Tag: World Series

World Series Game 6: Phillies Dream Run Ends, Houston Astros Win the World Series

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

The Philadelphia Phillies improbable run to the World Series has come to an end. The Houston Astros defeated the Phillies in World Series Game 6 by a score of 4-1 to win their second World Championship in 5-years.

Yordan Alvarez’s 3-run home run in the 6th inning turned out to be the game winner.

Both starters engaged in a classic pitches duel.

The Phillies struck first in the 6th on a solo home run from Kyle Schwarber off of Astros’ starter Framber Valdez.

It looked like that’s all the Phillies would need as Zack Wheeler was dealing through five. Things unraveled for the Phillies in the bottom of the 6th inning.

Wheeler hit Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, who may or may not have leaned into the pitch, to start the inning. After a groundout by Jose Altuve and a single by Jeremy Peña, Phillies manager Rob Thomson pulled Wheeler after just 70-pitches.

The move proved to arguably be Thomson’s first —and biggest— mistake as Phils manager.

Continue reading “World Series Game 6: Phillies Dream Run Ends, Houston Astros Win the World Series” →
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World Series Game 6: Zack Wheeler vs. Framber Valdez

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

It’s do or die for the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night in Houston, Texas.  A win and the Fightin’s force a decisive World Series Game 7.  A loss and it’s the end of a magical run for the Phillies, and a lot of questions for management. 

In a rematch of World Series Game 2, the Phillies will look to Zack Wheeler to pitch the game of his life and Houston will counter with Framber Valdez.  First pitch is set for 8:03 PM/Eastern in the Lone Star State. 

  • Date: November 5, 2022
  • Where: Minute Maid Park – Houston, Texas
  • When: 8:03 PM/Eastern 
  • TV: Fox and the Fox Sports App – with Joe Davis and John Smoltz
  • Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP and the Phillies Radio Network – with Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, and Tom McCarthy

Pitching Matchup

Zack Wheeler (1-2, 2.67 ERA) vs. Framber Valdez (2-0, 1.42 ERA)

Wheeler’s Last Outing: 10/29 at HOU (World Series Game 2), 5 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 HR

Valdez’s Last Outing: 10/29 vs PHI (World Series Game 2). 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K

Phillies vs. Valdez in World Series Game 2

  • Kyle Schwarber: 1-for-2, BB
  • Rhys Hoskins: 1-for-2, BB
  • JT Realmuto: 0-for-3, 2 K
  • Bryce Harper: 0-for-3, K, GIDP
  • Nick Castellanos: 1-for-3, 2B, K
  • Jean Segura: 1-for-2, K 

Astros vs. Wheeler in World Series Game 2

  • Jose Altuve: 2-for-3, 2B
  • Jeremy Pena: 1-for-3 , 2B, RBI
  • Yordan Alvarez: 1-for-2, 2B, BB, RBI
  • Alex Bregman: 1-for-3, GIDP, HR, 2 RBI
  • Kyle Tucker: 0-for-2, BB

World Series Game 6 Storylines

  • Do or Die for the Philadelphia Phillies
  • Houston Astros blew a 3-2 lead in the 2019 World Series ( Washington Nationals) with Game 6 and Game 7 at home
  • Philadelphia has never played in a Game 7
  • Zack Wheeler is pitching on 6-days rest due to arm fatigue
  • Framber Valdez shutdown the Phillies in World Series Game 2
  • The Phillies offense has 26 strikeouts in the World Series
  • How long of a leash will Phillies manager Rob Thomson have with Wheeler, Ranger Suarez will be available out of the bullpen
  • Who other than Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper will set up for the Phillies offense

World Series Game 5: Astros Edge Phillies 3-2, Take 3-2 Series Lead

~ Michael Lipinski ~ Leave a comment

The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Thursday night to take a 3-2 series lead. The World Series will shift back to Houston on Saturday night with the Phillies facing elimination.

Houston took a 1-0 lead two batters into the game when Jeremy Peña drove in Jose Altuve with a single off Noah Syndergaard. Syndergaard was able to hold the Astros to the one run in the inning.

Philadelphia punched back when Kyle Schwarber homered off Justin Verlander to lead off the Phillies half of the inning.

That would be all the Phillies could muster until the 8th.

Continue reading “World Series Game 5: Astros Edge Phillies 3-2, Take 3-2 Series Lead” →

“I Really Don’t Give a Shit.” Phillies Turn the Page on World Series Game 4

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

In the course of 48-hours the Philadelphia Phillies ended up on the opposite ends of history.  The Fightin’s offensive performance in World Series Game 3 –five home runs– was record breaking, so it was only natural the Phillies would be no-hit a day later.  In fact, for anyone following the 2022 Phillies, Wednesday’s performance is very “on brand” for the club. 

What’s also on brand, and it should be comforting for Phillies fans, was the response from Phils team leader Kyle Schwarber.

Kyle Schwarber postgame, via NBC Sports Philadelphia
Continue reading ““I Really Don’t Give a Shit.” Phillies Turn the Page on World Series Game 4” →

World Series Game 4: Houston Astros Throw a Combined No-Hitter to Even the World Series

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 2 Comments

Houston Astros starter Cristian Javier threw six no-hit innings and the Astros bullpen— Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly —held the Phillies hitless over the final three innings for the first postseason no hitter since Roy Halladay’s 2010 no hitter. It was the third no-hitter in postseason history. The Astros offense provided 5-runs of support en route to a 5-0 World Series Game 4 victory.

The Astros win ties the series at two games apiece and ensures the World Series returns to Houston.

Continue reading “World Series Game 4: Houston Astros Throw a Combined No-Hitter to Even the World Series” →

World Series Game 3: Phillies Blast Astros into Orbit, Win 7-0

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

The Philadelphia Phillies used the long ball —five of them to be exact— en route to a 7-0 shellacking of the Houston Astros in World Series Game 3. The win gives the Fightin’s a 2-1 series lead and puts them two wins away from a World Championship.

Bryce Harper got the party started for the Phillies in the bottom of the 1st inning depositing a Lance McCullers Jr., pitch deep into the right field seats for a 2-run home run. From there the hit parade was on.

Continue reading “World Series Game 3: Phillies Blast Astros into Orbit, Win 7-0” →

World Series Game 3: Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Noah Syndergaard

~ Section247Staff ~ Leave a comment

Postponed due to rain. Game 3 will now take place Tuesday, November 1.

The Houston Astros scored 5-runs against Philadelphia Phillies starter Zack Wheeler to take Game 2 by a score of 5-2. The ‘Stros win tied the World Series at one game a piece. The series now shifts to Philadelphia for the next three.

The Phillies will send Noah Syndergaard to the mound against Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. First pitch is set for 8:03 PM/Eastern however weather could be an issue on Monday night.

  • Date: October 31, 2022
  • Where: Citizens Bank Park —Philadelphia, PA
  • When: 8:03 PM/Eastern
  • TV: Fox, Fox Sports App —with Joe Davis and John Smoltz
  • Radio: SportsRadio 94WIP and the Phillies Radio Network — with Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, and Tom McCarthy
Continue reading “World Series Game 3: Lance McCullers Jr. vs. Noah Syndergaard” →

World Series: Phillies Pitching Depth to be Tested as the Series Shifts Back to Philadelphia

~ Michael Lipinski ~ 1 Comment

Let’s not get too crazy, the Philadelphia Phillies are sitting in an advantageous position with the World Series tied at one heading to South Philly on Monday. They are undefeated, 5-0, at The Bank and they’ve stolen home field from the Houston Astros.

That should not be understated.

But they’ve done it with both ace’s pitching well below expectations. Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler allowed 5-runs each in less than 10-total innings pitched in Game 1 and Game 2. This forced Phillies manager Rob Thomson to get creative with the bullpen, and by extension, the starting rotation.

This isn’t sustainable if the Phillies want a parade down Broad St in the next week or so. And now, thanks to the lackluster performances by Nola and Wheeler, the Fightin’s will be forced to go deeper into their pitching staff as the World Series hurdles towards critical mass.

There is no margin for error heading into Game 3 and Game 4 with Noah Syndergaard and Ranger Suarez on the mound.

Continue reading “World Series: Phillies Pitching Depth to be Tested as the Series Shifts Back to Philadelphia” →

World Series: Phillies to Start Noah Syndergaard in Game 3, Ranger Suarez in Game 4

~ Section247Staff ~ 1 Comment

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced Noah Syndergaard and Ranger Suarez as the Phillies’ World Series Game 3 and Game 4 starters.

Continue reading “World Series: Phillies to Start Noah Syndergaard in Game 3, Ranger Suarez in Game 4” →