After a thrilling Game 1 that saw the Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Houston Astros 6-5 in extra innings, Game 2 of the 2022 World Series will be played on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
The Phillies became just the sixth team in MLB history to overcome a five-plus run deficit and win. In fact, going into Game 1, teams with a five-plus run lead were 589-18 during the postseason.
Make that 589-19 after a heroic opposite-field home run off the bat of J.T. Realmuto against Astros right-hander Luis Garcia.
The probable pitching matchup will be Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler taking on Houston southpaw Framber Valdez.
Let’s look at current betting odds and determine the best bets and props for Game 2 between the Phillies and Astros.
Phillies vs Astros Game 2 Odds
Despite a Game 1 loss, the Astros are a sizeable favorite in Game 2, with the Over/Under set at seven runs on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Phillies vs Astros Game 2 Prediction
Phillies 3, Astros 2
Wheeler is 1-1 with a 1.78 ERA this postseason over four starts with 25 strikeouts and three walks over 25 1/34 innings. The Phillies right-hander does not have much experience against this Astros lineup, which bodes well in his favor. In fact, no Astros hitter has more than four big league at-bats versus the Phillies ace.
Meanwhile, Valdez is 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA this postseason with a 0.87 WHIP over 12 2.3 innings. However, the left-hander was 0-1 with a 19.29 ERA in two World Series starts against the Atlanta Braves last year. Valdez has gone on record that emotions may have gotten the best of him, and he is expecting a better performance this time out.
Experience is invaluable in situations like this, and it is impossible to know how Wheeler will be affected as well. That said, last year’s hiccup on the grandest stage by Valdez can’t be ignored entirely.
The Phillies lineup does not have a great deal of experience against the Astros southpaw, with the only hitters with over five at-bats being a combined 2-for-18 (Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber).
The bottom line is that, once again, this looks like a pitcher’s duel on paper. Valdez is a ground ball machine, and Wheeler has been spectacular all season long. So naturally, it will turn into a shootout, but for now, I am betting on a low-scoring game with the Phillies taking a shocking two-games-to-none lead in the World Series.
Phillies vs Astros Game 2 Best Bet
Phillies Moneyline & Under 7.5 Runs (+250) at FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds posted are as of Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. on FanDuel Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
As mentioned above, I expect a low-scoring affair in Game 2 with Wheeler and Valdez on the mound. In addition, the gap between the Phillies’ and Astros’ moneyline is a bit egregious, considering the pitching matchup.
I will take the Phillies, again, to upset the American League champions on their home field. Believe me; I was not expecting to do this either.
Phillies vs Astros Game 2 Props
Zack Wheeler: Over 4.5 Strikeouts (-136) at FanDuel Sportsbook
Odds posted are as of Oct. 29 at 8 a.m. on FanDuel Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
The Astros are one of the most challenging teams to strike out this season. In fact, they carried the 2nd-lowest K rate in MLB at 19.5%.
That said, the Over/Under is set at just 4.5 strikeouts for Wheeler, which is attainable for the right-hander regardless of the opponent. The Phillies right-hander struck out eight in each of his last two outings this postseason and has collected at least five in three out of four.
