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The MLB World Series will continue on Tuesday (November 1), with the Houston Astros taking on the Philadelphia Phillies. Game 3, initially scheduled for Monday night, was postponed due to inclement weather.
The Fall Classic will shift to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after the two league champions split their first two games at the Minute Maid Park in Houston. After dropping Game 1, the Astros responded with a 5-2 win to square the series.
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 kept 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 he has done them all season.
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 despite Monday's postponment. 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 and giving up four earned runs. He has a career 2.77 postseason ERA over 18 appearances since 2015.
McCullers has had one previous outing against the Phillies, tossing six innings of one-run ball 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 plan was to turn to trade deadline acquisition Noah Syndergaard to start Game 3. Instead, with Monday's posponment, manager Rob Thompson was eager to shuffle things around, deciding instead to go with left-hander Ranger Suarez.
The 2022 season marked the first time in his five-year career that Suarez spent the entirety of the year as a starter. He went 10-7 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in a 155.1 innings. He struckout 129 while walking 58.
The left-hander has made four appearances this postseason, the first of his career. He was excellent when called upon, going 1-0 with a smooth 1.86 ERA. His most recent outing came in relief during Game 1 back in Houston, retiring Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman before giving up a hit to Kyle Tucker.
His only other exposure to the Astros was the game right after the Phillies celebrated their first playoff berth since 2011. Suarez was shelled, allowing six earned on seven hits and two walks in three innings. It's not crazy to think Suarez may have got inebriated the night before. The 27-year-old is solid at Citizens Bank, holding a career record of 14-6 with a 3.08 ERA at home.
Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Betting Prediction
Noah Syndergaard could shine in Game 3, given his experience in big games. While the same cannot be said about Ranger Suarez, the sportsbooks consider the ladder a tougher opponent with a change in odds. With Houston being a short favorite, the team that won over 100 wins should take this one.
Prediction: Astros ML (-118)
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