Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Picks, Predictions, Odds

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Betting Analysis

The Phillies visit the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Monday, October 3, 2022 for the first of a three-game series.

Philadelphia is sitting in the third place of the National League East standings at 86-73, while owning a 39-39 record away from Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies are also 14 games behind the Atlanta Braves for first place in the division. The Astros are currently leading the West division with 104-55 and a home record of 53-25.

Updated on 11/21/2024

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Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Betting Prediction

Philadelphia enters this matchup holding on to the last NL Wild Card spot with a two-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. That lead should be a little larger as the Phillies have gone 6-11 SU over their last 17 games, three of those wins came against the Nationals in their most recent four-game series. The offense has been great this season with a batting average of .255 (7th), on base percentage of .318 (8th), slugging percentage of .424 (5th) and have scored 742 total runs (7th). The bullpen has not had quite that kind of success with a WHIP of 1.25 (14th) and team ERA of 3.96 (17th). Right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola (10-13, 3.36 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday.  

With the second-best record in baseball the Astros enter this series with nothing to worry about as they have already clinched the division. They have been playing great baseball all season and have won 19 of their last 26 games, most recently 2-1 SU in a series with the Tampa Bay Rays. The offense has been solid throughout the season with a batting average of .247 (13th), on base percentage of .319 (7th), slugging percentage of .422 (7th) and have scored 724 total runs (8th). The bullpen has been one of the best in the league with a WHIP of 1.10 (2nd) and team ERA of 2.92 (2nd). The right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. Is (4-1, 2.38 ERA) is expected to start Monday.  

While the Phillies could be a solid play because of motivation, I still like the Astros to take game one of this series. McCullers Jr. Has put out solid production this season and should give the Phillies offense a tough time. Backing the Astros here.  

Score Prediction: Astros 6, Phillies 3
Best Bet: Astros ML (-125)

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Betting Odds

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Betting Resources

• Date: Monday, October 3, 2022
• Matchup: NL East vs. NL West
• Venue: Minute Maid Park
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Time-TV: 8:10 p.m. ET – MLB.tv
• Expert Picks

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros – Current Form

The Phillies were tripped up by the Chicago Cubs last Thursday, but grabbed three of four games last Sunday against the Nationals. In Thursday’s game, the third of three they played against the Chicago Cubs, the offense of Philadelphia didn’t manage to produce even a single run. The Astros went 1-1 against the Diamondbacks last Wednesday, then went 1-1 to the Rays in their next game on Sunday. In the second contest against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, the Houston Astros were in their best form in the last five games, keeping the Tampa Bay Rays at only one run. The first of two matches on Tuesday marked an 10-run effort by Houston against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which was their best performance this week.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros – Pitching Matchup

Philadelphia: Aaron Nola (10-13, 3.36 ERA)

Philadelphia ace Aaron Nola toes the rubber for his 31th start of the season as he looks to improve on a 10-13 mark and 3.36 ERA. The right-hander has put together a 0.98 WHIP to go along with 226 strikeouts and 29 walks in 198.1 innings of work. Nola lost his most recent start against the Chicago Cubs, as Philadelphia’s right-hander surrendered four runs on five hits, walks, and eight strikeouts during the Phillies’ 4-2 road loss on September 28, 2022. Nola owns a 4-9 road record this season in 15 starts away from Citizens Bank Park. In those away outings, he has posted a 3.20 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, 12 walks, and 115 strikeouts in 101.1 innings of work.

Houston: Lance McCullers Jr. (4-1, 2.38 ERA)

Houston ace Lance McCullers Jr. toes the rubber for his seventh start of the season as he looks to improve on a 4-1 mark and 2.38 ERA. The right-hander has put together a 1.25 WHIP to go along with 45 strikeouts and 21 walks in 41.2 innings of work. The 29-year-old right-hander lifted the Astros to win on the road over the Tampa Bay Rays on September 21, 2022. McCullers Jr. tossed seven innings in the 2-5 win by Tampa Bay Rays, while giving up two runs on six hits with eight strikeouts and two walks. In his four home starts this season, McCullers Jr. is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, 12 walks and 24 strikeouts over 24 innings of work.

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros – Series History

The 2017 series was owned by Houston, who produced a 2-1 mark in the regular season matchups.