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.
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.
The 2022 World Series is now a best-of-five. The Philadelphia Phillies rallied from a five-run deficit to swipe Game 1 in extra innings on J.T. Realmuto's 10th...
Astros vs. Phillies: Which Team Gains an Edge With World Series Game 3 Rainout?
Nov 1, 2022
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hit a 3-run home run during the 5th inning of 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)
There was no World Series Game 3 on Monday night because of the weather in Philadelphia. While everything remains tied 1-1, there is a chain reaction to the rain.
The Astros, with perhaps the deepest pitching staff in all of baseball, remain on schedule to start Lance McCullers Jr. in Game 3 and Cristian Javier in Game 4.
They have more starters in the bullpen like Luis García, who they used in Game 1, and José Urquidy, who is tied for the most World Series wins in franchise history but has yet to be deployed this postseason. That's because the Astros' relievers are capable, posting the lowest bullpen ERA and entering the World Series with a 0.82 ERA over 33 innings pitched.
It's different for the Phillies.
They have two ace-caliber starters in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Ranger Suárez is a complementary No. 3, but from there the back end of the rotation gets thin with a diminished Noah Syndergaard and Kyle Gibson.
The updated #WorldSeries pitching matchups for the games in Philly ⚾️
Game 3: McCullers vs. Suárez Game 4: Javier vs. Nola Game 5: Verlander vs. Syndergaard pic.twitter.com/RaAqLYkqSr
Here is how Monday's postponement impacts both teams and who gets the edge because of it.
Phillies delay bullpen game, get much-needed extra rest for Wheeler
Originally, Phillies manager Rob Thomson planned to have Syndergaard pitch Game 3 and Suárez for Game 4. But with the rain pushing things back a day, Suárez can pitch Game 3 and Nola, who started Game 1 last Friday, can pitch Game 4.
What happens in those two games presents an interesting hypothetical for Thomson and the Phillies. He said Monday night that Wheeler would get extra rest and the plan for Game 5 is to start either Syndergaard, if they don't use him in the next couple of days, or Gibson.
That would, in effect, be a bullpen game. But what if the Astros win the next two and the Phillies are facing elimination at home in Game 5?
It's hard to imagine they wouldn't give the ball to Wheeler in their final home game, with the season on the line.
Wheeler's dip in velocity was a talking point after his Game 2 performance, when he gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits, including a homer, and struck out three.
Still, Wheeler sitting in the dugout while you lose the World Series would be gross mismanagement.
Verlander gets more rest as postponement plays to Astros' depth
Arguably the Astros' most important pitchers will benefit from the extra rest. That includes 39-year-old Justin Verlander, who squandered a 5-0 lead through the first three innings of Game 1.
They also rest their best relievers. Closer Ryan Pressly threw a combined 33 pitches in the first two games, while Rafael Montero threw 41 pitches in those games, including 33 in Game 2.
Getting two full days of rest should reset the clock on both of them.
The interesting question for Houston is how best to use Verlander if Philadelphia wins Game 3. It's likely the Astros stick to their plan, but having Verlander pitch Game 4 to avoid an elimination scenario at Citizens Bank Park would make sense.
Also worth asking is whether Framber Valdez, based on recent performance, would be the Astros' best option in an elimination game.
Valdez has a 1.42 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in his three postseason starts this year, compared to Verlander's 7.20 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. Verlander was rough in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners, giving up six runs on 10 hits before a furious Astros comeback, highlighted by an improbable Yordan Álvarez three-run walk-off homer, bailed him out.
Verlander was better against the Yankees in the ALCS but struggled with command against the Phillies in Game 1 of the World Series.
Advantage goes to Astros
While it benefits the Phillies to have more flexibility in how they use Wheeler, their best pitcher, that still doesn't say much for the matchup against the Astros.
Just look at what the Astros were able to do to him in Game 2. They scored five runs (four earned) on six hits in five innings pitched by Wheeler.
Thomson called Wheeler's stuff "a little bit light" and noted his location was off but said he expects both Wheeler and Nola to be ready for the next time.
The rain delay makes it interesting for Thomson to decide when that is, exactly. If the Phillies lose both games, or win both games, ideally it's Wheeler pitching in the elimination or closeout situation.
Meanwhile, the Astros have no need to adjust their plans at all.
They have a wealth of pitching depth that can only benefit from the extra rest. And their lineup has shown it can produce against Philly's best hurlers in Wheeler and Nola.
Suárez pitched just three innings the last time he started against Houston on Oct. 4, just before the regular season ended. The Astros scored six runs on seven hits, including homers by Jeremy Peña, Kyle Tucker and Martín Maldonado.
The Astros have good reason to be confident in their rotation as is, and that their lineup matches up well against anyone Philly puts on the mound.
Phillies, Astros Set World Series Pitching Matchups After Game 3 Postponement
Oct 31, 2022
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 11: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates striking out Travis d'Arnaud #16 of the Atlanta Braves while the bases are loaded during the third inning in game one of the National League Division Series at Truist Park on October 11, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros set their starting rotations after Game 3 of the 2022 World Series was postponed until Tuesday.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Ranger Suárez will take the bump in the next game, with Aaron Nola and Noah Syndergaard to follow in Games 4 and 5, respectively. Syndergaard was originally slated for Game 3.
Astros manager Dusty Baker, on the other hand, is sticking with Lance McCullers Jr., while Cristian Javier will "probably" get Game 4 duties. Some wondered whether that honor would go to Justin Verlander instead with the postponement giving all of the players an extra day off.
A postponement tonight would create a real fascinating Game 4 decision for Dusty Baker and Josh Miller. Justin Verlander would be on regular rest Wednesday. Cristian Javier would be available, presuming they keep Lance McCullers Jr pitching Game 3 tomorrow.
Thomson added he could use Syndergaard as a reliever in Game 3 or 4 if needed, in which case Kyle Gibson would become the Game 5 starter. He won't be tempted to go with Zack Wheeler there because he prefers to allow the 2021 All-Star to rest up as much as he can.
Wheeler was tagged for five runs on six hits in five innings of work in a 5-2 Game 2 defeat. More concerning, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki noted his fastball averaged 96.2 mph in the first inning of that contest after hitting 98.3 mph when he opened his earlier playoff appearances.
Zack Wheeler talks about what went wrong in the first inning and the fact that his velocity was slightly down: pic.twitter.com/6uDarN0RXC
Baker appears to have similar concerns with moving Verlander's start up following the rainout.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner continues to be snakebitten in the Fall Classic after allowing five earned runs in Houston's 6-5 Game 1 loss. The slightly longer turnaround before his next appearance could help the right-hander get back to his best.
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.
