Will The Houston Astros Get It Done? Looking Ahead At Game Six Of The World Series

The momentum seems to be shifting in this year’s fall classic, as the Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in game five of the World Series last night by a score of 3-2. This marked the Astros second win in a row after they threw a combined no-hitter in game four. The two teams will spend Friday, November 4th traveling back to Houston in order to finish up the series. The Astros will be looking to strike while the iron is hot and prevent a pivotal game seven–the Phillies, on the other hand, will be looking for a win any way they can. The Astros currently lead the best-of-seven series three games to two.

In betting terms, this World Series has been a nightmare to break down. First, we have the Astros coming into the World Series after being undefeated in the postseason, only to drop game one to the Phillies in Houston (which was a shock to everyone–well, almost everyone). The Astros then went on to win game two and all seemed right with the world–that was until game three, where the Phillies put up seven unanswered runs and seemed to hit a home run every time they stepped to the plate. The Astros then bounced back by throwing a combined no-hitter in game four and then winning game five last night–so, this is the first taste of any kind of momentum we’ve seen all series. Can the Astros capitalize on that? Let’s take a look.

Here are my three best bets for Saturday night’s game six, including a prediction of who I think will win the game. The odds I’m using are provided by DraftKings Sportsbook. If DraftKings is unavailable in your state, you can check out this list of other online casinos in your area.

Game Six Start Time and Probable Pitchers:

Date: 11/05/2022

Time: 8:03 PM EST

Probable Pitchers: Zack Wheeler (PHI) and Framber Valdez (HOU)

Best Bet #1: Phillies Team Total Runs (First Five Innings) UNDER 1.5 (-135)

There’s no doubting the fact that the Phillies have a tough task ahead of them. Garbage cans or not, facing the Astros in Houston is never an easy feat–and now, they have to face off against starting pitcher Framber Valdez, who has been incredible all postseason. In three postseason starts this year, Valdez has only given up three runs in 19 combined innings and has tallied 24 strikeouts. His opposing batting average is only .177 and the most harm a hitter has done against him all postseason is hitting a double (Valdez has yet to give up a triple or home run). Now, this isn’t to say the Phillies will lose–you’ll have to read a little bit more to find that prediction–but if they win, I think it’ll definitely be done against the Astros bullpen and not against Framber Valdez. 

Best Bet #2: Houston Astros To Score First Inning YES (+275)

I’m coming at you hot with some big plus money here. I love first-inning bets because if they hit then you feel invincible, and if they miss, well, then you have the rest of the game to make up the money lost in the first inning. However, I really think this one has a good chance of hitting (despite what the odds may imply). The Astros have scored in the first inning in two of the games so far this World Series, and one of those games was against–you guessed it–Zack Wheeler, who will be taking the mound for the Phillies here in game six. I think the Astros come out hot and swinging for the fences, and one just so happens to find its way over them. 

Best Bet #3: Houston Astros To Win Outright (-150)

I know this wasn’t the surprise you all wanted it to be–I kind of gave it away with my two earlier picks. But, unfortunately for all the Phillies fans out there, I think Saturday night is the night when the Astros finally get it done. If you notice, though, I was way too scared to take the run line–I think -1.5 is way too many runs to give an Astros team that has been narrowly squeaking out victories all postseason (five of their ten wins have come within one run). All that said, I think the Astros become your 2022 World Series champions on Saturday night, as unfortunate as it may be.