Philadelphia Phillies vs Houston Astros Game 1 of the World Series: pitchers, lineups, stats, etc.

Game 1 of the World Series begins tonight, Friday, October 28 at 8 p.m. ET at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

In the regular season, the Astros won 106 games, finishing as No. 1 in the American League. The Phillies won just 87 games after making a change at the manager position back in June and barely made it to this point with the help of the newly implemented third Wild Card spot. The Phillies are the underdogs, but if they can get ahead early when they play in Houston, they will have a better chance at victory. The first two games are in Houston, but the next three are in Philly, which could work to their advantage.

Facts to know ahead of the series

This will be the Phillies’ first World Series since 2009 when they lost to the Yankees in six games. The Astros are 11-1 in October and that one loss came from none other than the Phillies, who beat them 3-0 on October 3 in Houston. The Astros are 9-15 all-time in the World Series, losing six of the last eight in the Fall Classic. They are 3-8 all-time at home in the World Series, losing six of their last seven World Series games at home.

2022 World Series starting lineups

Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup

LF K. Schwarber L

1B Rhys Hoskins R

C J. Realmuto R

DH Bryce Harper L

RF N. Castellanos R

3B Alec Bohm R

CF B. Marsh L

2B Jean Segura R

SS Bryson Stott L

Houston Astros starting lineup

2B Jose Altuve R

SS Jeremy Pena R

LF Y. Alvarez L

3B Alex Bregman R

RF Kyle Tucker L

1B Yuli Gurriel R

DH Trey Mancini R

CF C. McCormick R

C M. Maldonado R

2022 World Series starting pitchers Game 1

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Game 1

Aaron Nola. The last time Nola faced the Astros, it was on October 3 at Minute Maid Park and the Phillies clinched that third Wild Card Spot. In that game, Nola pitched six 2/3 perfect innings before allowing the Astros a few hits. Nola is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in the 2022 postseason.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Game 1

Justin Verlander. Verlander’s last game against the Phillies was on October 4, when he didn’t let a single hit fly for five innings. He finished the regular season 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA. In the 2022 postseason, Verlander is 1-0 with a 6.30 ERA. In his postseason career, Verlander is 15-11 with a 3.55 ERA in 33 games (32 starts), but 0-6 with a 5.68 ERA in his seven World Series starts.

Phillies vs Houston Game 1: Injuries

The whole Phillies team is healthy and well and prepared for Game 1, at least on paper. Kyle Schwarber did hurt his right knee late in the regular season, but is reported to be pushing through it. The Astros only have outfielder Michael Brantley and catcher Jason Castro out with injuries, but they’ve been out since June.

Stats to know ahead of Game 1

Phillies’ Bryce Harper is batting .419 with six doubles, five home runs, 11 RBIs, and a 1.351 OPS in the postseason.

Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber is batting .368 with three home runs, four RBIs, and a 1.442 OPS in the last seven playoff games.

The Phillies are batting a collective .237/.307/.402 with 16 homers, 23 doubles, and 31 walks.

The Astros’ team ERA in 72 postseason innings is 1.88, including the 18 shutout innings they put up against the Seattle Mariners in the AL Division Series.

Astros’ pitcher Bryan Abreu has allowed three hits and two walks plus 10 strikeouts in six 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Astros are 7-0 in the playoffs heading into the World Series.

Astros’ shortstop, rookie Jeremy Peña hit .303/.324/.667 overall with a team-high three home runs plus three doubles.

Astros’ Alex Bregman hit .333/.375/.600 with two home runs and a team-high seven RBIs.

Astros’ José Altuve is hitting at just 78.8 mph in the post season, which is 6 mph slower than in the regular season.

Phillies’ Zach Wheeler has allowed five total runs in four starts for a 1.78 ERA and 25-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He’s averaging 13.6 pitches per inning and 86 per outing.

Astros manager Dusty Baker has reached the World Series for the third time in his career and for the second consecutive season. However, he has yet to win one. Last year, the Astros lost the World Series to the Atlanta Braves in six games. In 2002, he managed the San Francisco Giants, who lost in seven games to the Anaheim Angels.