World Series 2022: Top Storylines for Phillies vs. Astros Game 6

The Houston Astros will try to win the 2022 World Series by doing something they have not done during their recent reign of power in Major League Baseball.

Houston is 0-3 in Game 6 of the World Series in its three previous appearances since 2017. It lost the Fall Classic at this stage last year to the Atlanta Braves.

But the biggest storyline going into Saturday's Game 6 does not involve the Astros. Instead, it is about Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler.

Wheeler was one of the postseason's most dominant pitchers until he got to Game 2 in Houston, when the Astros took advantage of a velocity dip and leveled the series.

The Phillies gave Wheeler extra time to rest, instead of starting him in Game 5, and they need the Wheeler from the previous three playoff rounds to show up inside Minute Maid Park.

Philadelphia's pitching approach is fascinating as a whole because Rob Thomson could use Ranger Suárez in relief for the third time this postseason and set up Aaron Nola to start Game 7.

The National League champion needs a near-perfect pitching performance because it is going up against Framber Valdez, who has arguably been the best pitcher in the majors this postseason.

Valdez could end Houston's bad run of form in World Series Game 6s by replicating his Game 2 performance against Philadelphia.

Philadelphia's Pitching Strategy

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson looks on during practice ahead of Game 1 of the baseball NL Championship Series against the San Diego Padres, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in San Diego. The Padres host the Phillies for Game 1 Oct. 18. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson pressed most of the right buttons with his pitching strategy throughout the postseason.

Thomson's aggressiveness with his high-leverage bullpen arms behind Aaron Nola in Game 1 quieted the Houston Astros bats for six innings.

He took advantage of the Monday postponement and started Ranger Suárez in Game 3. The Phillies won that game.

Houston outpitched the Phillies in Games 4 and 5, but Thomson could have one more trick up his sleeve to keep the series alive for one more day.

Zack Wheeler was purposely held back to start Game 6 to get an extra two days of rest. He could have started Game 5 on full rest after the rainout pushed every game back by a day.

Wheeler gave up five runs in five innings in Game 2. He allowed five earned runs in 25.1 innings across his first four postseason starts.

If the dominant version of Wheeler shows up, even for one time through the order, the Phillies could set up to keep the Astros off balance for the entire game.

Suárez, who is slated to start Game 7, could enter in relief at some point. He has two other relief appearances in the postseason, with the last one coming in World Series Game 1.

Thomson's aggressiveness with his top bullpen arms could be on display again. Jose Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez could appear before the seventh inning depending on the situation.

If Wheeler matches Framber Valdez, or the bullpen shuts down the Astros, the Phillies could force the series to go the distance. Staying alive at all costs will be the goal on Saturday. Once the Phillies get to Game 7, they can figure out how their pitching will line up.

Astros Attempting to Break Game 6 Trend

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena celebrates his home run during the fourth inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Houston Astros have not won a Game 6 in the World Series in franchise history.

Houston comes into Saturday with an 0-3 mark in Game 6s. The Astros fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017, Washington Nationals in 2019 and Atlanta Braves in 2021.

Only one of those losses ended the Astros' season. Atlanta's Game 6 victory at Minute Maid Park last year handed the Braves the title.

The Dodgers and Nationals both forced a Game 7 after facing a 3-2 deficit against the Astros.

The 2017 and 2019 Game 6 losses came with A.J. Hinch as manager, but some of the players from those teams are still on the Houston roster, like Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman.

The Game 6 record may not have an affect on how Houston approaches Saturday's game because it comes into it with all the momentum in the series.

Dusty Baker's team just needs to follow the same path it carved in Games 4 and 5 to hoist the World Series trophy on Saturday night.

Houston can once again get a strong pitching performance from its starter. Framber Valdez conceded three earned runs in three starts this postseason.

The Astros have also received timely hitting throughout the World Series, and it may just take one or two clutch hits to make the lead feel insurmountable if Valdez and the top bullpen arms are at their best.