Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Game 3 Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Houston Astros will travel to take on the Philadelphia Phillies for Game 3 of the World Series on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 8:03 PM ET at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and can be viewed on FOX.  

HOUSTON ASTROS vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES BETTING PREDICTION

The Houston Astros handled business in Game 2 of the World Series and will head to Philadelphia with the series tied 1-1. Similar to Game 1 the Astros got off to another hot start, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first followed by a two-run shot by Bregman in the fifth to extend the lead. The offense finished the day with seven hits, five runs, and went 2-5 with runners in scoring position. Starting pitcher Framber Valdez had a dominant performance, holding the Phillies to four hits and one run in 6.1 innings. The other two pitchers used gave up a combined two hits and one run in 2.2 innings of work. Right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr (Postseason: 11.0 innings pitched, 2.45 ERA) will start Game 3.  

Philadelphia struggled a bit in Game 2 but have to be happy with a tied series headed back home. Citizens Bank Park has been the loudest park throughout the postseason and I would expect no different on Monday night. The Phillies offense finished Game 2 with six hits, two runs, and went 0-7 with runners in scoring position. They had their fair share of chances, but this Astros bullpen is no joke. Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler went 5.0 innings and gave up six hits and five runs. The other three pitchers used held Houston to one hit and zero runs in 3.0 innings.

Game 3 should be an even matchup. The Astros will have a slight advantage on the mound, but the Phillies will have the home crowd that should be rocking. I could see the result going either way and think the best play is backing the total to go over. Philadelphia loves to score runs at home and Houston should see success against Suarez. Backing the over in Game 3.  

Score Prediction: Phillies 5, Astros 4
Best Bet: Over 8 Runs (-105)

HOUSTON ASTROS vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES BETTING ODDS

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HOUSTON ASTROS vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES BETTING RESOURCES

• Date: Monday, October 31, 2022
• Matchup: AL West vs. NL East
• Venue: Citizens Bank Park
• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Time-TV: 8:03 p.m. ET – FOX
• Expert Picks

HOUSTON ASTROS ANALYSIS

The Astros are 8-1 SU and 5-4 ATS in these playoffs. The total has gone under in 13 of Houston’s last 20 games in October. Following this trend, the total has gone under in five of their last six games played on a Monday. Houston is 5-0 in their past five road games, 10-1 in their past 11 games, and 2-9 in their past 11 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia.  

Houston’s offense started Game 2 with three straight doubles including a lead-off double by a struggling Jose Altuve. A two-run bomb by Bregman in the fifth set the bullpen up with another five-run lead, only today they managed to keep Philadelphia’s bats out of it. The Astros offense has been consistent throughout the postseason with a batting average of .231, on base percentage of .304, slugging percentage of .417 and have scored 41 runs. Houston will need to get things going early in Game 3 as well to try and keep the crowd out of it.  

Valdez had a dominant Game 2 performance and managed to keep the heart of the Phillies lineup bats at bay. McCullers Jr will look to have a similar performance Monday night, but that could be a big ask at Citizens Bank Park. McCullers Jr has started two games this postseason and has an ERA of 2.45. In his most recent outing against the Yankees in the ALCS, McCullers Jr gave up eight hits and four runs in 5.0 innings of work. I expect him to have a similar performance in Game 3.  

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES BETTING ANALYSIS

The Phillies are 10-3 SU and 10-3 ATS this postseason. The total has gone over in six of their last nine games. Following this trend, the total has gone over in 13 of their last 20 games played in October. Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in their past five games at home and 9-2 in their past 11 games when playing at home against Houston.  

Philadelphia had their second lowest scoring game of the postseason in Game 2. This team thrives on momentum and could not find a way to string together hits against Valdez. Schwarber, Hoskins, and Harper going a combined 2-10 at the plate does not help considering they’ve been the heart and soul of this offense as of late. Throughout the postseason the Phillies have a batting average of .233, on base percentage of .306, slugging percentage of .423 and have scored 65 runs. Expect Philadelphia to have a much easier time stringing together hits in front of this home crowd.  

Wheeler had his first hiccup of the postseason in Game 2, but the good news is that the relievers pitched well, allowing just one hit in 3.0 innings of work. Syndergaard will take the mound Monday for the Phillies and is more than likely expected to go around 3.0 innings. Syndergaard has pitched in three games this postseason and has an ERA of 1.69. In his most recent outing against the Padres, he gave up two hits and zero runs in 1.1 innings of work. Expect the bullpen to be called upon early and often in Game 3.  

KEY PLAYERS

• PHI: Bryce Harper - DH (Last Game: 0-4, K)
• PHI: Kyle Schwarber - OF (Last Game: 1-3, BB)
• HOU: Jose Altuve - IF (Last Game: 3-4, 2B)
• HOU: Alex Bregman - 3B (Last Game: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI)

PROBABLE PITCHERS

• HOU: Lance McCullers Jr. - RHP
• PHI: Ranger Suarez - LHP