After two games, we are all knotted at a game apiece as the two teams head to Philadelphia for three games. The Houston Astros bounced back from their first loss in the postseason with a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in game two. The pitching matchup for game three features a pair of right-handers with Lance McCullars Jr. (4-2, 2.27/0-0, 2.45) of the Astros taking on Noah Syndergaard (10-10, 3.94/0-0, 1.69) of the Phillies. Game time is scheduled for 8:03pm EST.
The NFL, College Football, the NHL, the NBA and the MLB playoffs…oh my! Check out all my premium picks for a variety of premium events. My Best Bet of the week is available for only $49.99 (normally $100) if you use this link. Don't miss out as this comes with a profit guarantee. Win or get the money back in credit!
The Houston Astros wasted very little time in bouncing back from their first postseason loss. The Astros offense got going early, with three straight doubles in the first inning, jumping out to a 3-0 lead after just one inning. Alex Bregman belted a two-run home run in the fifth inning to back a strong starting performance from Framber Valdez in a 5-2 Astros' win. Valdez struck out nine batters in 6.1 innings while allowing just four hits and one run. The Astros bullpen finished off Philadelphia and the series is now knotted at one. The biggest story for the Astros might have been the re-emergence of Jose Altuve, who went three-for-four after coming into the World Series with just three hits in 35 at bats in the postseason. He is now hitting .444 in the two games in the Fall Classic.
Help us send our Astros off to Philadelphia at Noon today! Fans are encoura ged to show their support around Diamond Lot South as the team heads to the airport. See y'all soon! pic.twitter.com/BYbODBPEXf
— Houston Astros (@astros) October 30, 2022
The Astros now head into the House of Horrors that is Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia needing just one win to assure that they'll be back home for game 6. The Astros have to feel good about Altuve's hitting thus far as well as the first-inning double by Yordan Alvarez in game two that may have awoken his slumbering bat. The slugger has hit just .143 since his home run heroics in games one and two of the ALDS. He has just two RBI in that time as well. Houston will turn to a playoff veteran in game three as they hand the ball to Lance McCullars Jr. The righty has made 18 postseason appearances and this will be his 11th start. In this postseason, he hasn't had a decision but has a solid 2.45 ERA and has a 10.64 K/9 rate. He made one start against the Phillies this year and took the loss despite allowing just one run in six innings.