Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Minchillo/AP/Shutterstock (13495195c) Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) during Game 4 of an American League Championship baseball series against the New York Yankees, in New York Astros Baseball, New York, United States – 23 Oct 2022
World Series Game 3 Preview: facts and storylines for Astros vs. Phillies
UPDATE: Game 3, originally scheduled for Monday night, was postponed to Tuesday night, shifting the remainder of the series schedule. This article has been updated to reflect these changes.
After a shocking upset loss in Game 1, the Astros rebounded and turned in a vintage Astros performance in Game 2 of the World Series, getting run support for their strong pitching staff, which held the Phillies at bay to even the series at 1-1. However, things shift for Game 3 as the Fall Classic heads to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for the next three games of the series.
While Houston hasn’t suffered a loss on the road yet in the 2022 postseason, winning the third and final ALDS Game in Seattle and Games 3 and 4 of the ALCS in front of a raucous Yankee Stadium crowd, things ramp up a level in magnitude in the World Series, and the Phillies haven’t lost at home during this playoff run. Here are some notes and facts for the Game 3 matchup on Halloween night:
Game Facts
When: Tuesday, 11/01/2022, 7:03 p.m. CT
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
TV/Streaming: FOX / FOX Sports App
Pitching Matchup: Lance McCullers Jr. (4-2, 2.27 ERA) vs. Ranger Suárez (10-7, 3.65 ERA)
Series: Tied 1-1
Series Schedule
| Date & Time (Central) | Location | Pitching Matchup | |
| Game 1 | PHI 6, HOU 5 | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Verlander vs. Nola |
| Game 2 | HOU 5, PHI 2 | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Valdez vs. Wheeler |
| Game 3 | Tue 11/1, 7:03 p.m. | Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia | McCullers Jr. vs. Suárez |
| Game 4 | Wed 11/2, 7:03 p.m. | Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia | Javier vs. Nola |
| Game 5 | Thu 11/3, 7:03 p.m. | Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia | Verlander vs. Syndergaard^ |
| Game 6* | Sat 11/5, 7:03 p.m. | Minute Maid Park, Houston | Valdez vs. Wheeler^ |
| Game 7* | Sun 11/6, 7:03 p.m. | Minute Maid Park, Houston | TBD |
^ Projected starters
Looking to take a page out of Philadelphia’s book
The Phillies had to have felt good stealing Game 1 in Houston, knowing they’d be at worst, coming back to their home stadium tied 1-1 with a chance to rattle off three wins and finish the series in front of their home fans. Houston will try to even that score and take back home-field advantage by winning the first game on the road to put themselves two wins away from finishing things off and putting the pressure squarely on the Phillies.
In any case, the Fall Classic has become a best-of-five, which means that no matter what, if Houston wants to win the series, they have to get at least one victory on the road. It might as well be the first one on Monday night.
Houston’s arms need to stay sharp and get their fair share of support
Lance McCullers Jr. will take the ball for the Astros in Game 3, facing a Phillies lineup that he squared off against back on Oct. 3, arguably the most meaningful game of that series as it was the win that clinched the Phillies’ playoff berth. McCullers Jr. pitched very well in a losing effort, allowing a leadoff solo homer to Kyle Schwarber but holding Philadelphia to that lone run over six innings while allowing six hits, one walk, and striking out five.
He’ll look for a similar performance tonight, hoping to cook up the same recipe that Houston has regularly used in the postseason run; get their starter as deep as they are effective and then hand things off to their stellar relievers. Originally set up to face Noah Syndergaard in Game 3 before the postponement, Houston’s lineup will instead go against Ranger Suárez, who came in out of the bullpen in Game 1 but gets the chance to start Game 3 on normal rest. No concern to them; they’ll look to put up another strong performance to back up their pitching.
