The Phillies turn to Zack Wheeler on Saturday night, with the club aiming to force a deciding Game 7 in the World Series.
The Phillies had a 2-1 advantage earlier in the series, but dropped the last two games at Citizens Bank Park.
"It's kind of been the motto all season is to flush it," said Bryson Stott. "We've had some bad losses throughout the year and then have kind of bounced back in the ways that we need to.
So I don't think it's going to be any different. It's the same routines. And, I mean, everyone's still in the clubhouse having fun and doing stuff that we've done the whole year."
Wheeler will start Game 6 with extra rest. His velocity was down in Game 2, and he wasn't himself, surrendering five runs in five innings. He threw a bullpen session on Thursday and said he felt good afterward.
"I think you just pitch to your strengths and just make the adjustments that you need to," Wheeler said. "They're a good team, but hopefully I can command the ball a little bit better this time and hopefully that puts me in a better position."
The Astros will have Framber Valdez on the mound in Game 6. He was outstanding in Game 2, surrendering one run on four hits and three walks, striking out nine over 6 1/3 innings.
In the postseason, Valdez is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA (3ER/19IP) with two quality starts in three chances.
The Phillies, meanwhile, have struggled as of late at the plate. The club was no-hit in Game 4 and failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities in Game 5.
Is it cause for concern with the pressure continuing to mount?
"Really it gets down to the fact that you just got to go out and play your own game and stay within yourself and just slow it down," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. "What happens, happens."
The Odds
Of the previous 69 times the World Series has stood at 3-2, the team with the series lead has gone on to win the World Series 66.7 pct. (46 of 69) of the time. In addition, the team with the 3-2 lead has gone on to win Game 6 in 39.1 pct. (27 of 69) of occurrences.
Pitching Situation
"For Game 7, we've probably got both Ranger and [Aaron Nola] lined up," Thomson said. "Probably not full pitch count [for Nola]. So if we needed Ranger in Game 6, I think I'd use him, and then we would have to go full bullpen in Game 7. But Nola gets the start at that point."
Starting Lineup
Schwarber 7
Hoskins 3
Realmuto 2
Harper DH
Castellanos 9
Bohm 5
Segura 4
Vierling 8
Sosa 6
Wheeler RHP
