World Series Odds: Phillies vs. Astros Game 2 Line, Prediction

World Series odds are shifting after the Houston Astros squandered a 5-0 lead in Game 1. The Philadelphia Phillies scored six unanswered runs, including the game-winner in the 10th, to steal the opening game of the Fall Classic.

The Phillies are now priced at -135 to win this World Series after taking away home-field advantage, according to BetMGM. The loss was the first for the Astros this postseason. BetMGM has the Astros at +110 to win the World Series.

Odds for Game 2 show the Phillies at +118 on the road, and the Astros at -140, according to Caesars Sportsbook.

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Odds to Win 2022 World Series, Phillies vs. Astros Series Prices Before Game 2

Phillies vs. Astros Game 2 World Series Odds

Here are current odds from various sports betting apps:

Phillies Counterpunch and Steal Game 1

For three innings it appeared that the Houston Astros would remain perfect in this 2022 postseason. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander had faced the minimum, and he had his high fastball and breaking pitches working in unison. Kyle Tucker has smacked two home runs to help the ‘Stros to a 5-0 lead.

In the history of postseason baseball, teams with a 5-0 lead had a 589-17 record. But Houston watched as the Phillies scored three times with two outs in the fourth, and tied it in the fifth. All of those runs were charged to Verlander, who remains winless in the Fall Classic.

Phillies’ manager Rob Thompson surprised many when he used his best reliever in the fifth inning to squash any ideas the Astros had to score runs after the game had been deadlocked. That decision could have backfired. It did not.

It took five innings for the next run to score in this entertaining Game 1, and when it did it was J.T. Realmuto, a perennial All-Star who is in his first postseason, who hit a game-winning homer.

Now the Phils can focus on swiping Game 2 before going to The City of Brotherly Love with a chance to end the series. But the Astros, who are in their fourth World Series in six years, are not going to back away from the challenge.

Game 2 Pitching Matchup, Phillies vs. Astros

Zack Wheeler (1-1, 1.78 ERA in PS) vs. Framber Valdez (1-0, 1.42 ERA in PS)

You think there will be pressure on Framber Valdez in Game 2? His team lost a five-run lead with a future Hall of Famer on the mound at home. To say Game 1 was disappointing for the Astros is a gross understatement. It’s the type of loss that could define this series.

But the good news is that the Astros are no strangers to the drama, and ups-and-downs of postseason games. Just Google “2017 World Series” or “2019 World Series” to learn how the Astros have weathered tough times on baseball’s big stage.

Valdez has little history against any of the Phils batters. The same goes for Wheeler, who has 11 plate appearances total against players on the Houston roster.

If familiarity breeds contempt, then is it possible unfamiliarity leads to joy? If so, these two lineups might score lots of runs against the unknown starters (at least to most of them).

A few comments on Game 1 and observations that may help us anticipate what might happen in Game 2:

• Kyle Tucker was relaxed and focused at the same time, and it showed in the batters box, as he stroked two towering homers. That confidence is bound to follow him into the rest of the series.
• Valdez has been susceptible to walks, and opposing lineups have better swings against him the second and third time through the lineup.
• After probably keeping Verlander in the game too long, Dusty Baker will not make that same decision in Game 2. Expect the Houston bullpen to be in the game at the first real sign of trouble. Short leash, indeed.
• Bryce Harper, Realmuto, and Alec Bohm had hard hit balls in Game 1 for the Phils. Same for Jose Altuve on the Astros side.
• Yordan Alvarez remains in a funk. He was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Game 1. Since his homer in Game 2 of the AL Division Series, Alvarez is 3-for-25 with one RBI.
• Yuli Gurriel keeps making contact and finding ways to get on base. He has two more hits in Game 1.

World Series Schedule

The schedule for the 2022 World Series:

• Game 1: Friday, Oct. 28 at Houston; Phillies 6, Astros 5 (1o innings)
• Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 29 at Houston
• Game 3: Monday, Oct. 31 at Philadelphia
• Game 4: Tuesday, Nov. 2 at Philadelphia
• Game 5: Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Philadelphia
• Game 2: Friday, Nov. 4 at Houston
• Game 2: Saturday, Nov. 5 at Houston

The World Series will be televised by FOX, and you can hear it on ESPN Radio.