Mandatory Credit: Photo by David J Phillip/AP/Shutterstock (13433374a) Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of a baseball game, in Houston Rays Astros Baseball, Houston, United States – 30 Sep 2022
World Series Game 2 Preview: facts and storylines for Astros vs. Phillies
If Game 1 was any indication, this will be a very fun World Series. The Astros looked like they might take Game 1 in dominant fashion, but then the Phillies showed why they’re still here, hunkering down and scoring six unanswered runs to pick up the victory.
Houston finally has a loss on their ledger in this postseason, and you can bet they’ll be out to right the ship in Game 2. Here’s a look at the Saturday night matchup:
Game Facts
When: Saturday, 10/29/2022, 7:03 p.m. CT
Where: Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
TV/Streaming: FOX / FOX Sports App
Pitching Matchup: Framber Valdez (17-6, 2.82 ERA) vs. Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.82 ERA)
Series: Phillies lead 1-0
Series Schedule
| Date & Time (Central) | Location | Pitching Matchup | |
| Game 1 | PHI 6, HOU 5 | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Verlander vs. Nola |
| Game 2 | Sat 10/29, 7:03 p.m. | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Valdez vs. Wheeler |
| Game 3 | Mon 10/31, 7:03 p.m | Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia | McCullers Jr. vs. Suarez^ |
| Game 4 | Tue 11/1, 7:03 p.m. | Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia | Javier vs. Syndergaard^ |
| Game 5* | Wed 11/2, 7:03 p.m. | Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia | TBD |
| Game 6* | Fri 11/4, 7:03 p.m. | Minute Maid Park, Houston | TBD |
| Game 7* | Sat 11/5, 7:03 p.m. | Minute Maid Park, Houston | TBD |
^ Projected starters
Houston will look to bounce back
After starting the playoffs 7-0 with sweeps in the ALDS and ALCS, Houston was handed their first loss in its biggest game to this point in the postseason. However, they get the opportunity to rinse that taste out of their mouths quickly if they can turn things around and even the series in Game 2. It wasn’t all bad in Game 1, Kyle Tucker’s two-homer night helped start his series off on the right foot, and Jose Altuve also notched a hit, albeit a bloop single, to avoid falling entirely back into the slump that has plagued him in October thus far. Outside of the solo homer served up by Luis Garcia in the tenth, the bullpen continued to show its dominance as well.
While it’s not an elimination game, it’s still “must-win” territory for the Astros, with three games in Philadelphia on deck after Game 2. While not impossible, especially for this team, it would not be an ideal situation to be heading to Philly down 2-0 in the series needing to take at least two of three in enemy territory.
Big game needed by Valdez
Houston’s 1-2 punch of Verlander and Valdez was among the best in baseball during the regular season. With Verlander’s rough Game 1, it’s on Valdez to try and shoulder a bit more of the load for the duo and replicate what he did in his seven innings of shutout baseball against the Yankees in the ALCS.
The Astros also had to use all of their big guns from the bullpen in Game 1, so getting a lengthy outing from Valdez will go a long way to keeping the bullpen as fresh as it can be for the remainder of the series. That being said, it’s the World Series, and there’s an off day coming on Sunday, so Dusty Baker will likely be ready and willing to use anyone in any situation to avoid a 2-0 hole in the series.
