Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Game 1 Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Philadelphia Phillies will travel to take on the Houston Astros Friday for Game 1 of the World Series. First pitch is scheduled for 8:03 PM ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas and can be viewed on FOX.  

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING PREDICTION

The Phillies were the last team to make the playoffs and now find themselves headed into Game 1 of the World Series Friday night. Philadelphia caught fire at the perfect time and are 9-2 throughout these playoffs. Both sides of the ball have been playing extremely well. Bryce Harper and the offense have put up less than four runs in just two of their 11 games and are averaging 5.18 runs per game. The bullpen has been getting quality starts throughout the postseason and have a team ERA of 3.18. Phillies ace Zack Wheeler will get an extra day’s rest and the right-hander Aaron Nola (Postseason: 2-1, 3.12 ERA) will take the mound Friday. 

 Houston enters Game 1 of the World Series with a perfect 7-0 postseason record making it the fourth time since 2017 they have made it as one of the final teams standing. If you have watched any of this postseason, then you have seen that this is simply an all-around great baseball team. Even with Jose Altuve batting 3-32 at the plate in these playoffs this offense continues to come up clutch in big moments and are averaging 4.42 runs per game. Few runs have been required when the bullpen has a team ERA of 2.57. While not official, the 39-year-old Justin Verlander (1-0, 6.30 ERA) is expected to start Game 1.  

With the Astros being such heavy favorites in Game 1 I think the Phillies are worth backing here with how hot their offense has been. Verlander has not been perfect by any means in his two postseason starts and has arguably been the Astros biggest bullpen weakness thus far. Not to mention Nola took the Astros 6.2 scoreless innings in his final start of the regular season. Backing the underdog here in Game 1.

Score Prediction: Phillies 4, Astros 2
Best Bet: Phillies ML (+142)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING ODDS

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PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING RESOURCES

• Date: Friday, October 28, 2022
• Matchup: NL East vs. AL West
• Venue: Minute Maid Park
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Time-TV: 8:03 p.m. ET – FOX
• Expert Picks

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES BETTING ANALYSIS

Philadelphia is 9-2 SU and 9-2 ATS this postseason. The total has gone over in five of their last seven games. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in four of their last five games when playing an opponent from the AL West Division. The Phillies are 4-2 in their past six games on the road and 1-4 in their past five games when playing on the road against Houston.  

The Phillies offense has been solid throughout these playoffs and have faced some exceptionally good bullpens. As a team Philadelphia has a postseason batting average of .237, on base percentage of .307, slugging percentage of .442 and have scored 57 runs. Bryce Harper has been phenomenal with a batting average of .419 (18-43), five home runs, and 11 RBIs. His success has been crucial to this team and will need to continue in this series. The only concerning thing headed into Game 1 is the amount of time they will have had off is more than they have had throughout the entire postseason. If they lose their touch at the plate, it could be a quick series for the Phillies.  

Philadelphia’s bullpen has held opponents to three runs or less in seven of their 11 postseason games. Wheeler and Nola have been a great one two punch and the relievers/closers have handled their business with no major problems. Nola looked great in his first two postseason starts, but struggled most recently against the Padres, giving up seven hits and six runs in 4.2 innings of work. However, he has seen success against Houston in recent past, holding the Astros to two hits and zero runs with nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings in his final outing of the regular season.  

HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Astros 7-0 SU and 4-3 ATS this postseason. The total has gone under in five of their last six games. Going against this trend, the total has gone over in five of their last seven when playing an opponent from the National League. Houston is 6-0 in their past six games at home and 4-1 in their past five games when playing at home against Philadelphia.  

Houston’s offense has not been crazy high scoring this postseason but seem to come up with a big hit every time it’s needed. As a team the Astros have a postseason batting average of .227, on base percentage of .300, slugging percentage of .408 and have scored 31 runs. Jeremey Pena has been having a breakout postseason with a batting average of .303 (10-33), three home runs and five RBIs. Don’t be surprised if Jose Altuve finally gets his bat working at some point this series as he has been struggling to say the least.  

The Astros bullpen have looked near perfect on their road to the World Series. They have held opponents to less than two runs in five of their seven games but will be faced with their biggest task yet when facing this red hot Phillies offense. Verlander will look to keep the bats at bay in Game 1 and has looked a little shaky in his first two postseason starts. He struggled in his first outing against the Mariners, giving up 10 hits and six runs in 4.0 innings. His most recent outing against the Yankees was better but he still put himself in a few sticky situations. The Phillies pounce on every opportunity they get so he will need to avoid that Friday.  

KEY PLAYERS

• PHI: Bryce Harper - DH (Playoffs: .419 AVG, 5 HR, 11 RBI)
• PHI: Kyle Schwarber - OF (Playoffs: .200 AVG, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
• HOU: Jose Altuve - IF (Playoffs: .094 AVG, 3 H, 11 K)
• HOU: Yordan Alvarez - DH (Playoffs: .241 AVG, 2 HR, 8 RBI)

PROBABLE PITCHERS

• PHI: Aaron Nola - RHP
• HOU: Justin Verlander - RHP