Baseball Astros vs. Phillies World Series Game 5 Betting: Will Verlander deliver to put Houston one win away from the title?

[James]

After a historic Game 4 win in Philadelphia, the Houston Astros will turn things over to Justin Verlander tonight aiming for a 3-2 World Series lead over the Phillies and a chance to clinch at home tomorrow night.
After allowing five homers and getting blanked by the Phillies in Game 3 on Tuesday, the Astros punched back in the most astounding way possible in last night’s series-tying 5-0 win.
The offense finally broke its drought with a five-run fifth, and Cristian Javier and relievers Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly combined for just the second no-hitter in World Series history, following Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956.

With the assurance that the series will end in Houston, where they have been outstanding all season, the Astros are in a favorable position entering tonight’s matchup.

To not follow up such a performance with a win tonight would be a major disappointment, so pressure is squarely on Verlander, who saw his woeful winless run in World Series action extended in Game 1 in Houston.

And while the Phillies were on the wrong side of some rare history last night, they certainly can’t be counted out when they have beaten the odds several times already to just be in this position.

Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Matchup Information and Betting Odds – 2022 World Series Game 5​

Matchup Information​

• Matchup: Houston Astros (2-2) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (2-2)
• Venue & Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
• Date: Thursday, November 3, 2022
• Game Time: 8:03 p.m. Eastern Time
• How to Watch Astros vs. Phillies Game 5: FOX

Astros vs. Phillies Pitching Matchup​

• Houston: RHP Justin Verlander (2022 MLB Postseason: 3 starts, 1-0, 7.20 ERA; 28 starts, 18-4, 1.75 ERA in the regular season)
• Philadelphia Phillies: RHP Noah Syndergaard (2022 MLB Postseason: 3 appearances – 1 start, 0-0, 1.69 ERA; 25 appearances – 24 starts, 10-10, 3.94 ERA in the regular season)

Astros vs. Phillies Odds​

Game odds are via FanDuel as of Thursday, November 3 at 7:40 a.m. Eastern.

Moneyline​

• Houston Astros -158
• Philadelphia Phillies +134

Over/Under​

• Over 7.5 (-105)
• Under 7.5 (-115)

Run Line​

• Houston Astros -1.5 (+106)
• Philadelphia Phillies +1.5 (-128)

Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Betting Trends​

• The Phillies are 36-41 (.468) following a loss this season.
• The Astros are 73-41 (.640) following a win this season.
• Houston is 44-22 (.667) as a road favorite this season.
• Philadelphia is 11-8 (.579) as a home underdog this season.

Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction and Best Bets​

Astros vs. Phillies Prediction: Astros to win

Astros vs. Phillies Best Bets: Astros -1.5 (Best Value: +110 at Caesars Sportsbook & BetRivers) & Astros team total over (Best Value: over 4 @ -118 at FanDuel & Caesars Sportsbook)

For a pitcher as accomplished as Verlander is, there is one thing still missing from his resume: a World Series win. And after being unable to make the most of the early support he was given in Game 1, he now sits at 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight starts.

Only once has he been on the winning side in a World Series game, which was Houston’s 7-6, 11-inning win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the 2017 World Series. So, even if he gets a no-decision in an Astros win tonight, that would be an event in itself.

The Phillies will no doubt want to get going early to put last night behind them, so Verlander will need to be sharp early. But the key will be to avoid running into trouble in his second time down the order like he did in Game 1 after retiring 10 straight hitters to open the game.

Ultimately, with a soon-to-be three-time Cy Young winner on the mound, the Astros have the upper hand in this matchup. To have such a weapon to turn to when you have the opposition on the ropes after a no-hitter is a heck of a position to be in, even if you are on the road.

And if Verlander pitches like he has in many of his over 500 career regular season and postseason starts, Houston will be in a strong position to go head back home with the opportunity to have a much happier Game 6 than they did last year against the Atlanta Braves.