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After a historic Game Four, the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies will run it back in a crucial Game Five on Thursday. With the Astros' win last night, the 2022 World Series became the 65th time that a best-of-seven series has been squared at two apiece heading into Game Five. The winner of the pivotal Game Five goes on to win the series 70% of the time. The Astros rode an unforgettable pitching performance from Cristian Javier into a 5-0 win that finished in the second no-hitter in Fall Classic history. Javier and three separate relief pitchers became the first to throw a World Series no-hitter since New York Yankees pitcher Don Larsen did it in 1956. Game Three was the second time Javier started a game that resulted in a no-hitter this season. The only other postseason no-hitter came in 2010 when the late, great Roy Halladay did it at last night's venue, Citizens Bank Park.
The Astros scored all five runs in the fifth off Phillies ace Aaron Nola and relief pitcher Jose Alvardo. Houston opened the frame with three straight singles, chasing Nola from the contest with the bases loaded and nobody out. Alvarado, an ace up the sleeve of manager Rob Thompson this season, came in to put out the fire, but instead hit Yordan Alvarez before Alex Bregman slapped a two-run double into right field to spot the Astros for a 3-0 lead. Kyle Tucker, the next batter, did his job with a sac fly to deep center, followed by a Yuli Gurriel single to cap the five-run inning.
Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Betting Odds
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Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Starting Matchup
Houston will yet again give the ball to Justin Verlander. The veteran's career success is that of a legend, winning two Cy Young awards and 244 games in his 17-year career. Unfortunately, his World Series woes also remain magnified, especially after another clunker in the series opener last Friday. He started the outing with three shutout innings before getting tagged for a crooked number in the fourth and fifth. Verlander finished with five strikeouts while allowing five runs on six hits and a pair of walks. "JV" has solid regular season numbers against the Phillies, going 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA. He had one previous outing at Citizens Bank, hurling six innings while surrendering three runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out five.
The "Fightin' Phils" will turn to trade deadline acquisition Noah Syndergaard to start Game Five. 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 two innings from 2020 to 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
Like in Game Four, I have a hard time backing the Houston Astros ever since they were unapologetic about the sign-stealing scandal from 2017 to 2018. Justin Verlander is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame and probably gets in the first try, but it's tough to ignore his World Series track record. One has to think that he will eventually figure it out, right? If he does and Noah Syndergaard balls out then runs should again be tough to come by.
Prediction: Under 7.5 (-105)
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