Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros Betting Preview
After getting pummeled by the Philadelphia Phillies (2-3) in Game 3 of the World Series, the Houston Astros (3-2) have won back-to-back games and sit just one victory away from a championship. They will host Game 6 at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:03 pm ET.
The Astros took Game 5 on Thursday in a thriller 3-2. In the win, Justin Verlander picked up his first career World Series win after allowing just one run in five innings. Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena combined to go five for eight with two runs batted in and three runs scored.
For Philadelphia, Noah Syndergaard took the loss after giving up two runs in three innings of work. Kyle Schwarber hit a first-inning bomb off of Verlander, but the Phillies only mustered six hits on the night.
The Astros are the favorites playing at home. They are -142 to win, while the Phillies’ moneyline sits at +120. The runline features Philadelphia +1.5 (-196), and the over/under for total runs is seven.
Phillies Try To Regroup On The Road
Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Phillies had won every home postseason game this season. After losing two straight, they now face the brink of elimination and must find a way to regroup heading into Houston Saturday.
On the mound for the Phillies will be righty Zack Wheeler. In five games this postseason, he is 1-2 with a 2.67 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, and he has struck out 28 in 30.1 innings of work.
The Astros were able to rough him up a bit in his last start. In that loss, he allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in just five innings.
Offensively, Kyle Schwarber continues to be a threat every time at the plate. This World Series, he is hitting .235/.409/.588 with two home runs and three runs batted in.
In the postseason as a whole, it is still Bryce Harper that leads the club. He is hitting .373/.439/.797 in 59 at bats with six home runs, 13 runs batted in, and 12 runs scored.
Astros Look To Get Dusty Baker First Managerial Championship
Dusty Baker has had a long and storied managerial career, but a World Series championship remains elusive to him. On Saturday, the Astros will try to change while also winning their second title in franchise history.
While the momentum is going their way, it won’t be easy, as Philadelphia has shown they will battle until the end. Trying to finish the job for the Astros is lefty Framber Valdez.
He was electric in his first start of this series, going 6.1 innings, allowing just one run, and striking out nine. In the postseason, he is 2-0 in three games with a 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, and he has struck out 24 in 19 innings.
Offensively, Jeremy Pena continues to lead the club. The rookie is hitting .333/.357/.648 and has four home runs, eight runs batted in, and 11 runs scored.
It is worth noting that Yuli Gurriel, who is hitting .347/.360/.490 this postseason, was knocked out of Game 5 with an injury, so his availability will be questionable.
Astros Celebrate Championship At Home
The travel day on Friday will help, but all of the momentum lies with the Astros right now. They come back home with the series lead and have arguably one of their best pitchers on the mound for Game 5.
On the flip side, the Phillies are reeling, and they are starting Zack Wheeler, who was pushed to Game 6 due to arm fatigue.
Granted, this World Series has had a series of highs and lows on both sides, but expect Houston to finish the job Saturday and win their second World Series in team history.
Take Houston to win at -142.
