Regardless of what happens on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park, it’s mission accomplished for the Houston Astros who have taken back home field advantage with their 5-0 win in Game 4 that evened up the 2022 World Series at 2-2. Philadelphia still has a great opportunity in Game 5 if they can pick up a win and then just needing a split at Minute Maid Park to claim the title – but they need to get a hit first.
What a Difference a Day Makes
The Phillies rolled into Wednesday night hot, getting just 7 hits in Tuesday’s 7-0 win but having five of them being for HRs. What a flipside Game 4 brought though as Philadelphia was no-hit for just the second time in World Series history as the Astros served up a shutout of their own.
Philadelphia really can’t afford to go back to Minute Maid Park down 3-2 (Houston was 55-26 at home this season) but in order to take back the series lead they have to beat the likely AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. The right-hander has been great this year (18-4, 1.75 ERA) but the Phillies scored 5ER off of him in Game 1 pushing Verlander’s World Series record to 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA.
A little letdown can be expected after an offensive output like the Phillies put up on Tuesday with their 5 HRs. Now it’s time to get back to work though against Verlander who just can’t seem to get right in World Series games. One thing going for Philly is that teams have alternated wins and losses through the first four games of this series, which would leave the home team due for a win.
Noah Syndergaard was supposed to start Monday before the rain postponement but now he’ll get his chance in the Astros Phillies Game 5 matchup. Syndergaard hasn’t pitched since October 22nd but a long layoff didn’t stop Houston’s Cristian Javier from throwing 6.0 IP of no-hit ball in Game 4.
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Astros (-152) | Phillies (+140) | 7.5 | Astros -1.5 (+113) | Phillies +1.5 (-133) |
| Bovada | Astros (-160) | Phillies (+134) | 7.5 | Astros -1.5 (+110) | Phillies +1.5 (-130) |
| BetUS | Astros (-153) | Phillies (+138) | 7.5 | Astros -1.5 (+110) | Phillies +1.5 (-138) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Astros (-152) | Phillies (+140) | 7.5 | Astros -1.5 (+113) | Phillies +1.5 (-133) |
| Pinnacle | Astros (-154) | Phillies (+142) | 7.5 | Astros -1.5 (+114) | Phillies +1.5 (-126) |
| MyBookie | Astros (-153) | Phillies (+126) | 7.5 | Astros -1.5 (+105) | Phillies +1.5 (-128) |
Astros Phillies Game 5 Prediction
Houston may have saved their season on Wednesday, but does that mean they’re going to get complacent heading back to Minute Maid Park for at least one game guaranteed? Verlander could easily get to the Phillies offense that couldn’t manage a hit in Game 4, but he’s also been atrocious in his career during the World Series. With teams alternating wins and losses so far through four games there’s no reason to go away from that trend as the Philadelphia home crowd gets one last chance to see their team at home this season.
Pick: Phillies +132
