Phillies vs Astros World Series Game 2 Predictions, Picks, Odds: Fireworks Continue in Fall Classic

The Philadelphia Phillies stole Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night with an incredible five-run comeback. Now they’ll try to put the Houston Astros in a 2-0 hole on Saturday night as the MLB odds underdog.

Can the Phillies complete another upset against the AL’s best team from the regular season? 

Find out in our free MLB picks and predictions for Phillies vs. Astros on Saturday, October 29, and check out our Phillies vs. Astros prop picks for more.

Phillies vs Astros Game 2 odds: Moneyline, run line, Over/Under

Phillies vs Astros picks and predictions

Game 1 of the World Series went from a one-sided snoozer to an edge-of-your-seat barnburner by the fourth inning, as both Aaron Nola and Justin Verlander were knocked around in their respective starts. 

Zack Wheeler and Framber Valdez face off in Game 2, and though they were both effective for the most part in the regular season and into the playoffs, it would not be shocking to see more of what we saw in Game 1 in this spot.

Wheeler seems the more likely of the two starters to author a quality start, something he’s done in each of his first four opportunities on the mound this postseason. Though he’s been on his game in October, he hasn’t been untouchable. The Braves were able to tag him for the only three runs they needed over six frames in a 3-0 victory in Game 2 of the NLDS. 

The Georgia native’s main problem in this matchup is the fact that the Astros’ lineup is hot right now. Jeremy Pena, Alex Bregman, and Yuli Gurriel all have a playoff OPS above .900, and Kyle Tucker is at .897 after a three-hit Game 1 that included two four-baggers. 

If the ‘Stros don’t do damage against Wheeler, there’s always hope against a weak Phillies bullpen that produced a 4.27 ERA in the regular season, 23rd in the majors.

Valdez was able to shut down a Yankees lineup that struggled to hit throughout their abbreviated postseason run when last seen, blanking them over seven frames in Game 2 of the ALCS. But he was not in that kind of control against the Mariners in ALDS Game 2, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in 5 2-3 laborious innings. 

The Dominican native had a pair of bad starts at the end of September, allowing 10 runs over 10 2-3 innings, prior to picking up a win over the Phillies in a Game 162 that meant nothing to both sides. 

It’s possible that Philadelphia chases Valdez early and sends the total soaring Over a relatively low number.

My best bet: Over 7.0 (-105 at DraftKings)

Phillies vs Astros World Series odds

Teams	Odds to win series
Philadelphia Phillies	-130
Houston Astros	+110

Phillies vs Astros moneyline analysis

The Phillies showed a lot of heart in their Game 1 victory, battling down from 5-0 to complete the comeback in extra innings. It feels like no lead is safe for the Astros in the World Series now, even with their elite bullpen. The Phils appeal as underdogs on the moneyline in Game 2.

J.T. Realmuto had a lot to do with Philadelphia storming back from an early deficit, hitting a double and then a 10th-inning dinger to drive in three of his club’s six runs on Friday night. The Phillies backstop joined Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, and Kyle Schwarber on his club with at least three homers this postseason in Game No. 12. 

Harper has earned his pay in October more so than anyone on his team, going .426 with five round-trippers and 11 RBI. He had two hits and a walk with a run scored in Game 1.

Trend bettors should note that the Phillies are 15-6 in their last 21 games against left-handed starters, while the Astros are now 1-7 in their last eight World Series home games.

Phillies vs Astros Over/Under analysis

The Phillies’ home-run-or-bust lineup has been delivering practically every night this postseason, and when a team is scoring runs in bunches, it’s hard for Under bettors to cash on low numbers. 

Until Friday night, Houston had not lost a playoff game despite Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve underachieving at the plate. Alvarez has left the yard twice but is batting only .212. Altuve has been even worse, going 4-for-37 (.108) with only one extra-base knock. It seems like just a matter of time before these All-Stars join their teammates in the hit parade, which would be a boon to Over bettors.

Several trends from both sides suggest another Over is in store. The Phillies have exceeded the total in eight of their last nine road games against left-handed starters, and in four of their last five overall.

The Over is 10-2-2 in the Astros’ last 14 interleague games against right-handed starters, 5-2 in their last seven games following a loss, and 6-2-1 in their last nine World Series home games.

Phillies vs Astros trend to know

The Astros are 2-5 in their last seven interleague games against right-handed starters. Find more MLB betting trends for Phillies vs. Astros

Phillies vs Astros game info

Starting pitchers

Zack Wheeler (13-8, 2.67 ERA): Wheeler has played no small part in the Phillies’ success this postseason, going 1-1 with a 1.78 ERA and a 25-3 strikeout/walk ratio over four starts (25 1-3 innings). Wheeler battled through some injuries in 2022 but was still excellent in the year following his narrow loss in the Cy Young balloting. 

Framber Valdez (18-6, 2.73 ERA): Valdez had relatively few hiccups in the regular season, pitching an AL-best 201 1-3 innings. The 3.83 ERA in his postseason career (56 1-3 innings) is inflated significantly from the horrible outing he had against the Braves in last year’s Fall Classic in which he allowed 10 runs over 4 2-3 innings.  

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