(Scroll down for Props below our game 3 intro commentary. Our series intro is here.)
I guess the rain wanted to add to the drama. We are back tonight after an additional unscheduled day off. After Houston took game 2, the series is all tied up at 1-1 and we shift to a raucous venue in Philadelphia for games 3, 4, and 5. The home crowd has fueled the Phillies to a 5-0 record and +20 run differential (35-15) at home this postseason. After the split in Houston, the series is now a best-of-five with 3 in Philly, things are looking positive for this upset story.
One thing that has stood out through the first two games is outside of Astros' Framber Valdez, the star starters of Verlander, Nola, and Wheeler were not their sharp self, each giving up 5 runs. Instead it's been the bullpen who has been stout for both teams with the offense coming out of the gate strong in the early innings of the game. This may continue as we get deeper into the pitching rotation.
In game 3, the Astros send out Lance McCullers Jr. who allowed the most runs of his season in his most recent start vs the Yankees. For the Phillies, their lefty homegrown talented mostly starter, sometimes reliever, Ranger Suarez, takes the bump. The last two times we've seen him this postseason, most recently in game 1, was out of the bullpen in high leverage situations that called for a left-handed pitcher. He was more than ready for those bullpen calls and pitched great in his two starts earlier this postseason. But we know what these two offenses are capable of, will they continue to jump on the starters early or will we get a tight low scoring game into the later innings?
Only one way to find out...
Our Game 3 Props are below to add some additional fun while you watch. All have nearly even chances of happening, so anyone can play. Grab some friendly competition and see who can get the most correct!
Ranger Suarez to give up 2 or more Earned Runs:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Team to winning after the 5th inning:
[ ] Phillies
[ ] Astros
Bryce Harper to score 1 Run or more:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Jose Altuve to have 2 or more Total Bases (from hits only):
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Phillies Total Runs at end of game to be 4 or more:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Team to win:
[ ] Phillies
[ ] Astros
Tiebreaker: Guess the Total Runs scored by both teams combined, closest to the result wins! (Currently estimated to be around 8)
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Photo by Chris6d. Link to license.