MLB Best Bets for World Series Game 5 (November 3)
The World Series has become a three-game series after the Houston Astros evened the series at two games apiece on Wednesday night, pitching a combined no-hitter.
The Philadelphia Phillies have Noah Syndergaard on the mound in Game 5 against Houston ace Justin Verlander, and the Astros are set as major favorites in this matchup.
However, is there value on the underdog Phils at home?
Here are the BetSided team’s best bets for this game:
Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Prediction and Best Bet
- Pick: Phillies ML (+135)
Verlander has well documented troubles in the World Series, a ghastly 6.07 ERA through eight starts in the Fall Classic with six losses and no wins, and I'm afraid he may be in for more trouble on Thursday.
The Phillies knocked the future Hall of Famer around in Game 1 of this series, tagging him for five runs in five innings on six hits. Philadelphia has thrived at home, posting the highest OPS in the postseason at home .849, including the no hitter in Game 4. With a ton of power in the lineup including Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins, the club has been explosive in the hitter friendly Citizens Bank Park.
Noah Syndergaard will be tasked with holding the Houston lineup down for at least once around the order. He has been converted into a stretch arm for the Phillies rotation this postseason, appearing once in the NLCS against the Padres, getting four outs in the process. Philadelphia's bullpen has been fantastic all postseason and was able to get through the final four innings clean after Aaron Nola and Jose Alvarado allowed five runs in five innings of combined work.
The Astros inability to find the long ball has been the issue, 29 runs on 11 home runs pales in comparison to the 42 runs on 17 dingers from Philly this postseason, and I think it costs them the pivotal Game 5.
I don't see a big difference between the two teams, especially with Verlander's checkered World Series past, so I'll take the home underdog. – Reed Wallach
Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies Best Prop Bet
Yes Run First Inning
I’m not going to overreact to last night’s no-hitter, and I’m expecting the offenses to bounce back in Game 5.
Verlander held Philly scoreless in the first inning in Game 1, and Syndergaard has actually been solid this postseason, allowing just one run across 5.2 innings, but Syndergaard’s season long numbers are extremely concerning.
He allowed 16 runs in the first inning this season (6.08 ERA). Verlander wasn’t great in Game 1 either, so it’s possible Philly rides some of that momentum into this start. Someone is getting the party started early in this game. – Peter Dewey
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.