After taking Game 1 of this World Series Friday night, the underdog Phillies shoot to go up 2-0 when the teams meet for Game 2 Saturday night in Houston. Lefty Framber Valdez tries to get the Astros on the board here against Zack Wheeler for Philadelphia. How are we playing Game 2 with our free World Series Game 2 pick?
World Series Betting Odds
The Game 2 betting lines opened Houston at around -135 over Philadelphia, with an over/under of seven runs. Early betting action then bumped the Astros to -140. Houston began this World Series as a -180 favorite to win it, with Philly getting +150 as the dog. Now, the Phillies are chalked at -115, with the Astros “getting” -105.
World Series Game 2 Betting Preview
Philadelphia grabbed the opener of this World Series Friday night 6-5 in 10 innings. The Phillies spotted Houston the first five runs of the game, then scored three runs in the fourth inning and two in the fifth to tie the score at 5-5. Philly later took the lead with a run in the top of the tenth and hung on for the victory. The Phillies won as +150 dogs on the Game 1 dime line and the game played over a total of 6.5 runs. With Friday’s win, Philadelphia is now 10-2 this postseason. With Friday’s loss, Houston is now 7-1 this postseason. The Astros finished 19 games ahead of the Phillies in the regular-season standings and took two of three games from Philly in the teams’ only meeting three weeks ago. Philadelphia won the first game of that series to clinch its playoff berth; the Astros then won the last two games, which were basically meaningless to both teams.
Game 2 Pitching Match-Up
Valdez hit 24/31 on quality starts this season, and he’s one out short of 2/2 this postseason. Nine days ago, in the ALCS against the Yankees, he allowed two unearned runs and four hits through seven innings, with zero walks and nine strikeouts, in a 3-2 Houston victory. And in the ALDS against Seattle, he allowed two runs through 5 2/3 innings of a 4-2 Astros win. Houston played 21-10 with Valdez during the regular season, and it’s 2-0 with him this postseason. In his only career start against Philadelphia, in a meaningless game three weeks ago, Valdez tossed five scoreless frames, with ten strikeouts, in a 3-2 Houston W. Wheeler hit 16/26 on quality starts this year, and he’s 3/4 this postseason. Last week in the NLCS against the Padres, he allowed two runs and three hits through six innings of a 4-3 Phillies win. And over four starts this postseason, he’s allowed five runs and ten hits through 25 1/3 innings, with three walks against 25 whiffs. Philadelphia played 14-12 with Wheeler during the regular season, and it’s 3-1 with him this postseason. This will be Wheeler’s first career start against the Astros.
Splits With the Sticks
Philadelphia batted .266 against left-handed pitching this season, with a .337 team OBP and a .433 team slugging percentage. The Phillies have also scored at least five runs in 12 games this postseason. Houston slashed .242/.315/.411 against right-handed pitching this season.
The Bullpens
The Astros bullpen recorded an ML-best 2.80 ERA this season, along with a 1.14 WHIP and a 3.06 K/BB ratio. The Phillies bullpen posted a 4.27 ERA, a 1.39 WHIP, and a 2.32 K/BB ratio. But this unit’s been better than that this postseason, closing out five of six save opportunities.
- Get more details: Phillies vs. Astros Game 2 Betting Stats
MLB Betting Trends
- Philadelphia only played 40-41 on the road this season, but it’s 5-2 on the road this postseason.
- The Phillies played 28-18 against left-handed starters this season.
- Houston played 55-26 at home this season and 64-44 against right-handed starters.
Totals Report
- The Overs played 80-75 in Phillies games this season.
- The Unders played a lopsided 93-61 in Astros games.
- The Unders played 47-30 at Minute Maid Park this season.
