Despite a 6-5 Phillies victory, Aaron Nola had a rough go of things in Game 1 of the World Series, surrendering five runs on six hits in his poorest outing of the postseason. He aims to bounce back on Wednesday in Game 4 at Citizens Bank Park as the Phillies look to move to within one more victory to clinch the World Series.
Location was an issue for Nola in Game 1, and the Astros took advantage with Kyle Tucker hitting a pair of homers to highlight the effort. He struck out five and walked two.
"I think just some fastballs that have kind of been a little bit over the plate and they have connected with," Nola said. "I think the home run, there was four home runs in those past two starts of mine. I know in San Diego they were solos, but the other night it was a solo and a three-run homer. Solos can't really beat you unless you give up a bunch of them during the game, but the two-run, three-run homers, they hurt."
Nola started the postseason with a scoreless streak that ran 12 2/3 innings, but he struggled in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, surrendering six runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings in a loss to San Diego.
Combined over his previous two starts, Nola has given up 11 runs over nine innings while just 65 percent of his pitches were strikes. In comparison, 70 percent of his pitches in his first two starts this postseason were strikes.
"I think it really comes down to execution, just missing his spots a little bit," said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. "He really leans on his command. When it's off a little bit, usually that's when he gets into some trouble. But I know he's working hard in between starts, so he'll be ready to go."
The Astros turn to right-hander Christian Javier for Game 4. The 25-year-old hurled 1 1/3 innings in relief in Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Oct. 11 against the Mariners. He then held the Yankees to one hit in 5 1/3 scoreless frames in a Game 3 start of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 22 in New York.
Odds Favor Philly
Of the previous 93 times that a World Series has been 2-1, the team leading the series has gone on to win the Fall Classic 66.7 percent of the time, including the last five instances.
Bullpen Success
Through the first three games of the World Serie, the Phillies bullpen has tossed 12 2/3 scoreless innings. According to Elias, this marks just the fifth time in World Series history a bullpen has opened the series with such a scoreless streak.
Starting Lineup
Schwarber 7
Hoskins 3
Realmuto 2
Harper DH
Castellanos 9
Bohm 5
Stott 6
Segura 4
Marsh 8
Nola RHP
