Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON ASTROS (0-0) vs. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES (0-0)
RH Justin Verlander (1-0, 6.30) vs. RH Aaron Nola (2-1, 3.12)
World Series Game 1 • First Pitch (ET): 8:03 p.m. • Site: Minute Maid Park • Location: Houston, TX
FOX, FOX Deportes and ESPN Radio
Tonight marks the 118th renewal of the World Series, featuring the American League champion Houston Astros against the National League champion
Philadelphia Phillies.
The National League has won three consecutive World Series, tied with 2010-12, 1963-65 and 1907-09 for their 2nd-longest streak all-time behind 1979-82 (4).
The Game 1 winner has gone on to win the World Series 82.4 pct. of the time since 1987, compared to 56.1 pct. (46 of 82) from 1903-86.
According to each Club’s World Series roster, 22 players have previous World Series experience, including 18 from the Astros and four from the Phillies. Astros pitchers have combined for 36 apps (15 starts) and 86 1/3 innings in previous World Series and Astros position players have combined for 104 games, 360 at-bats and 14 home runs. Phillies pitchers have combined for three appearances (1 start) and 8 1/3 innings in previous World Series and Phillies position players have combined for 6 games, 17 at-bats and 0 home runs.
Veteran right-hander Justin Verlander gets the Game 1 for the Astros. Verlander is 15-11 with a 3.55 ERA in 33 career Postseason appearances but
that includes 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in seven career World Series appearances.
Fellow right-hander Aaron Nola will be on the mound for the Phillies in the first game of the series. Nola is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in three Postseason starts, all this year. Tossed back-to-back scoreless starts this Postseason before getting rocked for six runs in his last start against the Padres. Nola is actually the last pitcher to beat the Astros on October 3 in the last series of the regular season.
The Astros have steamrolled their way through the playoffs with a sweep over a sweep over the Mariners in the Division Series and then a sweep over the Yankees in the Championship Series. Rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña has been the Astros’ best hitter during the playoffs with three doubles, three home runs, and eight RBIs.
The Phillies finished third in the NL East with 87 wins, but they beat the Cardinals in the Wild Card Series, the Braves in the Division Series, and the Padres in the Championship Series and only lost two games along the way. Both Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins have five home runs and 11 RBIs to their name this postseason.
Make sure to check out MMO’s World Series predictions.
