There's no chance of rain tonight, meaning Game 3 should go on without a hitch down in South Philadelphia as the Phillies host the Astros at Citizens Bank Park. In fact, it's a beautiful night for a ballgame.
Philadelphia last hosted a World Series game on November 2, 2009, marking 12 years, 11 months, and 30 days since the Fall Classic took place in the Quaker City.
The rain on Monday night shifted the starting rotation around a bit for the Phillies. Ranger Suarez will start now in Game 3 on regular rest. Aaron Nola will toe the slab in Game 4. Phillies skipper Rob Thomson said he'll turn to either Noah Syndergaard or Kyle Gibson in Game 5 in what will ultimately become a bullpen game. Zack Wheeler will go in Game 6, setting Suarez to pitch a deciding Game 7.
Suarez recorded a pair of pivotal outs in the Phillies' Game 1 victory and has pitched well this postseason, surrendering just two earned runs over 9 2/3 innings in four appearances, including two starts.
Thomson views Suarez's calm demeanor as an advantage in a situation like this, where the pressure could rattle some other professional arms.
"I think just some guys are like that," Thomson said. "Some guys get sped up, some guys get a little excited, and some guys, their heartbeat stays the same, and Ranger is one of those guys. Nothing seems to affect him, situation, the game state doesn't, nothing really bothers him. He's really great about that."
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.
Success at Home
The Phillies are slashing .351/.429/.676 with a 1.104 OPS in 42 plate appearances with runners in scoring position at home this postseason.
Gold Glove Award
J.T. Realmuto was awarded the National League Rawlings Gold Glove for the catcher position prior to Game 3. The 31-year-old last won the award in 2019, his first season in Philadelphia. Realmuto threw out 44% of would be basestealers this year and posted a .993 fielding percentage.
Pitching Success
The Astros pitching staff has posted a 2.18 ERA with 111 strikeouts over 91 innings this postseason. The 2.18 ERA is the lowest posted by any team in a single postseason run since the 1996 Braves posted a 1.89 ERA in 16 games.
Starting Lineup
Schwarber 7
Hoskins 3
Realmuto 2
Harper DH
Castellanos 9
Bohm 5
Stott 6
Segura 4
Marsh 8
Suarez LHP
