World Series 2022: Top Storylines for Astros vs. Phillies Game 4
The Philadelphia Phillies are in control of the 2022 World Series.
The Phillies mashed five home runs against the Houston Astros in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead that feels close to insurmountable with two games left inside Citizens Bank Park.
Philadelphia is in a great position to succeed with its pitching in Wednesday's Game 4 with Aaron Nola set to take the hill. Nola was able to start Game 4 because Monday's rainout pushed back the schedule by one day.
Houston is sticking with its plan by throwing Cristian Javier in Game 4. The Astros need Javier to pitch better than Lance McCullers Jr. did in Game 3 to even have a chance of breaking the Phillies' perfect postseason home record.
The Astros can draw hope from their five-run tally, powered by Kyle Tucker's two home runs, in Game 1.
Philadelphia owns the momentum in the series right now, but if Houston can find a way to win Game 4, it positions itself for success because of its pitching setup for the rest of the series.
Phillies Trying to Remain Unbeaten at Home in Postseason
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Philadelphia extended its home winning streak in the postseason to six games on Tuesday night.
The Phillies have used their power bats to win most of their playoff contests inside Citizens Bank Park.
Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Co. produced 40 runs at home. Tuesday's seven-run total was the team's fourth-highest home total in the postseason.
Philadelphia mashed five home runs off Lance McCullers Jr., starting with Harper's two-run shot in the first inning.
The Phillies could use another early long ball to put the crowd further behind them and increase the pressure on the Astros.
The difference between Games 3 and 4 is that the Phillies have not seen Cristian Javier. They saw McCullers at the end of the regular season, and that may have helped the Phillies with their approach at the plate.
Game 4's pitching matchup may not matter to the Phillies because of the confidence they have at home, and the crowd could once again propel them to a memorable victory.
Can Houston Get to Aaron Nola Again?
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Houston drew first blood in the World Series by getting five runs off Aaron Nola in the second and third innings of Game 1.
Philadelphia came back to win that game in extra innings, but the runs off Nola could serve as a confidence boost for the Astros going into Game 4.
Nola conceded 11 earned runs in his last two postseason starts against the Astros in Game 1 and versus the San Diego Padres in NLCS Game 2.
Nola could be a different pitcher on his home mound, but Houston needs to try to get to him early, just like in Game 1.
Kyle Tucker's two home runs headlined the pair of rallies, but Houston also received key hits from the bottom of the order. Martin Maldonado accounted for the only non-Tucker-produced run with an RBI single.
Houston is putting trust behind Cristian Javier to turn in another massive road performance on the mound. He gave up one hit in his ALCS start versus the New York Yankees.
Philadelphia has not seen Javier pitch in person. That could be the difference compared to Game 3 since the Phillies saw Lance McCullers at the end of the regular season.
If the Astros get to Nola again, it could set up a scenario in which they clinch the World Series at home in Game 6 since Justin Verlander is taking on a bullpen game from the Phillies in Game 5.
At minimum, a win on Wednesday would ease some nerves within the Houston clubhouse and guarantee a return to Minute Maid Park.
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