Nick Castellanos, better known for his bat and not his glove, made a feet-first sliding catch to send the game to extras. Then, in the tenth, Realmuto sent a line drive just over the right field wall to give the Phillies their first lead of the World Series. Trade deadline acquisition David Robertson closed the door in the bottom half of the inning to finish the Phillies' come-from-behind win.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Betting Odds
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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Starting Matchup
Philadelphia Phillies co-ace Zack Wheeler will get the ball in Game 2 of the Fall Classic. The former New York Met authored another fantastic season in Philadelphia, winning 12 games with a 2.82 ERA. Saturday will mark his fifth career postseason start, all of which came in these playoffs. He has been remarkable, posting a 1.78 ERA and a microscopic 0.513 WHIP. Wheeler is in his eighth year as a major leaguer but has never before faced Houston. He has an ERA north of four against teams with a winning percentage over .500.
Framber Valdez will toe the slab in Game 2, hoping to get the Houston Astros back on track. Valdez is more than a reliable arm, pitching to the tune of a career-best 17 wins with a 2.82 ERA. The 28-year-old has been sharp this postseason, going 12.2 innings while allowing only two runs. Valdez made two appearances in last year's World Series, getting shelled for 12 runs in 10.1 innings. He has faced the Phillies once before, going five shutout innings with ten punchouts earlier this year. He has a career 20-9 record at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Philadephia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Betting Prediction
The Phillies will be hard-pressed to take both games in Houston, especially with the Astros deploying yet another All-Star caliber arm. Valdez has been impressive this postseason and tends to thrive off the environment at Minute Maid. Wheeler is a bonafide ace but has a tall task ahead of him against a surging Houston lineup.
Prediction: Astros ML (-142)
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