Phillies can’t figure out Astros pitching in World Series game 2 loss
The Phillies staked the Astros a 5-run lead for the second straight game, but were unable to reproduce the magical comeback of the night before, falling to Houston 5-2 in Game 2 of the World Series.
Astros Beat Phillies; World Series Tied 1-1
- Winning Pitcher: Framber Valdez (2-0, 1.42)
- Losing Pitcher: Zack Wheeler (1-2, 2.67)
- Save:
It was obvious from the jump that Zack Wheeler simply didn’t have his best stuff in Game 2 on Saturday night. Wheeler left what seemed like his first five pitches out over the plate like meatballs and the Astros took advantage jumping out to a 3-0 lead after the 1st inning.
After the tragic 1st inning that included a throwing error, Wheeler then managed to settle down holding the Astros scoreless over the next 3 frames until Alex Bregman murdered a 2-run shot to center field on a slider left out over the plate to make it 5-0 Astros.
The Phillies offense, although the had a few opportunities, never truly figured out Astros starting pitcher Framer Valdez who was lighting the internet on fire with claims he had a foreign substance on his hand. At one point Valdez showed up on the mound with a different color glove than the inning before. In the end, I don’t think he was cheating but it sure looked odd how he was rubbing the pad of his palm time and time again between pitches.
For the Phillies the series truly begins on Monday when they will start to face the reality of their razor thin pitching depth. Rob Thompson has had a near flawless run making important managerial decisions in the postseason but will be faced with perhaps his toughest task in navigating this exploding Astros lineup without a true shutdown pitcher left at his disposal.
I would expect Ranger Suarez to be on the mound in Game 3, despite the fact that he had to throw an inning of relief in Friday night’s Game 1 victory. If for some reason Suarez is unable to go, Noah Syndergaard or some combination of bullpen arms would be the choice now that Bailey Falter is no longer on the playoff roster.
I’m not sure that Thompson really has a good choice. But that’s been the juice that this ball club has been running off over the last month. Just when everyone begins to doubt their chances is when they rise to the occasion and make something special happen.
The story of the World Series is going to come down to whether the Phillies are able to play above their talent level in front of a jam packed home crowd in Game 3, 4, and 5. The magic has been in South Philadelphia all October and I don’t see any good reason why the Phillies don’t take 2 out of 3 games at home to put them within one win of a World Series championship.Â
***UPDATE***
Just as I was posting this recap, the Phillies announced in a surprise move that Noah Syndergaard will take the mound in Game 3 in Philadelphia on Monday night. Clearly, Rob Thompson would rather have a fully rested Ranger Suarez, Aaron Nola, and Zack Wheeler in Game 4, 5, and 6 then risking rushing them to the mound a game early.
So there it is, the fact that a nearly washed up Syndergaard will take the mound in a World Series game is the perfect evidence of just how razor thin this Phillies roster really is. I am getting major Pedro Martinez in Game 6 of the 2009 World Series vibes. Hold on to your seats because this next few days is going to be a roller coaster ride! Excuse me while I pound my head into a door knob.
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies did exactly what they had to do in taking one game in Houston and now will rest up before taking on the Astros in Philadelphia in front of the crazy crowd at Citizens Bank Park on Monday with the first pitch scheduled for 8:03 pm EST.
FOX will carry the broadcast of the game.
TBD (0-0, 0.00) will take the mound facing off against TBD (0-0, 0.00)
Jose Peña hits the second double in as many pitches in the 1st inning off Zack Wheeler to give the Astros a quick lead.
1-0 Astros
Yordan Alvarez hits the third straight double off Zack Wheeler to add to the Astros early lead with nobody out.
2-0 Astros
Yuli Gurriel hits an easy ground ball to Edmundo Sosa who makes a poor throw that Rhys Hoskins cant scoop out of the dirt.
3-0 Astros
Alex Bregman grounds into a double play for the first and second out of the 3rd inning.
Alec Bohm makes a great leaping catch off the bat of Martin Maldonado for the final out of the 4th inning.
Alex Bregman crushes a two run shot 405 to deep left center off Zack Wheeler in the bottom of the 5th inning.
5-0 Astros
Alec Bohm makes another nice play at the hot corner to get the final out of the 5th inning.
Andrew Bellatti cruises through the first two batters and then strikes out Martin Maldonado swinging for the final out of the 6th inning.
Nick Castellanos knocks a leadoff double off Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez in the 7th inning.
After Framber Valdez exits the game in the 7th inning, Jean Segura finally puts the Phils on the scoreboard with a sacrifice fly to drive Nick Castellanos home from third.
5-1 Astros
JT Realmuto throws out Jose Altuve attempting to steal second base. I don’t know why anyone ever tries to run on the best catcher in baseball.
Kyle Schwarber just misses a home run in the 8th inning after having another home run called foul on the pitch before. Im going to have a heart attack!
Jose Altuve field the ground ball off the bat of JT Realmuto and then flips the ball to nobody at second base.
Bryce Harper pops up to shallow centerfield for the final out of the 8th inning. Pain.
Alec Bohm crushes a lead off double off the left field wall to open in the 9th inning.
Yulli Gurriel commits an error on a potential game ending ground ball at first base giving the Phils their second run of the game and cutting the lead to 3 runs.
5-2 Astros
Mandatory Photo Credit: Associated Press
