The Philadelphia Phillies host the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series Monday night. The Phillies have been perfect at home in the playoffs, but the Astros have the pitching advantage with the best-of-seven series tied at 1-1.
Lance McCullers Jr. has been named Houston’s Game 3 starting pitcher, while Noah Syndergaard will take the mound for Philadelphia at 8:03 p.m. ET on Fox. Viewers with a cable subscription can watch the pivotal World Series matchup online at foxsports.com/live.
In eight regular-season starts, McCullers posted a 2.27 ERA. The right-hander has made 10 starts in 2022, including the playoffs, always throwing at least five innings and never giving up more than three earned runs. McCullers’ final start before the playoffs was a six-inning, one-run outing against the Phillies.
Syndergaard had a 4.12 ERA in 10 games with Philadelphia after the trade deadline. The veteran has given up one run in 5.1 innings across three postseason games.
Houston hitters have a combined .188 batting average and a .579 OPS in 32 at-bats against Syndergaard. In two starts for the Los Angeles Angels during the first half of the season, Syndergaard went 1-0 against the Astros, giving up three runs and five hits in 9.1 innings.
The Phillies are 5-0 at home this postseason. The Astros are a perfect 3-0 on the road, with their lone loss in the postseason coming against Philadelphia in Game 1.
The Astros have taken a 5-0 lead in each game of the World Series. Philadelphia mounted a comeback in Game 1, capped off by J.T. Realmuto’s game-winning home run in the 10th inning for a 6-5 victory. Houston held on for a 5-2 victory in Game 2, led by Jose Altuve’s three hits and Alex Bregman’s homer.
After having their way with the Phillies’ top two starters, the Astros are likely to find more success against Syndergaard. Philadelphia’s Game 3 starter hasn’t thrown more than three innings in a month, making it likely that the Phillies’ bullpen will be forced into early action.
McCullers has a 2.77 ERA in 68.1 career playoff innings. Houston’s well-rested bullpen has a 0.89 ERA in 40.2 innings this postseason. As dangerous as Bryce Harper and Philadelphia’s lineup have been in October, the odds are against the Phillies in Game 3.
The Astros are -134 favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook in Game 3. The Phillies have +114 odds to win at home. The over/under is 8.
Prediction: Houston over Philadelphia, 6-3