MLB Playoff Picture 2022: Storylines for Astros vs. Phillies World Series Game 3
The Houston Astros were lauded for their pitching depth going into the 2022 World Series.
Now, they have a chance show off that asset in Monday's Game 3 against the Philadelphia Phillies inside Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia has created a special environment inside its home stadium, and it needs to build some momentum early on against Lance McCullers Jr. to avoid a continuation of the Astros' strong pitching from Game 2.
The Phillies will counter McCullers with Noah Syndergaard, who was not used much in the first three rounds of the postseason.
The 30-year-old is not expected to last as long as McCullers on the mound. The Phillies bullpen is expected to shoulder a larger load before Ranger Suarez takes the hill in Game 4.
Houston and Philadelphia are tied at one game apiece, but it feels like Houston has the momentum after its Game 2 win. A second straight victory would be massive for the Astros as they begin a three-game run in The City of Brotherly Love.
Will Houston's Rotation Depth Begin to Show?
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The first two World Series games featured battles between aces.
Aaron Nola and Justin Verlander had even starts in Game 1. The Phillies won that contest on a J.T. Realmuto home run in extra innings.
Framber Valdez had the clear edge over Zack Wheeler in Game 2 and was able to keep the lead provided to him, unlike Verlander the night before.
On paper, Houston has the advantage on the mound in Game 3 with Lance McCullers Jr. facing Noah Syndergaard.
McCullers, 29, started on the road in Seattle and New York this postseason. Six of his last seven postseason starts have come on the road.
The right-hander's lengthy playoff experience away from Houston should help him settle in against the Phillies' top bats and the raucous crowd behind them.
Syndergaard has not been horrible in his three postseason outings, but he lacks length compared to his rival. Thor lasted three innings in his one start this postseason.
The Phillies are essentially running Game 3 like a bullpen game with Syndergaard serving as a three- or four-inning opener. They could try to get 15 outs with their high-leverage relievers with the hope that Ranger Suarez goes six innings in Game 4 and Nola does the same in Game 5.
Rob Thomson has been aggressive with his pitching strategy, so that may keep the Phillies in the game if McCullers is cruising.
Philadelphia's worst-case scenario features the Houston bats getting an early lead again and for the home team's lesser-talented relievers to take over in the middle innings while McCullers cruises.
Can the Phillies Ride Home Wave Again?
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The Phillies have been excellent inside their home ballpark in the postseason.
They took Games 3 and 4 from the Atlanta Braves to finish off the NLDS at home and they won three straight games over the San Diego Padres to close out the NLCS in five games.
Every game inside Citizens Bank Park this postseason has been electric and the same energy will be there on Monday night.
Philadelphia is under pressure to match that energy with another amazing performance. The expectation is to win at least two home games to return to Houston in great shape. A sweep at home seems unlikely, but the team achieved in the last two rounds.
The Phillies flexed their power at home against Atlanta and San Diego, but the long balls may be hard to come by against Houston.
Realmuto's game-winning home run in Game 1 is the only long ball to come from the Phillies lineup in this World Series.
McCullers conceded one home run in his last four postseason starts, so the Phillies may have to get the crowd going with some small ball in the opening frames.
If the Phillies are unable to hit McCullers, the crowd will be taken out of the game a bit and that could play right into Houston's hands as it tries to grab control of the series.
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