South Philadelphia will be buzzing on Monday night as the World Series returns with the Phillies and Astros set for Game 3 of the Fall Classic. It'll mark the first time in 13 years that Citizens Bank Park will host a World Series contest.
The two clubs split Games 1 and 2 in Houston with the Astros claiming a 5-2 victory on Saturday night.
The Phillies turn to Noah Syndergaard for Game 3. Manager Rob Thomson anticipates the right-hander going only a few frames before he has to dip into the bullpen, meaning it could turn into a bullpen game early for the Phillies.
"Well, he hasn't had a real start really since probably the middle of September, and probably his highest pitch count is like around 35 pitches," Thomson said. "So he's a big, strong guy. It's the World Series, so we'll see how he does, see how he feels, constantly communicate with him as he comes off the field. If he's throwing the ball well and he's not rusty and he's sharp, we'll keep going as long as he feels good."
Syndergaard has combined to toss 5 1/3 innings this postseason, surrendering just one run; he's whiffed four, walked one, and scattered three hits.
Syndergaard does have World Series experience under his belt, tossing six innings for the Mets in the 2015 Fall Classic. He gave up three runs in that start and earned a win. He's not the same pitcher now, but the memory of pitching on the big stage is something that hasn't left him.
"I mean, seven years just seems like a long time ago," Syndergaard said. "I was just a very naive rookie at the time. I've had a lot of baseball under my belt since then to mature and to accumulate some experience. I've been in this scenario before. I think the Phillies have been in this scenario before. We're even 1-1, taking it back to the Bank where I think we're pretty dangerous. That playing environment is really going to help us out.
"I'm just really excited on a personal level to be able to toe the slab in a first World Series game since 2008 and just to get back to the great passionate fans of Philadelphia."
The Astros will turn to Lance McCullers in Game 3. The right-hander has been outstanding this postseason, posting a 2.45 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over two starts. He whiffed six over five innings in his previous outing, helping the Astros eliminate the Yankees in the ALCS.
McCullers is playoff tested, having made 11 career postseason starts and eight relief appearances while posting a career 2.77 ERA to go along with 75 strikeouts over 68 1/3 innings.
Weather Concerns
The weather looks to be a significant concern as radar and forecast predict precipitation for much of the night. Major League Baseball is monitoring the situation, but it's entirely possible Game 3 is moved to Tuesday.
Last Time at CBP
The Phillies last played in a World Series game at Citizens Bank Park on November 2, 2009, against the Yankees. It was Game 5 of the Series and the Phils won, 8-6, as Chase Utley finished 2-for-3 with a pair of homers and four RBIs. David Robertson, then a reliever with the Yankees, tossed two shutout innings.
Starting Lineup
Schwarber 7
Hoskins 3
Realmuto 2
Harper DH
Castellanos 9
Bohm 5
Stott 6
Segura 4
Marsh 8
Syndergaard RHP
