Win or Go Home: Zack Wheeler and the Phillies look to send World Series to Game 7 tonight in Houston
The Philadelphia Phillies are back in Houston for Game 6 of the World Series against the Astros tonight at 8:03PM.
Honestly, if you look at the Phillies’ starting rotation, it’s pretty wild that this World Series has even gone to a Game 6. Both Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola have struggled in a combined three appearances so far against the Astros. Nola coughed up 5 runs in Game 1 and but the Fightins were able to storm back and win in extras, while Wheeler got roughed up early and lost Game 2.
Ranger Suarez won Game 3 backed by five home runs from the Phillies’ offense, before Nola took the mound in Game 4 and the Phillies got no-hit in a miserable loss at home.Â
Then of course, Game 5 happened, where the offense game up short after a valiant effort from Noah Syndergaard and the bullpen.Â
Now, it’s win or go home and the Phillies desperately need some of the magic that carried them past the Cardinals, Braves, and Padres to return tonight in Houston with Zack Wheeler on the mound.
Wheeler allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits while walking three over five innings of work in Game 2. Tonight, he will be pitching on six days rest in what will be his final appearance of the season.
Opposing Wheeler, will be Framber Valdez who allowed just one earned run over 6.2 innings in Game 2. The left handed pitcher has a 1.42 ERA this post season and will certainly test a Phillies lineup that has gone cold since hitting five home runs in Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday.
The Phillies need to get back on track at the plate. They are now just 1-for-23 with runners in scoring position since the fifth inning of Game 1 in Houston and key players like Rhys Hoskins and Nick Castellanos have both hit cold spells at the worst possible time.
Hoskins, Castellanos, and Realmuto are now a combined 0-for-25 over the last two games, and it’s hard to imagine that Schwarber or Harper will see many pitches tonight, so that certainly needs to change if the Phillies want to push this series to Game 7 tomorrow night.Â
World Series Game 6: Philadelphia Phillies @ Houston Astros – 8:03PM – Minute Maid Park
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEY | TOTAL |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1.5 (-188) | +124 | O 7 (+104) |
| Houston Astros | -1.5 (+155) | -146 | U 7 (-128) |
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Look, I know that Game 5 absolutely crushed the souls of Phillies fans. The Chas McCormick catch in right-center, and the missed opportunities at the plate from Rhys Hoskins and Nick Castellanos sent social media into the depths of hell. Losing two straight at Citizens Bank Park with one being a no-hitter and the other a 3-2 baseball game was just an awful way to fall behind 3-2 in the World Series.
I get it, but the Phillies are certainly not dead yet. In fact, losing two in Philadelphia and going on the road and winning. the next two games in Houston to be crowned World Champions is exactly the type of thing that would happen for this Phillies team, who has defied all critics and odds this postseason.
It has been an incredible journey through the playoffs and whatever happens tonight, won’t change the fact that the Phillies managed to capture the hearts of Philadelphia once again. I do believe we win tonight in a very close game featuring to elite pitching performances from Wheeler and Valdez to force a Game 7 tomorrow night. It’s time to lock in. Embrace the pain, stress, and anxiety, and let’s see if the Phillies can pull off the impossible this weekend.
The Fightins. For All Things Holy.
Phillies +124
Mandatory Credit: (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
