Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros World Series Game 5 Prediction: Will the Phillies Bats Bounce Back?
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros World Series Game 5 Prediction: Will the Phillies Bats Bounce Back?
Phillies vs. Astros World Series Game 5 Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: November 3, 2022
- Game Time: 8:03 pm ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Click Here for Phillies vs. Astros Game 5 Odds
The Phillies and Astros have been going back and forth over the first four games of the World Series, with the series now tied 2-2. The Phillies are now in an interesting spot because they cannot win at home anymore. If they were to lose tonight, the Astros have two chances to close out the series at home, which seems almost inevitable if they win tonight. Can the Phillies take a series lead to Houston?
Do you want to bet on Game 5 of the World Series but don't know where to? We've got you covered! Check out our free bets page with over $5,000 on sports betting promos you can use for the Astros vs Phillies. Just click here!
Phillies vs. Astros World Series Game 5 Prediction
The Astros realize the implications of this game and will do everything to take the lead back to Houston, which is why they are starting Justin Verlander. Verlander led all pitchers this season with a 1.75 ERA and had an 18-4 pitcher record to accompany it. He was the best in the league at keeping runners off base, too, as he finished the regular season with a 0.83 WHIP. However, this has all gone out the window in the postseason.
Verlander has pitched 15 innings over three starts in the 2022 postseason, and he has allowed 12 earned runs over those three starts for a 7.2 ERA. Although the Astros were able to back him up against the Mariners and win 8-7, the offense could not do the same in game one of the World Series, as the Astros lost 5-6 behind Verlander. Verlander allowed five runs in five innings in game one, and surprisingly none of those came on a home run, either. Is this just a short-term postseason rut for Verlander? Nope. Verlander has struggled in the fall since he joined the Astros. This is Verlander's third World Series appearance with the Astros since he joined the team in 2017 (he didn't pitch last season), and his only good outings came in 2017. In 2017, he had two World Series starts, going six innings in each with three and two earned runs for a 3.75 ERA. In 2019, against the Nationals, Verlander went six, and five innings in his two World Series starts and gave up four and three earned runs, respectively, for a 5.72 ERA. It wasn't any better as a Tiger for Verlander, either, as he went 0-4 in four starts with the Tigers in the World Series. This season, it was the same in game one against the Phillies.
Overall, Verlander has just not been clutch in the biggest games of the season. His overall pitcher record is 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight starts in the World Series in his career. The teams he pitches for are 1-7 overall in his starts in the World Series.
This Phillies offense has been too hot this postseason to have a performance as bad as their no-hitter yesterday. Even though McCullers was tipping his pitches, the Phillies should look more like the team that won 7-0 at home in game three. The Phillies have been on fire in the playoffs, especially at home, where they had yet to lose before yesterday.
This play is more of a fade of Verlander in this spot than backing Syndergaard. After all, Syndergaard probably won't even be in the game for long, as his longest outing this postseason has been three innings. The Phillies bullpen has been excellent in this series, so I expect a heavy dose of the bullpen tonight to back Syndergaard, knowing they get a day off tomorrow. Justin Verlander has been just abysmal in the World Series in his career, and at 39 years old, the long season may be affecting his arm slightly. With great odds on the Phillies as underdogs, I'm fading a 1-7 pitcher in this spot.
Phillies vs. Astros World Series Game 5 Pick
- Phillies ML (+135) (Bet $100 to Collect $235) Click here to bet at DraftKings, who have the best odds
Article Author
Ben Rajavuori is a handicapper out of Minneapolis, MN. He has been creating sports content for almost four years now and is an expert in all things NFL, MLB, NBA, UFC, and NCAAB. Ben thrives on diving deep into statistics to find the best angle on every bet. You can follow him on Twitter @WeBeatTheSpread.