The Astros pitching staff was too much for the once-potent Phillies lineup, as Houston won Game 6, 3-2, which is also the state of this World Series.
The American League Champion Astros are now listed at -550 odds to win the World Series, according to DraftKings and FanDuel. Caesars has odds at -600.
With wins on Wednesday and Thursday, Houston has reversed a 2-1 deficit and now sits one victory away from a championship. Prior to the Series, odds for Houston to win the championship were -175.
The Phillies, whose bats have gone into a deep funk the last two games, face the daunting task of winning two games on the road. FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings, and Caesars are pricing Philadelphia at +450 to win the Fall Classic in the immediate aftermath of their loss in Game 5.
The teams travel to Houston to play Game 6 on Saturday, Nov. 5. If necessary, Game 7 would be played on Sunday at the same venue.
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Game 6 World Series Odds
With the Astros leading 3 games to 2, the sixth game of the 2022 World Series is scheduled for Saturday at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Behind Framber Valdez, Houston is -150 to close out the series Saturday, per early consensus lines. Zack Wheeler and the Phillies bet back odds of around +130. The total is 7 runs with juice on the Under.
Here are current odds from top sports betting apps.
Verlander, Bullpen Keep Phillies Down, Deliver Series Lead for Astros
Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. gestures during batting practice before Game 4 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
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The crowd at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia was too loud to hear it, but there may have been a gigantic PHEW! on the infield during the Astros celebration after Game 6.
That exclamation would have come from Justin Verlander, who finally got a victory in the World Series. While it erases a strange black mark on his otherwise sterling record, more importantly, Verlander helped place his team one step away from securing a World Series title.
Houston won Game 5 by the score of 3-2, and in the victory they displayed all of the facets that make this a great team.
In the fourth inning, Jeremy Pena slugged a home run on baseball’s biggest stage. Houston power: Check.
In the first inning, Jose Altuve quickly advanced an extra 90 feet on his leadoff extra-base hit when Philadelphia outfielder Brandon Marsh bobbled the baseball. Houston baserunning: check.
In the second inning, the Phillies loaded the bases with two outs. Previously in the postseason at this ballpark, the Phils have capitalized on these situations. Verlander reared back and blew away Rhys Hoskins on a 97 mile-per-hour fastball. Houston starting pitching dominance: check.
In the eighth inning with one out, the Phils got a runner on base. Dusty Baker waved his closer, Ryan Pressly, into the game. Pressly got five outs. Houston managerial guts and bullpen dominance: check and check!
In the bottom of the ninth, J.T. Realmuto hit what looked like a sure extra-base hit into deep center field. Chas McCormick leaped into the wall and made a dazzling one-handed catch. Houston defensive prowess: check!
Since losing Game 3 and being shut out in the process, the Astros have almost seemed to take the indignity personally. In Game 5 four pitchers combined to pitch a no-hitter. Tonight in Game 6, every cylinder in The Big Orange Machine was firing. Now, the Astros are one win away from securing their second title in six years.
Verlander’s evening began U-G-L-Y when he allowed a leadoff homer to Kyle Schwarber to tie the game. But after that, Verlander held the Phils at arm’s length. Even though the Phillies got seven baserunners in the first three innings, they couldn’t break through to rattle the veteran. By the time Verlander had figured out his pitches, he was cruising to a five-inning effort that made history for him.
In eight previous starts in the Fall Classic, Verlander was 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA. But that didn’t matter on Thursday. The 39-year old ace admitted later that he “was grinding” on the mound in Game 6, but with his stellar mechanics and bag of tricks, the future Hall of Famer handed a 2-1 lead to the bullpen.
If the Astros win this World Series, it will be the bullpen that made the difference. Through five games the Houston pen has allowed only two runs in 18 2/3 innings.
Game 6 Pitching Matchup, Phillies vs. Astros
Zack Wheeler (1-2, 2.67 ERA in PS) vs. Framber Valdez (2-0, 1.42 ERA in PS)
Which Zack Wheeler will be on the mound for the Phillies on Saturday in Game 6? In two postseason starts against the Cardinals and Padres, Wheeler pitched 13 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. But in Game 5 of the NLCS and in Game 2 of the World Series, the Philly righthander was knocked around for seven runs in 11 innings.
Is Wheeler suffering from throwing more innings than any pitcher in baseball the last two seasons? Is the unpredictable rhythm of the postseason, with non-standard days of rest, troubling his preparation? Or was it good hitting by the opposing team?
Whatever his problems have been in his most recent starts, Wheeler can’t struggle in Game 6. If he does, Phillies skipper Rob Thompson will have to turn to a bullpen that’s probably given him all they can. In the regular season, the Phils pen ranked 23rd out of 30 teams in baseball in ERA. This postseason, the relief corps has responded well, but can it keep that up while facing the loud, raucous Texas crowd?
The Phillies have to find a way to break through against Valdez, who struck them out nine times in Game 2. If the Astros get a lead, the dominant Houston bullpen will also be right there to preserve it.
World Series Game 6 Prediction
Teams that lead the World Series 3-2 and have the remaining scheduled games at their home ballpark, have a 21-8 record. We like the Astros to take care of business with Framber Valdez, who pitched brilliantly in Game 2 last week, on the bump.
In 2019, the Astros held a 3-2 lead in the World Series and went home for two games, only to lose two heartbreaking games to the Washington Nationals. This time, the Astros won’t let that happen. The 2022 Astros are baseball’s best fielding team, best baserunning team, and they have one of the greatest bullpens in history.
Any win this weekend in Houston, and Dusty Baker will have the cherry for the top of his baseball sundae. We like Houston to win Game 6 with -1.5 runs. Look for the ‘Stros to have a party on Saturday and win by at least two runs.
Prop bet picks for Game 6 of World Series
- We like Jose Altuve to hit his 24th career postseason home run and fifth in the World Series.
- Take Framber Valdez at OVER 7 K’s.
- Concussion? Maybe Yuli Gurriel got one in Game 5 running the bases. But the Cuban star still got his knock, and he’s reached base in 10 consecutive postseason games. If Yuli is in Dusty’s lineup, take a prop bet on him getting his typical 1+ hit.
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; Astros 5, Phillies 2
- Game 3: Tuesday, Nov. 1 at Philadelphia; Phillies 7, Astros 0
- Game 4: Tuesday, Nov. 2 at Philadelphia; Astros 5, Phillies 0
- Game 5: Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Philadelphia; Astros 3, Phillies 2
- Game 6: Friday, Nov. 4 at Houston
- Game 7: Saturday, Nov. 5 at Houston
The World Series is televised on FOX, and you can listen on ESPN Radio.
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