The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros meet to clash on Friday in Game 1 of the 2022 World Series.
It has been a very different journey for both teams leading up to the World Series. Houston cruised to the best record in the American League following a superb season. They followed that up by powering through the playoffs, winning seven consecutive games between the ALDS and ALCS.
As for Philadelphia, they narrowly clinched the final NL Wild Card spot. They were forced to go through the Cardinals, Braves, and Padres in the postseason but took care of business in each series.
Nevertheless, the Phillies and Astros will meet at the World Series beginning on Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 8:03 PM EST on October 28th.
Overall Game Info & Outlook
- Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros
- The Phillies defeated the Padres in five games in the NLCS. The Astros swept the Yankees in the ALCS to clinch their World Series berth.
- Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX.
- First pitch is scheduled for 8:03 PM EST on October 28th.
Betting Backdrops Per Team
Philadelphia Phillies Overview:
The Phillies finished off their series with the Padres in a dramatic fashion. Philadelphia trailed late in the game before Bryce Harper stepped up to the plate and smashed a go-ahead home run.
The homer from Harper was as clutch as it gets, and Philadelphia wouldn’t look back.
They will need more dramatic moments if they have any chance of upsetting Houston in the Fall Classic.
Trends:
- The Philadelphia Phillies are 89-94 against the spread this year.
- The Phillies are 46-41 against the spread when playing on the road.
- The Phillies are 39-23 against the spread when playing as an underdog.
- Philadelphia is 28-17 against the spread as an away underdog this season.
Philadelphia has leaned on its offense throughout the year. They are ranked eighth in batting average, ninth in OBP, sixth in slugging percentage, seventh in runs scored, and sixth in home runs, offensive-wise.
Pitching-wise, they are ranked 17th in team ERA, 14th in WHIP, fifth in home runs allowed, and 16th in batting average against.
The Phillies’ chances of winning this game will ultimately lean on their offensive production. However, it will be interesting to see how starting pitcher Aaron Nola fares.
Nola is an All-Star caliber pitcher who has endured some ups and downs during the postseason. When he’s on his game, Nola induces soft contact and gets plenty of strikeouts. However, he loses control at times and misses over the heart of the zone.
If Nola labors, then the Phillies lineup may need to drop a massive run total in order to win this game, as the Astros are capable of scoring in a hurry.
But the Phillies’ lineup features no shortage of star power or depth. Bryce Harper is capable of carrying the team, but bats like Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins can turn a game around as well.
Meanwhile, hitters such as Alec Bohm and Bryston Stott have talent near the bottom of the order.
The Phillies will not go down without a fight despite playing as a fairly heavy underdog.
Houston Astros Overview:
The Astros took care of business in the postseason. They swept the Mariners to kick things off before sweeping New York in the ALCS. It was an impressive effort against a pair of talented ball clubs.
But can they maintain their dominance in the World Series?
Trends:
- The Houston Astros are 90-79 against the spread this year.
- The Astros are 43-42 against the spread when playing at their home field.
- The Astros are 72-74 against the spread when playing as a favorite.
- Houston is 41-41 against the spread as a home favorite this season.
The Astros’ balance is what makes them such a complete team. Their ability to play well on both sides of the ball leaves opponents frustrated on a consistent basis.
Houston ranks 12th in batting average, seventh in OBP, fifth in slugging percentage, eighth in runs scored, and fourth in home runs.
On the pitching side of the equation, they are second in team ERA, second in WHIP, second in home runs allowed, and second in batting average against.
The Astros are rolling with Justin Verlander in Game 1. Verlander struggled against the Mariners but bounced back with a quality effort against the Yankees. The right-hander is one of the best pitchers in baseball and will give Houston a chance to win in Game 1.
With that being said, the Phillies’ extraordinary lineup could do some damage against Verlander. They tend to make even the best pitchers work for every single out.
Verlander vs Philadelphia projects to be an exciting affair. The Astros lineup will need to provide him with some run support in order to earn a win on Friday.
They will love to cover the home run line and reward bettors who roll with them.
Philadelphia Phillies at Houston Astros: Odds & Picks
Odds for this Matchup:
| Teams | Moneyline | Total | Run Line |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +149 | O/6.5 | +1.5 |
| Houston Astros | -162 | U/6.5 | -1.5 |
The Astros are convincing favorites in Game 1. However, Philadelphia does feature some upset potential. On which team should you place your money in this game?
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Recommended Pick:
The team that wins Game 1 tends to fare well in the World Series. It doesn’t guarantee that they will win it all, but it does spark the necessary momentum.
Houston is in line for a strong effort at home with Verlander on the bump. They should be able to get the job done in front of the home faithful in Houston to open the World Series.
Go ahead and place your Game 1 bets on the Houston Astros -1.5.
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