How Game 3 postponement can be advantage for Phillies over Astros

Game 3 of the World Series was pushed back by a day due to weather, and this could give the Philadelphia Phillies the upper hand.

The World Series will be at Citizens Bank Park for the first time since 2009, but the first night didn’t go well with a Game 3 postponement due to the weather on Monday. Pushing the game back by a day, however, may play out well for the home team on Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies’ offense has been on fire this postseason. They have room to improve their defense, but Rob Thomson seems to know how to utilize potential. He’s already shifted the rotation to hopefully maximize Philadelphia’s chances of success, and it seems to be a smart move.

Originally, Noah Syndergaard was supposed to start Game 3 and Ranger Suarez was set to start Game 4. However, now that Game 3 is taking place when Game 4 was supposed to, Suarez will start Game 3 after following regular rest, which is ideal because Syndergaard is best to keep as security in the bullpen.

The rotation is now set to be Aaron Nola in Game 4, either Syndergaard or Kyle Gibson in Game 5 and Zack Wheeler in Game 6.

Syndergaard hasn’t started in the World Series since 2015, and he’s proven to be a solid piece of the bullpen. He’s been extremely reliable in that role in the postseason, which is valuable given the weakness of the Philadelphia bullpen as a whole.

The Phillies have more flexibility to make choices with their rotation

Though it’s just one extra day, that day is crucial in freeing up more pitchers from their regular rest and not having to pull bullpen resources. This maximizes their chance of success, which is something Philadelphia is hungry for after not being in the playoffs since 2011.

The Phillies also haven’t lost a home postseason game in 2022, which is all the more reason to take full advantage of Game 3 being postponed. Philadelphia may have a serious upper hand coming into Tuesday night.