Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Game 2 Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Philadelphia Phillies will take on the Houston Astros for Game 2 of the World Series Saturday night. 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 took Game 1 and will have a solid chance at a 2-0 series lead with their ace taking the mound Saturday night. After getting down early in Game 1, Philadelphia once again showed their resilience and made an incredible comeback. The offense finished with nine hits, six runs, and went 4-10 with runners in scoring position. J.T Realmuto was the hero of the game as he hit the go-ahead home run in the top of the 10th inning to give the Phillies a 6-5 lead. Starting pitcher Aarron Nola struggled, giving up six hits and five runs in 4.1 innings. The other five pitchers used gave up a combined four hits and zero runs in 5.2 innings. The right-hander Zack Wheeler (Postseason: 1-1, 1.78 ERA) will start Game 2.  

Houston looked like they had Game 1 wrapped up after jumping out to a 5-0 lead, but Verlander struggled at the mound and allowed the Phillies offense to climb back into the game. Houston’s offense finished with 10 hits, five runs, and went 2-8 with runners in scoring position. The Astros had their chance in the bottom of the 10th with a man on second and third but failed to execute. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander allowed six hits and five runs in 5.0 innings of work. The other six pitchers used gave up three hits and one run in 5.1 innings. Southpaw pitcher Framber Valdez (Postseason: 1-0, 1.42 ERA) is expected to start Saturday. 

The bats were working in Game 1, but I would not expect as much offensive production with Wheeler and Valdez taking the mound Saturday. There is definitely value in backing the Phillies moneyline in Game 2 with the momentum they have but Wheeler will have to give them 7.0 innings in this one which may be a big ask regardless of how good he has been. Backing the Astros in Game 2 as I think the backend of the Phillies bullpen will blow it tomorrow.  

Score Prediction: Astros 3, Phillies 2
Best Bet: Astros ML (-138)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING ODDS

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PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES vs. HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING RESOURCES

• Date: Saturday, October 29, 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

The Phillies are 10-2 SU and 10-2 ATS in these playoffs. The total has gone over in six of Philadelphia’s last eight games. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in four of their last six when playing an opponent from the AL West. The Phillies are 5-2 in their past seven games on the road and 2-4 in their last six games when playing on the road against Houston. 

 Philadelphia’s offense continues to impress after a comeback win in Game 1. They have been great throughout this postseason with a batting average of .236, on base percentage of .309, slugging percentage of .436 and have scored 63 runs. Bryce Harper had another productive day in Game 1, going 2-4 at the plate. He’s now 20-47 with five home runs and 11 RBIs this postseason. J.T Realmuto was solid as well in Game 1, going 2-4 at the plate including the go-ahead home run in the top of 10th.  

The Phillies bullpen used most of their major assets in Game 1 and it paid off big time for them. Nola struggled in his start, but the rest of the crew held the Astros scoreless. Wheeler will look to send his ball club back home with a 2-0 series lead. He has been great this postseason and has allowed just five runs in four starts. In his most recent outing against the Padres, Wheeler went 6.1 innings and gave up four hits and two runs. 

HOUSTON ASTROS BETTING ANALYSIS

Houston is 7-1 SU and 4-4 ATS this postseason. The total has gone under in five of the Astros' last seven games. Going against this trend, the total has gone over in six of their last eight when playing an opponent from the National League. The Astros are 9-1 in their past 10 games and 5-2 in their past seven games when playing at home against the Phillies.  

The Astros offense was solid in Game 1 but did fail to execute in situations they normally would. Throughout the postseason Houston has a batting average of .231, on base percentage of .304, slugging percentage of .415 and have scored 36 runs. Kyle Tucker was a monster in Game 1, going 3-5 at the plate with two home runs and four RBIs. Pena, Alvarez, and Bregman all struggled but I would not expect that to last long.  

Old man Verlander struggled to hold a five-run lead in Game 1, but the rest of the bullpen pitched well aside from Luis Garcia giving up a solo shot in the top of tenth. Framber Valdez will look to put his team in a position to even up the series in Game 2. Valdez has made two starts this postseason, most recently giving up four hits and two runs in 7.0 innings against the Yankees in the ALCS.  

KEY PLAYERS

• PHI: Bryce Harper - DH (Last Game: 2-4, BB, R)
• PHI: JT Realmuto - C (Last Game: 2-4, BB, HR, 3 RBI)
• HOU: Jose Altuve - IF (Last Game: 1-5, SB, K)
• HOU: Kyle Tucker - OF (Last Game: 3-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

PROBABLE PITCHERS

• PHI: Zack Wheeler - RHP
• HOU: Framber Valdez - LHP