Justin Verlander, Jeremy Peña Celebrated by Twitter as Astros Beat Phillies in Game 5
Nov 4, 2022
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander celebrates the last out in the fifth inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in Game 5 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday to take a 3-2 series lead with the championship set to shift back to Minute Maid Park on Saturday.
Houston has the opportunity to win its first title since 2017 in Saturday's Game 6, and it's all thanks to a combination of Justin Verlander and rookie Jeremy Peña.
Verlander tossed five innings in Thursday's win before being replaced by reliever Héctor Neris. He allowed just one run on four hits and struck out six before exiting. The only run he allowed came on a solo shot from Kyle Schwarber in the first inning.
While Verlander has now allowed the most home runs in World Series history, he also got his first World Series victory. The veteran came up huge when it mattered most, and he's now being praised on Twitter for his efforts:
9 career World Series starts - this is the first time Justin Verlander left the game with his team leading
After giving up a leadoff homer to Schwarber, Verlander holds the Phillies right there, allowing one run in five innings (assuming he's done). It was tenuous at times, but he's in line to get his first World Series win if the bullpen can hold a 2-1 lead.
Verlander gets through 5 innings with a 2-1 lead. A terrific performance after the home run by Schwarber. If the bullpen can keep this lead, Verlander will get his first World Series victory in what could be his last game with the Astros. @gallerysports
Crazy to call this a legacy game for a slam-dunk Hall of Famer like Justin Verlander, but that's the vibe this night had. He battled, give him credit. #Astros#WorldSeries
Peña was also praised by Twitter users after he finished with three hits and two RBI in four at-bats. He drove in the team's first run of the game in the first inning and hit a go-ahead solo home run in the fourth inning to put Houston up 2-1.
Jeremy Peña has the poise of a guy who's been doing this for a decade and he's still a rookie. His home run chases Noah Syndergaard and gives Houston a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning.
If you could craft the perfect postseason ballplayer in a lab, you’d end up with something resembling what Jeremy Peña has been this month. Unreal how clutch and poised he has stayed in his first dance.
Peña has been one of Houston's best players throughout the postseason, and they'll need him to continue playing his best in Game 6 if the Astros wan't to claim the World Series title.
As for Verlander, his postseason performance is likely finished, but he etched his name into the history books yet again, and if the Astros go on to win the championship on Saturday, his Game 5 outing will be looked at with even more praise.
Angels Must Stay Patient in Shohei Ohtani Contract Talks amid Latest MLB Trade Rumors
Nov 3, 2022
Shohei Ohtani
This past season, the Los Angeles Angels were able to extend star pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani. However, they were unable to land a commitment beyond the 2023 MLB season.
Naturally, the absence of a long-term deal—along with some postseason comments from the 28-year-old—have led to some offseason trade buzz.
“I have to say
that August and September in particular felt longer to me than last
year," Ohtani said, speaking in Japanese, per Koji Ueda of the Associated Press. “We were not able to play as
many good games as we would like—including 14 consecutive losses. So I
have a rather negative impression of this season."
With Ohtani disappointed in how things went for the Angels in 2022, teams have wondered if he'd be happier playing elsewhere—and if L.A. would be willing to deal the megastar.
According to SNY's Andy Martino, Los Angeles is not interested in making the two-time All-Star available.
"The Angels are showing no appetite to discuss Ohtani at present, say several teams who have checked in," he wrote.
While dealing Ohtani would undoubtedly bring back a valuable package of picks and prospects, L.A. would be wise to stay patient and continue working on a long-term deal.
There are a couple of reasons for this, the first being that the Angels have no reason to rush. Ohtani is under team control for another season, thanks to the one-year, $30 million extension. There's no reason to panic-trade him at the present.
While Ohtani may be displeased with how things have unfolded in L.A.—the Angels last made the postseason in 2014—that doesn't mean he's unhappy with the organization itself. It simply means that he wants to win, and the team has an opportunity to show him it can do just that.
Rather than trading Ohtani and starting another rebuild, the Angels should focus on improving the roster in free agency. Chasing one of the impending free-agent shortstops, like Trea Turner or Carlos Correa (opt-out) would make a ton of sense. Finding another standout outfielder to partner with Mike Trout would also be logical.
Hitting should be a priority, as the Angels scored the sixth-fewest runs in baseball last season.
Ohtani and Trout form a fine foundation. With another high-end piece or two, the Angels should be able to improve on last year's 73-89 record.
Forging a contender should help make Ohtani happy and therefore more likely to sign a long-term deal. And keeping the unique superstar for the long haul should be Priority No. 1 in Los Angeles.
Ohtani can be the centerpiece of a perennial contender. This past season, he batted .273 with 34 home runs and 95 RBI. He also went 15-9 as a starting pitcher with a 2.33 ERA.
Shohei Ohtani this season became the very first MLB player in the entire World Series era to qualify for the leaderboards as both a hitter and a pitcher in the same year. 🦄 pic.twitter.com/bJosE6YuAs
The Angels essentially have two stars—an ace pitcher and a standout hitter—in one player. That's great for the on-field product. It's also important for the bottom line. With all due respect to Trout, Ohtani is the franchise's biggest draw and one of the few players in the sport casual fans will turn up to see.
This leads us to another important factor to consider: The fact that the Angels are up for sale.
"The Los Angeles Angels will be sold for at least $3 billion, a record price for a baseball franchise, several MLB owners believe," USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote last month. "The negotiations are brisk, and the sale is expected to be consummated within the next few months."
As a product, the Angels will be much more attractive with Ohtani on the roster. Therefore, it's already unlikely that he will be dealt before the franchise changes ownership.
In the interim, the team's decision-makers, including general manager Perry Minasian, must continue laying the foundation for a more permanent contract. The executive must also be aggressive in putting more talent around players like Ohtani, Trout and Jared Walsh.
Having a stronger foundation will help Los Angeles get back to the postseason in the near future and help ensure that Ohtani wants to stick around for the foreseeable future.
If the Angels can't provide that, if L.A. struggles in 2023 and if Ohtani is still unwilling to commit beyond this season? Well, Los Angeles will still be able to flip Ohtani for a huge package at the trade deadline.
Astros' Dusty Baker Says Cristian Javier 'Was Electric' in Combined No-Hitter
Nov 3, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning in Game Four of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 02, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Cristian Javier was just what the Houston Astros needed Wednesday.
After Lance McCullers Jr. allowed five home runs in Tuesday's loss in Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, Javier turned in a brilliant performance while spearheading a combined no-hitter in Houston's 5-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Wednesday's Game 4.
"He was electric," manager Dusty Baker told reporters. "Calm and cool."
There was no shortage of pressure as the right-hander took the ball with the American League representatives facing a 2-1 deficit in the series and two more games on the road, but he turned in a masterpiece.
Javier struck out nine and walked two in six hitless innings of scoreless work. Baker decided to pull him after 97 pitches, and the bullpen combination of Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly finished the job.
It was a dramatic turnaround after the Phillies seemingly destroyed everything McCullers threw in Game 3.
Thanks to the pitching performance, the Astros handed Philadelphia its first home loss of the playoffs and silenced the raucous crowd of nearly 46,000 for at least a night. Thursday's Game 5 is now a critical swing contest before the series shifts back to Houston for Game 6 and, if necessary, the decisive Game 7.
Javier figures to see the mound again if the series stretches the distance, given how well he has pitched in these playoffs.
He gave up one earned run and allowed just two hits in 6.2 combined innings in his previous two postseason appearances against the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees.
He may be overshadowed by Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez in the Houston rotation, but nobody is pitching better than the 25-year-old after his latest outing.
He struck out five in a row at one point during the middle portion of the contest and consistently induced weak contact when the Phillies did find a way to put the ball in play.
Baker recognized the importance of Javier's showing and had nothing but praise for the pitcher in the aftermath.
MLB Twitter Hyped by Cristian Javier, Astros' No-Hitter in Game 4 Win vs. Phillies
Nov 3, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 02: Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning in Game Four of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 02, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Facing a 2-1 World Series deficit, the Houston Astros needed to come close to perfection in Wednesday's Game 4 if they hoped to avoid being pushed to the brink of elimination. Starting pitcher Cristian Javier and the team's bullpen did just that.
The 25-year-old right-hander threw six no-hit innings with nine strikeouts and two walks to help lead the Astros to a 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies to tie the series at 2-2.
A trio of relievers completed the combined no-hitter for Houston, the second no-hitter in World Series history, joining Don Larsen's 1956 perfect game.
Javier is the first pitcher in MLB history ever to pitch five or more hitless innings while recording nine strikeouts in a World Series game, per the FOX telecast (h/t Sporting News MLB). He's also the first pitcher to carry a no-hit bid through six innings of a World Series game since 1969, according to MLB's Sarah Langs.
Houston reliever Bryan Abreu continued the bid by striking out the side in the seventh, and Rafael Montero followed with a clean eighth inning. Ryan Pressly allowed a walk in the ninth but managed to close things out.
A performance like this was exactly what the Astros needed after Lance McCullers Jr. surrendered five home runs in a 7-0 loss in Game 3 on Tuesday. Javier's dominance paved the way for the Houston hitters to awaken at the plate.
MLB Twitter had no choice but to praise Javier for his historic outing on Wednesday night:
The Astros are the first team in MLB history to throw a combined no-hitter in a postseason game.
Cristian Javier also started Houston's combined no-hitter on June 25th against the Yankees.
No pitcher had started multiple combined no-hitters in their career... until tonight. pic.twitter.com/xMKIa8CmGd
Cristian Javier doesn’t get enough credit for having some of the nastiest shit in the league. I attribute that to him being in a rotation littered with ballers, but Javier is gross.
With the Astros’ season on the line, Cristian Javier just turned in one of the greatest starts in World Series history. Astros fans, don’t take for granted what we’re witnessing during this Golden Era. Every night is a chance at history.
On a staff that includes AL Cy Young Award candidates Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez, Javier is somewhat the forgotten man of Houston's rotation. However, he's shown the potential to be the ace of any pitching staff in the majors.
Javier tied with Valdez to lead the team with 194 strikeouts in the regular season (in nearly 54 fewer innings), and he also started a combined no-hitter against the New York Yankees on June 25.
Wednesday's outing was a star-making performance for Javier, as well as a series-saving game for the Astros. The team is now guaranteed at least one more game in its home ballpark.
Houston will look to keep the momentum going in Thursday's Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park.
Astros' Lance Mccullers Denies Tipping Pitches: 'I Got Whupped. End of Story.'
Nov 2, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 01: Lance McCullers Jr. #43 of the Houston Astros takes a moment prior to pitching against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning in Game Three of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 01, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. had a day to forget Tuesday during Game 3 of the World Series.
"I'm not gonna sit here and say anything like that," he told reporters when asked if he was tipping pitches during the 7-0 loss. "I got whupped. End of story."
McCullers became the first pitcher in MLB history to give up five home runs in one playoff game, and there was plenty of speculation that he was tipping his pitches when Bryce Harper launched a long ball and was then seen telling Alec Bohm something ahead of the latter's at-bat.
All Bohm did was hit a home run as well:
Bryce with a message for Alec Bohm before his at-bat.
Harper's home run started the scoring in the first inning, while Bohm and Brandon Marsh each went deep in the second. Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins then ended the competitive portion of the game with back-to-back blasts in the fifth inning.
Philadelphia is up 2-1 in the series as a result and will have the opportunity to close the championship out with the next two games at home. The Phillies are yet to lose at Citizens Bank Park in the postseason.
While McCullers was potentially tipping pitches, his counterpart cruised through five shutout innings.
Ranger Suárez escaped jams with two runners on base in both the second and fifth innings and struck out four while giving up just three hits. He has been largely brilliant for the National League champions throughout the playoffs with just two runs allowed in 14.2 frames.
It was a far cry from McCullers, who will surely go back and look at some of the film to see if he was truly tipping his pitches during the loss even if he didn't admit it in the postgame press conference.
If he was, expect some changes in his mechanics the next time he takes the mound.
Astros' Dusty Baker Explains Decision to Leave Lance McCullers in vs. Phillies
Nov 2, 2022
Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) is removed from the baseball game by manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, July 21, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
After Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers surrendered five home runs in Tuesday's 7-0 World Series Game 3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, many were left wondering why Astros manager Dusty Baker didn't pull his starter from the game earlier. Baker explained the decision after the game.
"The thought process was the fact that he had had two good innings, two real good innings, and then they hit a blooper, a homer, and then I couldn't get anybody loose," Baker told reporters. "I mean, it was my decision."
Of the six hits McCullers allowed, five left the ballpark, and he is now the only pitcher in MLB history ever to give up five home runs in a World Series game. The 29-year-old was apparently tipping his pitches throughout his 4.1 innings, as the Phillies had no problem picking up his off-speed tosses.
However, McCullers denied tipping pitches, telling reporters after that game that he simply "got whupped."
Before the fifth inning, the Astros faced a manageable 4-0 deficit. But with McCullers facing the top of the Philadelphia lineup for the third time, things got out of hand. Kyle Schwarber launched a two-run homer, and Rhys Hoskins followed with a solo blast to put the game away and send McCullers to the dugout.
What's more puzzling is that Houston's bullpen is a strength of the team, and it got an extra day of rest following Tuesday's rainout. Despite McCullers settling down before his implosion in the fifth inning, Baker still should have had a reliever ready to go if he hoped to keep the game in reach.
McCullers' disappointing outing will undoubtedly be the main talking point coming out of Tuesday's game, but the Astros struggled mightily at the plate and didn't do any favors for their pitching staff. Houston left eight men on base and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position.
The Astros will try to bounce back in Wednesday's Game 4. Cristian Javier is set to start for Houston against Philadelphia's Aaron Nola.
MLB Twitter Roasts Lance McCullers for Possible Pitch Tipping as Astros Lose Game 3
Nov 2, 2022
Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. leaves the game during the fifth inning in Game 3 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. made history in Tuesday's World Series Game 3 against the Philadelphia Phillies, but not the good kind of history.
McCullers became the first pitcher ever to give up five home runs in a postseason game as the Phillies clobbered the Astros 7-0 to take a 2-1 series lead. Philadelphia scored all seven of its runs without even having a runner in scoring position.
It was clear that the Phillies had picked up on something McCullers was doing during his 4.1 innings of work. The 29-year-old right-hander potentially was tipping his pitches as Philadelphia hitters feasted on him before Houston manager Dusty Baker had seen enough.
Star outfielder Bryce Harper, who started the fireworks with a two-run homer in the first inning, was seen telling Alec Bohm something right before Bohm launched a solo blast in the second inning.
Brandon Marsh followed later in the frame with a solo homer of his own, and then Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins went back-to-back in the fifth inning.
MLB Twitter lit up with reactions from fans and pundits during the meltdown by McCullers on Tuesday night, as many believed he was left on the mound for far too long:
McCullers is def tipping his pitches. Not quite as bad, but shades of 2001 G6 Andy Pettitte…
This, given Harper convo w/ Bohm, & also the fact that McCullers' slider is getting same drop it's gotten all season, plus a little extra horizontally, (+2 mph on fastball). Either he's being putting predictable pitches in bad places, or tipping. Don't think it's a lack of stuff. https://t.co/9nqlP2zmKS
Five different #Phillies - Harper, Bohm, Marsh, Schwarber, and Hoskins - have now homered off Lance McCullers, who must’ve really pissed Dusty Baker off at some point.#Phillies
It's the most homers McCullers has given up to left-handed hitters in his career. He also becomes the first World Series pitcher to give up 5 homers in a game. https://t.co/Qr7YvBvLVx
BTW, Dusty Baker is being absolutely out-managed by Rob Thomson during this World Series. Fully rested bullpen coming off two off-days. Lance McCullers Jr. stays in the game. Not good.
The little stuff in baseball is what makes it so great. Phillies picked up on McCullers tipping and exploited it to the tune of 3 💣s early https://t.co/ADVFzELXkb
In addition to those talking about McCullers potentially tipping pitches, here's some good insight from a former catcher and current pro scout. https://t.co/KlCYHm2d4w
McCullers fared much better in his previous two outings this postseason, so it was a surprise to see a pitcher with his experience and caliber struggle to adjust to Philadelphia locking in on his habits. However, it's also on Baker to remove his pitcher before things get too out of hand.
The Astros will try to bounce back when Cristian Javier takes the mound for Wednesday's Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park.
Shohei Ohtani Trade Rumors: Angels 'Showing No Appetite' to Discuss Star With Teams
Nov 1, 2022
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 05: Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches during the first inning against the Oakland Athletics on October 5, 2022, at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Several teams have reportedly reached out to the Los Angeles Angels hoping to trade for two-way star Shohei Ohtani but have been told he's unavailable.
Andy Martino of SNY.tv reported the Angels have "no appetite" to move the 2021 AL MVP despite an impending change in ownership.
Owner Arte Moreno announced his intention to sell the franchise in August, though it's unclear how far along he's gotten in the process. No favorites among prospective buyers have been reported to this point.
The ownership situation is a double-edged sword when it comes to trade talks. Sometimes, rosters are stripped to their bare parts so a new owner can come in and completely revamp the organization in his or her vision. In others, a franchise has a beaming superstar who helps jack up the sale price.
It appears we're firmly in the latter situation with Ohtani. The 28-year-old has emerged as one of baseball's brightest faces, a once-in-a-century superstar who has ace-level stuff on the mound and elite power in the batter's box. He's a virtual certainty to finish in the top-two in AL MVP voting for the second straight season, though it's unlikely he'll be able to top Aaron Judge's 62-homer campaign.
While Ohtani and Mike Trout give the Angels baseball's best one-two punch, it has not translated into success on the field. The Angels have not posted a winning season since 2015 and have made the playoffs just once in the last decade.
With Ohtani set for unrestricted free agency this winter, there's some logic behind trading him now—particularly with the team seemingly nowhere close to competing for a division title.
That said, it appears Moreno and the front office are determined to make that the next regime's decision.
Astros' Justin Verlander: Flipping off Phillies Fans in Video Was 'All in Good Fun'
Oct 31, 2022
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 28: Justin Verlander #35 of the Houston Astros walks off the field in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game One of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 28, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Justin Verlander gave the city of Philadelphia a big old hello on Monday, flipping off a few Philly fans who were talking a bit of trash to him as he got off the team bus.
Verlander said it was meant in the spirit of some good-natured trash talk and nothing else:
All the context Darren… Whole interaction was in jest as all the fans around you were just saying hello in their native tongue. So I responded in kind. 🤣 🤣 all in good fun. I enjoyed the banter. Also, nobody broke the window. Was just like that 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/PSk5jzK2nT
The fans in the video seemed to have a good laugh over the entire exchange, so no harm, no foul. Philly fans are notorious for dishing it out, but this group at least appeared to enjoy Verlander giving it back a little, too.
Games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series will be played in Philadelphia's Citizen Bank Park, where the Phillies are undefeated this postseason. Game 3, which had been scheduled for tonight, has been postponed due to rain.
Nonetheless, expect thousands of fans to have a few things to say to Verlander when he gets his next start, either in Game 4 or 5.
Jose Altuve's 'Vintage' G2 Draws Rave Reviews as Astros Tie World Series vs. Phillies
Oct 30, 2022
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros at bat in the second inning against the Philadelphia Philliesin Game Two of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The 2022 World Series is all evened up as the Houston Astros took Game 2 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Minute Maid Park 5-2 on tremendous performances from starting pitcher Framber Valdez and second baseman José Altuve.
Valdez allowed four hits and one run in 6.1 innings before being replaced by Rafael Montero. He also struck out nine hitters.
Altuve, meanwhile, had his best game of the postseason, notching three hits in four at-bats. Entering Saturday's game, he had just four hits in 37 at-bats (.108 batting average) this postseason.
The three-time batting title winner's performance drew rave reviews on Twitter, and understandably so as the Astros head to Philadelphia with the series tied 1-1 instead of being down 2-0.
