MLB Probable Pitchers for Thursday, November 3 (Who's Starting in World Series Game 5?)
By Ben Heisler
After shutting out the Houston Astros at home in Game 3 by a 7-0 score, the Philadelphia Phillies got a taste of their own medicine Wednesday evening.
The Houston Astros, led by right-hander Cristian Javier no-hit the vaunted Phillies lineup in the first combined no-hitter in playoff history. It was also just the third time in the last 53 years that there two straight shutouts accomplished in the World Series.
The Phillies threw a 7-0 shutout in Game 3; Houston threw a 5-0 shutout (and no-hitter) in Game 4.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 3, 2022
It's the 3rd time in the LCS Era (since 1969) that there were back-to-back shutouts in the World Series (2012, 2014) pic.twitter.com/43SrRnjjaT
In a pivotal Game 5 in Philadelphia tonight, the Phillies send out Noah Syndergaard against the likely American League Cy Young winner in Justin Verlander. Let's take a look at tonight's pitching matchup, along with the latest odds for this evening, and see if we can find an edge on either side:
Astros vs. Phillies Probable Pitchers for World Series Game 5
- Astros: Justin Verlander - RHP (1-0, 7.20 ERA)
- Phillies: Noah Syndergaard - RHP (0-0, 1.69 ERA)
Justin Verlander vs. Noah Syndergaard: Who Has the Edge in Game 5 of the World Series?
At first glance, the automatic answer to which pitcher is best set up for success should be Verlander, right? After all, he was brilliant in his 2022 campaign, leading all starters in the regular season with a 1.75 ERA, the lowest of his likely Hall of Fame career.
But the World Series has been Verlander's bugaboo historically, without a single win to his name in eight career starts, an ERA above six, and nine home runs allowed.
Updated Justin Verlander World Series numbers:
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) October 29, 2022
8 starts. 0-6. 43 IP 29 ER. 6.07 ERA https://t.co/FlLJoUrBpf
If there's any sort of consolation, it's that Verlander has been rather unlucky throughout this year's postseason. Despite his ERA of 7.20, his Fielding Independent Pitching, or FIP is more than half of his ERA at 3.31, with an expected FIP (xFIP) of 3.36. Positive regression to the mean should be on its way, but the Phillies locked in on the 39-year old in Game 1, coming back from a five-run deficit vs. Verlander to win on the road.
For those expecting a rebound performance from Verlander, his odds to record his first ever World Series victory are below:
As for Syndergaard, the 30-year old right-hander has been solid in limited action during the playoffs, going 5.1 innings with a 1.69 ERA, including one start. He'll likely set up as an opener, but if he's cruising, manager Rob Thomson could let him go until he runs into trouble. The Phillies also have starter Kyle Gibson available out of the bullpen as well.
The #Phillies have changed their rotation with tonight's rainout, per mgr Rob Thomson:
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) October 31, 2022
New Game 3 starter: Ranger Suarez.
Game 4: Aaron Nola
Game 5: If Syndergaard isn't used in 3-4, him. If he is, Kyle Gibson will start.
Thomson said he wanted to give Zack Wheeler extra time
Syndergaard is far from the "Thor" strikeout artist from his time in New York, but if you believe he can enter the "way back machine" and deliver in the biggest moment, his strikeout prop is set at 2.5 tonight.
Don't forget, the BetSided team's best bets, favorite World Series Game 5 prop bets, anytime home run picks and more will be posted throughout today on our "MLB Expert Picks and Predictions" page HERE!
Follow all of Ben's betting plays in real-time HERE!
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.