World Series Game Five: Phillies Have Opportunity to Take Lead With a Win at Home

• The Philadelphia Phillies won Games One and Three of this series. 
• The Houston Astros won Games Two and Four of this series.
• The Astros threw a combined no-hitter in Game Five.

Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Odds

Odds Taken from FanDuel Sportsbook

Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks

• Houston Astros beat Philadelphia Phillies 5-3.
• Astros cover the spread, Over 7.5 runs.

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Moneyline Analysis

The World Series will stay in Philadelphia for Game Five. The series is tied at 2-2 and will likely go the full seven games.

The Astros lost Games One and Three but have been favored to win each matchup. They did, however, win Game Four to tie the World Series at 2-2. 

The Astros’ pitchers put on a masterclass and threw the second no-hitter (and first combined no-hitter) in World Series history. Cristian Javier got the start and threw six innings. He struck out nine while only walking two. Bryan Abreu came out of the bullpen and struck out the side in the seventh; Abreu has still not given up a run in the Playoffs. Rafael Montero was sent in as the setup man in the eighth. He struck out one and set the stage for Ryan Pressly.

 Pressly walked one Philly but also struck out one Philly. All in all, the Astros put together a dominating performance on the mound.

The Astros’ lineup also played well but had a slow start. They failed to score a run through the first four innings, but their bats got going in the fifth. Chas McCormick led off the inning with a single. Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena also singled and loaded up the bases. Yordan Alvarez was up next and sent in a run when he was hit by a pitch. Alex Bregman sent in the next two runs with a double. Aaron Nola was pulled from the game after this, but the Phillies bullpen allowed two more runs. 

That was all the scoring the Astros needed, and they won 5-0.

The Astros lineup did not hit well through the first four innings of Game Four, but they showed up in the fifth inning. For that one inning, they showed that they have a bevy of offensive weapons and can hit off any pitcher. 

By the end of the game, eight Astros had at least one hit. Houston has the better lineup, and that is proving to be a problem for the Phillies pitchers. If they continue to hit to the best of their ability, the Astros will be the 2022 World Series Champion.

Justin Verlander will take the hill for the Astros. Verlander will likely win the AL Cy Young Award but has not pitched well in the Playoffs. Verlander started Game One of the World Series but gave up five earned runs. 

The veteran has struggled in the Playoffs, but he will not make the same mistakes he made in Game One today.

Besides Game Four, the Phillies lineup has hit well in the World Series. They had an off night yesterday but should be able to string together a few hits tonight. Philadelphia will not run up the score, but they will score a handful of runs.

Noah Syndergaard will take the mound for the Phillies. Syndergaard has been used sparingly in the Playoffs and has only pitched 5⅓ innings. However, he has performed well in that time and has only given up one earned run. 

Syndergaard may not pitch deep into this game, but he pitches well when on the mound.

The Astros have momentum, and that will push them to victory.

Over/Under Analysis

The over/under is placed at 7.5 runs. Unlike in Game Four, both teams will score today. Bet on the over.

The Astros lineup returned to form in Game Four and hit really well. They may have started slowly, but they got hot when it mattered. Their runs will be more spread out in Game Five, but Houston’s lineup will hit well.

The Astros will go against Noah Syndergaard in this game. Syndergaard is a solid pitcher, but he is not excellent. He had some ups and down during the season and has not pitched in over ten days. I expect him to give up three runs. The Astros’ scoring will not stop there, though. Houston will score two more runs against the Phillies’ bullpen.

The Phillies’ lineup is harder to read than the Astros’ lineup. They have all the weapons necessary but do not always hit well. Philadelphia has scored two runs or less in five of their 15 Playoff games. This is not the most concerning number, but it is indicative of a lineup that does not always bring its A-game.

The Phillies will face Justin Verlander today. Verlander has the ability to be the best in the world, but he has had a few tough starts in the Playoffs. I do not expect him to dominate, but he will have a solid performance. The Phillies will manage to string together two runs off the 39-year-old. They will follow that up with one run against the Astros’ bullpen. 

Head-to-Head: Philadelphia Phillies vs Houston Astros

How To Watch Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies

• What - Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies
• Where - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• When - Thursday, November 3, 8:03 PM EST
• How to Watch - FOX