The Phillies boarded a plane and headed to Houston on Wednesday afternoon, but not before an informal workout at Citizens Bank Park.
Manager Rob Thomson also spoke with the media, announcing Aaron Nola as the Phills' World Series Game 1 starter for Friday when the club opens the Fall Classic against the Astros.
Zack Wheeler will start Game 2 on Saturday, giving him an extra day of rest.
"They’re arguably our two best pitchers,” Thomson said. “It just happened to work out that we've been able to have enough time between their starts that they can go one and two in each series. It's worked out, and for us, it's a huge advantage.”
Nola had an outstanding postseason until Game 2 of the National League Championship Series when the Padres roughed him up for six runs on seven hits, including a pair of homers, over 4 2/3 innings in an 8-5 loss.
"I think there was some bad execution in there, plus they were hunting fastballs," Thomson said.
Thomson also said he is making changes to the World Series roster, though he did not specify what those changes will be.
"That'll be on Friday," Thomson said.
Thomson also stopped short of naming a starter for Game 3 or Game 4, though it's likely that Ranger Suarez will pitch on Monday in Game, leaving Game 4 to be a bullpen game with Bailey Falter or Noah Syndergaard starting things off.
The Astros won 106 games in the regular season and have not lost a game yet this postseason, carrying a 7-0 mark into Game 1. The Astros also bring experience, having reached the postseason each of the last six seasons while advancing to the World Series four times.
"Doesn't matter who we face, our goal is to take care of business and do Philly proud," Rhys Hoskins said following the Phillies' NLCS-clinching win on Sunday night. "This is a chance to do something special."
