The drama that served the Phillies a victory on Friday wasn't there in Houston on Saturday night in Game 2 of the World Series.
The Astros jumped on Zack Wheeler and tagged him for three runs in the opening frame, setting the tone for a 5-2 victory at Minute Maid Park.
The series is even at a game apiece. Both teams will travel to Philadelphia on Sunday and prepare for Game 3 on Monday night at what should be an electric Citizens Bank Park.
Wheeler's velocity was down in comparison to his previous four postseason starts with his four-seam fastball averaging just 95.6 mph; he averaged 97.2 mph with the same pitch in his previous start against San Diego.
"He was just a little off," said manager Rob Thomson. "It was a little bit light stuff and location was a little bit off. Should have only given up two runs in the first inning and then [Alex] Bregman hits a home run, he got behind him and beat him to the spot. It was just a little bit light today."
Wheeler surrendered five runs, four earned, over five innings. He walked three, whiffed three, and gave up six hits.
Houston lefty Framber Valdez was masterful, collecting nine strikeouts while surrendering one run over 6 1/3 innings. His curveball was on point throughout the evening, accounting for 42 of his 104 pitches.
"His sinker was fantastic," Thomson said. "His curveball was pretty good. His put-away pitches were good. He pitched well, and he's been doing that for awhile now."
The Astros collected three doubles on Wheeler's first four pitches of the contest, then surrendered a two-run shot to Bregman in the fifth.
Noah Syndergaard will get the ball for the Phillies in Game 3 while Ranger Suarez will toe the rubber in Game 4.
Truthfully, a split in Houston is a respectable outcome. The Phillies now hold a home-field advantage with three of the potential final five games in the series to be played at Citizens Bank Park.
"Yeah, as I've said all along with this club, it's really got a short memory," Thomson said. "And I expect them to come in there and be ready to go in front of a rabid fan base. They're going to flush it and move forward. And I expect them to be, come out and prepare and compete just like they always do."
