World Series Game 3: Back at the Bank, the Phillies will turn to Noah Syndergaard against Lance McCullers
The Philadelphia Phillies are back home for the next three games of the 2022 World Series after splitting two against the Astros in Houston over the weekend.
Rob Thomson went all-in on Friday night and came out with a win in extra innings thanks to a strong effort from the bullpen and a home run courtesy of JT Realmuto. On Saturday night, the Astros came out swinging and tagged Zack Wheeler early, tying up the series 1-1 with a 5-2 victory. Just like the last two series, of course it would have been nice if the Phillies won both games in Houston and could return back to Philly for the next three up 2-0. That just didn’t happen.
Noah Syndergaard vs Lance McCullers Jr
It’s beyond impressive that the Phillies have advanced through the postseason without a true No. 4 Starter. Ranger Suarez will pitch Game 4, and tonight, the Noah Syndergaard will head to the mound looking to give the Fightins a 2-1 series lead in the World Series.
Syndergaard pitched in the Game 4 clincher of the NLDS against Atlanta. He tossed three innings of scoreless baseball before handing it off to the bullpen to close out an 8-3 win. During that game, the Phillies bullpen combined for 15 strikeouts and walked zero. Since the NLDS game on October 15th, Syndergaard has pitched just 1.1 innings and has thrown a total of 17 pitches.
Luckily for Thomson and the bullpen, Zach Eflin, Jose Alvarado, and Seranthony Dominguez were not used during Game 2 in Houston and will all be available to come to the aid of Syndergaard tonight.
Opposing Syndergaard will be Lance McCullers Jr, who the Phillies beat on October 3rd with Aaron Nola on the mound. That game, Nola carried a perfect game into the seventh inning and ultimately put the Phillies in the playoffs. McCullers allowed just one run, a Schwarber home run, on the first pitch of the game.
McCullers threw six innings, allowing six hits, one earned run, and a walk while striking out five Phillies batters. Schwarber had two hits and 2 RBI that game, while Bryson Stott went 3-for-3 with the other RBI. JT Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh all had hits that game as well.
World Series Game 3: Houston Astros @ Philadelphia Phillies – 8:04PM – Citizens Bank Park
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEY | TOTAL |
| Houston Astros | -1.5 (+130) | -130 | O 8 (-105) |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1.5 (-156) | +110 | U 8 (-115) |
Look, obviously having Syndergaard on the mound tonight is raising some concerns among the Phillies faithful but honestly, his task should be an easy one. If Syndergaard can play into the crowd at Citizens Bank Park and navigate through 3-4 innings, limiting the damage to 2-3 runs, then the Phillies can rely on Zach Eflin, Jose Alvarado, and Seranthony Dominguez on the backend of this game to shut down the Astros lineup.
I fully expect to have our lineup hitting off Lance McCullers at home. We have seen time and time again how much our Phillies like to crush baseballs at Citizens Bank Park in October. I also find it really hard to believe that the Astros are going to be able to come into South Philadelphia tonight and leave with a win.
The crowd and weather conditions should make for a “spooky” Halloween night in South Philadelphia.
Assuming they play as scheduled, the Phillies have to win this game tonight.
You want a 2-1 series lead with Ranger Suarez on the mound tomorrow and Aaron Nola at Citizens Bank Park Wednesday. Set the tone. Hit the baseball early and often. Feed off the energy from the crowd. Limit damage from your bullpen game. It sounds simple, because it is simple.
Philadelphia Phillies +110
