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The MLB World Series is ready to go with this exciting tilt on Friday, October 28, so make sure you don’t forget to read the best Phillies vs. Astros betting pick and odds.



Philadelphia and Houston will play the first of a seven-game World Series at Minute Maid Park. The Astros are -167 moneyline favorites on <a href="https://www.bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/bovada/">Bovada Sportsbook</a>, while the total is set at 6.5 runs. These inter-league rivals have met three times this season, and Houston won two of those games.



Phillies surprised the Padres in a five-game series win



The Philadelphia Phillies entered all three of their postseason series as underdogs but came away victorious out of each one. After sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in a Wild Card series, the Phillies eliminated the reigning champions and divisional foes Atlanta Braves in four games. They were the dogs once again in the NLCS against the San Diego Padres, who just beat the No. 1 contenders Los Angeles Dodgers. However, Philadelphia dropped only one game to secure a 4-1 series win.



The latest, series-clinching 4-3 victory was the toughest one in the series because the Padres played with their back up against the wall. San Diego had a 3-2 lead entering the bottom 8th when Bryce Harper blasted a two-run homer to send the Phillies to the World Series. Zack Wheeler had another strong playoff start; he allowed two runs on three hits with eight strikeouts and no walks. Jose Alvarado was credited with a win, the first postseason W of his career.



Aaron Nola (11-13, 2-1 in the playoffs) is slated to start Game 1 of the World Series against Houston on Friday. The 29-year-old right-hander had 32 starts this year and carries a 3.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 235/29 K/BB ratio in 205.0 innings.



Astros didn’t lose a single game in their World Series quest



The Houston Astros won the American League in the regular season and had enough time to prepare for the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners, which proved to be a tougher series than the next one against the New York Yankees. Still, Houston swept both the Mariners and Yankees with seven consecutive victories, allowing more than two runs just twice along the way.



Just like the Phillies, the Astros had a hard job in the most recent game to beat the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the ALCS on the road. The lead changed three times; the Yankees drew the first blood with a 3-0 early lead, but Houston answered with four runs in the 3rd inning. Jeremy Pena hit a three-run homer, while Alex Bregman drove him in for a 6-5 lead, which proved to be the final score. The Yankees had three innings to at least force extra innings but failed to score. Lance McCullers Jr. pitched for 5.0 innings and surrendered three runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and a walk. Hector Neris took a win, his second postseason victory of the year.



Justin Verlander (18-4, 1-0 in the playoffs) will start Game 1 of the World Series against Philadelphia on Friday. The 39-year-old right-hander started 28 games this campaign and owns a stellar 1.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 185/29 K/BB ratio across 175.0 innings of work.



Trends:



Philadelphia:



<ul><li>2-7 in the last nine interleague games</li><li>7-20 in the last 27 interleague road games</li><li>2-5 in the last seven interleague games vs. a right-handed starter</li></ul>



Houston:



<ul><li>6-0 in the last six games vs. a right-handed starter</li><li>6-0 in the last six games with the total set at 6.5 or lower</li><li>7-0 in the last seven playoff games</li></ul>



Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Pick



I know that the Phillies probably surprised a lot of people by reaching the World Series, and although anything can happen now, I don’t think they are better than the mighty Astros. They do have strong hitters, but the advantage is on Houston’s side when it comes to pitching. Justin Verlander was out of this world in his latest start against the Yankees, allowing just a run over 6.0 innings with 11 strikeouts. He was untouchable in his lone start against Philadelphia this season, pitching for 5.0 hitless innings in a win. Aaron Nola, on the other hand, lost his previous playoff start against San Diego, the only game of the series the Phillies actually lost. I like Verlander better in this pitching matchup, and that’s why I am going with Houston.



Pick: Take the Astros at -1.5 Run Line (+140)



The Total



I mentioned Verlander’s numbers against Philly this season, but what about Nola’s against Houston? Aaron was also impeccable in his lone start against the Astros, giving up just two hits across 6.2 scoreless innings in a win. He allows a microscopic .130 BA to the Astros’ batters in 46 at-bats in his career, while Verlander allows a .184 BA to the Phillies’ batters in 38 at-bats. That said, we can expect a lot of strikeouts and foul balls in this one. Under is 6-2 in the Phillies’ last eight interleague road games; Under is 5-1 in the Astros’ previous six overall, while Under is 6-1-1 in Houston’s last eight playoff home games.



Pick: Go Under 6.5 runs (-110)

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Odds, Pick, Prediction 10/28/22

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros Odds, Pick, Prediction 10/28/22

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