World Series Game 4 FAQ, lineups (LIVE on FOX)
PHILADELPHIA -- After a five-homer party in which Lance McCullers Jr. was unwittingly stuck with the tab, they’ll sweep the stands and set up in hopes of another celebration at Citizens Bank Park. Game 4 of the World Series looms on Wednesday night, and the onus is on the Astros to quiet the Phillies’ bats and the crowd and start making some noise of their own, lest this Fall Classic start to fall from their hands.
Here’s why it is so important for the Astros to stall the Phillies’ momentum here: In all best-of-seven postseason series, teams up 3-1 have gone on to win the series 85% of the time (78 of 92). In series with the 2-3-2 format, teams holding a 3-1 lead and playing Game 5 at home (as the Phillies would) have gone on to win 82% of the time (26 of 32).
The first benefit that Monday’s postponement provided the Phillies was it allowed Ranger Suárez to start Game 3 instead of Game 4, and Suárez seized the opportunity with five scoreless innings. The second benefit is that it allows Aaron Nola to start Game 4 instead of Game 5, and we’ll see if he can do the same after struggling in his last two postseason starts (11 runs on 13 hits, including four homers, in nine innings).
“I think just some fastballs that have kind of been a little bit over the plate,” Nola said of his tater troubles, “and they have connected with.”
The Phillies famously did a lot of connecting off McCullers in a record-setting night, and so it is imperative for the Astros that Cristian Javier deliver in a difficult environment. Fortunately, Javier has some experience in this area, having pitched brilliantly in the Bronx (5 1/3 scoreless innings) in his ALCS start.
“The guy's evolved,” manager Dusty Baker said. “He didn't spend much time in the Minor Leagues. He's evolved as far as throwing strikes better. His breaking ball is better than it was last year or even the year before that. He's a very confident young man, but he's a very quiet young man that really pays attention to everything.”
You know what’s not quiet? Citizens Bank Park when the Phillies are rocking. In Game 4, the Astros need to flip on the lights and call off the party.
When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 4, which will air on FOX at 8 p.m. ET/7 CT, is scheduled for Wednesday.
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Who are the starting pitchers?
Astros: Right-hander Cristian Javier (1-0, 1.35 ERA) will face the Phillies for the first time in his brief career. He threw 1 1/3 innings in relief in Game 1 of the ALDS on Oct. 11 against the Mariners and held the Yankees to one hit in 5 1/3 scoreless innings in his Game 3 start of the ALCS on Oct. 22 in New York. He threw three games in relief in last year’s World Series, but Game 4 will be his first career start in the Fall Classic.
Phillies: Right-hander Aaron Nola (2-1, 4.57 ERA) hopes to rebound in Game 4 after struggling in Game 1 in Houston, allowing five runs in only 4 1/3 innings. Nola has been hit hard in each of his last two starts, including Game 2 of the NLCS against the Padres in San Diego. Before that, he allowed one unearned run in 12 2/3 innings against St. Louis in the Wild Card Series and Atlanta in the NLDS.
What are the starting lineups?
Astros: The Astros were shut out in a World Series game for the fourth time in franchise history in Game 3 and didn’t even manage an extra-base hit. While there’s not much Baker can do to shake up the bulk of his lineup -- he has gone with the same top six hitters in each playoff game this season -- he did tweak the bottom third for Game 4. Yordan Alvarez shifts to DH, while Aledmys Díaz (0-for-8 with four strikeouts against Nola) gets the start in left field. Trey Mancini, whose hitless postseason was extended to 17 at-bats in Game 3, will be available off the bench. Christian Vázquez, who hasn't played since Game 1 of this series, starts at catcher in place of Martín Maldonado.
1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Jeremy Peña, SS
3. Yordan Alvarez, DH
4. Alex Bregman, 3B
5. Kyle Tucker, RF
6. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
7. Christian Vázquez, C
8. Aledmys Díaz, LF
9. Chas McCormick, CF
Phillies: As expected, manager Rob Thomson didn't change a thing with his lineup. This is the lineup he has used throughout the postseason against right-handed pitching.
1. Kyle Schwarber, LF
2. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
3. J.T. Realmuto, C
4. Bryce Harper, DH
5. Nick Castellanos, RF
6. Alec Bohm, 3B
7. Bryson Stott, SS
8. Jean Segura, 2B
9. Brandon Marsh, CF
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Astros: The Astros used none of their high-leverage playoff relievers in Game 3, which means Rafael Montero, Héctor Neris, Bryan Abreu and Ryan Pressly will be well-rested for Game 4. Even if Javier gets pulled from the game early, Luis Garcia is available to provide some length.
Phillies: Everything went so well Tuesday that the Phils will have a well-rested bullpen in Game 4. They used right-handers Connor Brogdon, Kyle Gibson, Nick Nelson and Andrew Bellatti in Game 3. Gibson started in the regular season, and Nelson was the long man, meaning every one of Thomson’s most high-leverage relievers will be ready to roll. That includes Bellatti, who threw only 14 pitches.
Any injuries of note?
Astros: The Astros don’t have any injuries.
Phillies: Philadelphia is healthy, although right-hander Zack Wheeler is dealing with what the club calls arm fatigue. Wheeler is scheduled to start Game 6 in Houston, if necessary.
Who is hot and who is not?
Astros: After going 4-for-9 in the first two games of the World Series, Altuve went 0-for-4 in Game 3. … Alvarez is 4-for-32 with 12 strikeouts since hitting two game-winning homers in the first two games of the ALDS. … Tucker is 3-for-12 in the World Series, Bregman is 2-for-11 and Peña is 3-for-12.
Phillies: Harper’s six home runs this postseason are second in Phillies postseason history. Jayson Werth hit seven homers in 2009. Harper’s 12 extra-base hits are the most in Phillies postseason history. Ryan Howard (2009) and Werth (2008) are second with 10. … Hoskins’ six postseason homers are tied with Harper, Chase Utley (2009) and Lenny Dykstra (1993) for second. … Bohm has not had a great offensive postseason, but he has made his hits count. His six extra-base hits are the most by a third baseman in Phillies postseason history. Pedro Feliz (2008) and Dave Hollins (1993) are second with five. Mike Schmidt had four in 1980.
Anything else fans might want to know?
• The Phillies tied a World Series record with five home runs in a game. The Astros (Oct. 29, 2017, vs. Dodgers), A’s (Oct. 27, 1989, vs. Giants) and Yankees (Oct. 9, 1928, vs Cardinals) are the only others.
• The Astros have been shut out in three of their last seven World Series games, compared to once in their previous 20 World Series games.
• In all best-of-seven postseason series tied 1-1, the Game 3 winner has captured the series 68 of 98 times (69%). In series with the current 2-3-2 format, teams breaking a 1-1 tie by winning Game 3 in their home ballpark have gone on to win the series 29 of 47 times (62%), including the Phillies in the 2022 NLCS vs the Padres.