by Game 5 of the 2022 World Series will be played in Philadelphia on Thursday night before returning to Houston for Game 6 and a possible Game 7.
The Star tied the series at 2-all in dominant fashion, not only shutting out the Phillies, 5-0, but combining for a complete game no-hitter behind starter Cristian Javier. It was the first combined no-hitter in World Series history.
The Phillies they are now unlucky since the sixth inning of Game 3 and no longer have a perfect postseason home record. Home field advantage returns to Houston and we have a three game series to determine the World Series champions. The team that won Game 5 has won the World Series 70% of the time.
Needless to say, Thursday’s stakes couldn’t be much higher.
Astros-Phillies Game 5 World Series Odds
- Money Line: Stars (-154) | Phillies (+130)
- Execution line: Astros -1.5 (+110) | Phillies +1.5 (-133)
- Total: 7.5 – Over (-110) | Under (-110)
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The Astros will start their ace and likely 2022 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander in Game 5. While Verlander was excellent during the regular season, he was inconsistent in the postseason.
Verlander was rocked for five runs by Sailors in Game 1 of the ALDS, and blew a 5-0 lead and were shocked by the Phillies for five runs in Game 1 of the World Series. The Astros were able to beat the Mariners 6-5, but the Phillies won Game 1, 6-5, to ruin the Astros’ perfect postseason bid last Friday. Verlander, however, threw a gem with 11 strikeouts against him Yankees in the ALCS.
For all his accolades, Verlander somehow never won a World Series championship. He is 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA spanning eight postseason starts.
He plans to change that Thursday.
The Phillies will counter with a bullpen game led Noah Syndergaard. Syndergaard has thrown 5 1/3 innings in three postseason games and allowed just one run. Righties aren’t fully stretched, so there’s no question Philly will need to get to their bullpen early. Rob Thomson used five bullpen arms Wednesday night, but with Friday as an off day he should be able to use his bullpen freely.
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Both teams have hit exactly 15 streaks in the World Series. The Astros had scored for 16 innings before their five-run outburst in the fifth inning of Game 4. The Phillies have now gone 11 straight hitless innings – tied with the 1939 Yankees for the longest World Series streak. It’s been a one-sided offense for the last two games, yet these two teams look pretty evenly matched right now.
So, how should we bet on this game?
I can’t bet against Verlander. Losing Seven World Series starts is a feat that should be more difficult than successful the Cy Young. Verlander struck out nine Phillies in his final regular season start and struck out five even while giving up five runs in Game 1. The Astros struck out 14 batters in Game 4.
It is also worth noting that Julie Gurriel is closing in on a postseason record. His 47 consecutive postseason plate appearances without a strikeout is now fifth in MLB history, just four behind Joey Cora (51).
Let’s offer some Astros props for a +190 odds payout.
PARLAY: Justin Velander 5+K + Yuli Gurriel Over 0.5 Hits + Alex Bregman Over 0.5 Hits (+190)
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