Astros take nail-biter in Philly, head back to Houston up 3-2

PHILADELPHIA – If you’re the Philadelphia Phillies, the last thing you want to do is head back to Minute Maid Park in Houston, down 3-2 in the World Series. 

Starting the final of three straight games at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies were hoping for an absolute gem from Noah Syndergaard in order to head back to Houston behind the wheel of the series. 

Unfortunately for them, the Houston Astros seem to be inevitable as they did just enough to grab a 3-2 win to put themselves one win away from their first world title since the 2017 season

Justin Verlander was on the mound for the Astros looking to redeem himself following a rocky game one appearance. And redeem himself he did as the 39-year-old picked up his first World Series win in his ninth appearance. Despite his resume, the veteran has never boasted the best of outings with his first appearance coming way back in 2006. But he was absolutely locked in on Thursday night delivering five complete innings with the only blemish being a solo shot surrendered to Kyle Schwarber in the bottom of the first. 

This was a tight one all the way through as the ‘Stros held a one-run lead from the fourth inning on. But the game saving plays were made on the defensive side of the ball for them, first with Trey Mancinin being inserted into the game for Yuli Gurriel, stopping a hard hit grounder from Kyle Schwarber to retire the inning and save a run. The second came in the bottom of the ninth with the Phils still down just one run. JT Realmuto launched one to straightaway centre field where Chas McCormick scaled the wall to take away extra bases. 

Caleb Pressly was brought in early by Dusty Baker, being asked to record his first five-out save of the season and he did exactly that with the added defensive help. After the game when asked about the catch from McCormick, Pressly was very grateful for his centre fielder. “Yeah, I think I owe him more than a dinner for that one.”  He continued by emphasizing the importance of stepping up in key spots saying, “This is the postseason. There are role spots, whenever that phone rings, you have to be ready to do whatever you need to do.”

The Phillies will turn to Zack Wheeler in a do-or-die situation after he got roughed up in his game two appearance as the Astros will counter with Framber Valdez. Game six goes Saturday at just after 8PM ET.