Free MLB World Series Pick: Phillies vs. Astros Odds
Looking for Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Free MLB predictions? MLB betting sees the Phillies taking on the Astros in the World Series in Game 1 on Friday, October 28th at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all MLB baseball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily MLB predictions like this Phillies Astros Game 1 free pick.
2022 World Series Handicapping – Game 1
(0-0) Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros (0-0)
Date: Friday October 28th
Time: 8:03 PM ET
Venue: Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX.
Projected Pitchers: Nola (PHI), Verlander (HOU)
MLB Moneyline Odds: PHI +145, HOU -170
MLB run line Betting Odds: PHI -155, HOU +135
MLB Baseball Gambling Total: O/U: 6.5 (over -120)
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies could have gone back to Zack Wheeler here after he started the clincher on Sunday but Manager Rob Thomson will simply hand the ball to Aaron Nola for his turn.
Twenty-nine years old out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (and LSU), Nola led the Philadelphia pitching staff with 6.0 Wins Above Replacement this season but finished just 11–13.
He struck out 235 batters in 205 innings and finished with the lowest WHIP (0.96) of his career.
He’s also one of the most difficult pitchers on the planet to take deep. Nola averages just 1.0 home run per nine innings in his career and was even better than that (0.8) this year.
Houston would love to drive up his pitch count but unless nerves are in play on such a big stage, the Astros may have no choice but to swing early in the count.
Nola is the game’s premier strike thrower. His walk rate was the lowest in baseball this season, as was his strikeout-to-walk ratio.
There is no easy way to approach this guy. He’s every bit as much of an ace as Wheeler is and if he pitches like he can, Houston won’t score much.
Houston Astros
Justin Verlander will open this series for Houston, just like he opened each of the first two.
He didn’t pitch well against Seattle but Yordan Alvarez helped him out. He did, however, fan double-digit Yankees in just five innings in Game 1 of the League Championship Series.
The future Hall of Famer will win his third Cy Young soon for his work in the regular season and he’s already got a World Series under his belt.
All that his resume is really missing is a World Series MVP. If he wins this game, he will be well on his way.
He can give up the long ball, though, and that is Philly’s M.O. He’s got an awfully tough matchup going up against Nola and a couple of solo home runs could absolutely lose him this game.
The Phillies have been looking for the big swing all postseason and they have gotten it much more often than their opponents.
Don’t expect that approach to change one bit at Minute Maid Park, where their power hitters will enjoy hospitable dimensions.
Game 1 MLB Baseball Betting Trends:
- Phillies are 6-1 in their last 7 overall.
- Astros are 7-0 in their last 7 playoff games.
- Head to Head: Phillies are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Houston.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros MLB Prediction:
Nola actually out-pitches Verlander and a rested and restored Philadelphia bullpen holds the Astros down in the late innings.
A home run or two makes the difference for Philadelphia, much like it did in its 2–0 win in Game 1 of the LCS against the Padres.
This game stays under 6.5 and goes to the underdog.
4* Free MLB Betting Game 1 Pick: Philly +145 & Under 6.5 (+100)
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