It's go time, Philadelphia.
The Phillies and Astros will face each other tonight at Minute Maid Park in Houston in Game 1 of the World Series.
This appearance marks the eighth World Series in Phillies franchise history and first since 2009.
Aaron Nola will toe the rubber for the Phils, making him the second Phillies draft pick in franchise history to start Game 1 of a World Series for the team, joining Cole Hamels in 2008.
Nola was outstanding to open the postseason, tossing 11 2/3 scoreless innings but was roughed up in Game 2 of the NLCS by San Diego, surrendering six runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings in an 8-5 loss.
"Location was a problem there," said Phillies skipper Rob Thomson. "They were locked on his fastball and made good swings."
The Astros have Justin Verlander on the hill in Game 1, a two-time Cy Young winner and a future Hall of Famer.
"He's had an unbelievable career," Thomson said. "To do what he's doing at his age and how many seasons he's had, how many games he's pitched, it's incredible. He must stay in tremendous shape.
"It's the big fastball, it's the big curveball, it's the poise he has on the mound and the competitive nature that he has that has kept him going. I know he's on the other club, but I have a ton of respect for just what he's done in his career."
The Phillies are only the fifth team in Major League Baseball history to start 21-29 or worse through their first 50 games and then make the World Series.
It's been a storybook run for the Phillies, and now the club is four wins away from closing the book on one of the most improbable championship runs in recent memory.
"Stay loose," Thomson said. "Really, that's what it gets down to. It's the World Series. It's a big stage. But they have been loose the entire time."
Starting Lineup
Schwarber 7
Hoskins 3
Realmuto 2
Harper DH
Castellanos 9
Bohm 5
Stott 6
Segura 4
Marsh 8
Nola RHP
Harper Remains Hot
Bryce Harper is slashing .419/.444/.907 in 46 plate appearances (11 G) this postseason … He is 18-for-43 at the plate with 11 extra-base hits (6 2B, 5 HR), 10 runs and 11 RBI … He has reached base safely in all 11 games this postseason and has hit safely in 10 straight (.450 AVG, since 10/8) … His 11 extra-base hits are the most in a single postseason in franchise history.
Odds & Ends
In World Series history, the Game 1 winner has won the Fall Classic 63.8 pct. (74 of 116) of the time ... The Phillies are 5-2 all-time in Game 1 of the World Series, including 3-1 on the road ... Rob Thomson won five World Series rings as a Yankees coach and is attempting to become the sixth rookie manager to win a World Series ... Dan Iassogna will serve as primary Crew Chief for the umpires in the 2022 World Series, marking his third Fall Classic assignment…Iassogna’s crew will include Jordan Baker, Lance Barksdale, Tripp Gibson, Pat Hoberg, James Hoye and Alan Porter.
