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The Houston Astros will take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the World Series on Wednesday. The Phillies routed the Astros on Tuesday night to take a slender 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
In his first World Series at-bat in Philadelphia, megastar Bryce Harper drilled the first offer from Astros SP Lance McCullers deep into the right field bleachers to give his team an early 2-0 lead.
The home run parade was just beginning, with Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh going deep in the bottom of the second, sending a packed Citizens Bank crowd into a frenzy. Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins hit back-to-back dingers in the fifth to chase McCullers out of the game.
McCullers made World Series history, becoming the first pitcher to surrender five home runs in a game. Meanwhile, Phillies SP Ranger Suarez put on a masterclass on how to pitch under the brightest lights.
Suarez, who only got the nod because of Monday's postponement, pitched five shutout innings as the Phillies silenced the usually lethal Houston bats.
Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Betting Odds
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Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Starting Matchup
Now on a four-day break, the Phillies will deploy Aaron Nola in Game 4 of the Fall Classic. The Phillies will need their co-ace to bounce back after getting walloped in Game 1. The righty allowed five runs in 4.1 innings, but the Philadelphia bullpen picked up the pieces in the 6-5 win.
Nola saw his career postseason ERA jump to 4.57 after the game. His Game 1 performance drastically differed from his previous two outings against Houston. Before the Game 1 misadventure, he owned the Astros with 12.2 shutout innings to go with 19 punchouts.
Since starting the postseason with two shutout performances, he has given up 11 runs in nine innings. Nola has become accustomed to pitching like an ace in the confines of Citizens Bank, going a career 44-24 with a 3.18 ERA at home.
Houston swingman Christian Javier will toe the rubber in Game 4. The righty has been irreplaceable since his callup in 2020, going 20-12 with a 3.05 ERA over 78 appearances with 44 starts.
His regular-season success has translated well into the postseason. The Dominican-born 25-year-old is a career 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 26.2 innings. Javier has never faced the Phillies in his career but has been inefficient against the Junior Circuit.
He has a measly 4.33 ERA when facing the National League. His home and road splits have been pretty drastic, with Javier owning a 3.66 ERA on the road compared to a Cy Young caliber 2.52 earned run average at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies Betting Prediction
As amazing as the Phillies have been this series, it's tough to think the Astros could lose back-to-back games against anyone. It's also unfathomable to think Aaron Nola will put up two consecutive stinkers in the playoffs. With those thoughts in mind, it seems inevitable that one, if not both, of these starters will be lights out tonight.
Prediction: Under 7.5 (+100)
