The Houston Astros still don’t know what it’s like to lose in the 2022 MLB postseason, with a 7-0 record that they will be looking to extend to 8-0 tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies in the beginning of the World Series.
That doesn’t mean they haven’t been close to losing, or looked vulnerable at certain stages of games.
In fact, Houston may be facing a potential concern with slow starts.
“For context, the #Astros started slowly in Game 1 of the last two series: ALDS: Trailed 4-0 after 2 innings, did not lead until the last swing of the game. ALCS: Scored 1 run through 5 innings, did not lead until the 6th,” MLB insider Jon Morosi tweeted.
For context, the #Astros started slowly in Game 1 of the last two series:
ALDS: Trailed 4-0 after 2 innings, did not lead until the last swing of the game.
ALCS: Scored 1 run through 5 innings, did not lead until the 6th.@MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 28, 2022
Tonight’s starter, Justin Verlander, did not have a good game against the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS, allowing those four early runs.
The Phillies May Have A Chance To Steal Home-field Advantage
Houston was eventually able to turn the score around thanks to Yordan Alvarez‘s walk-off homer, but who knows what would have happened if Seattle had taken a 1-0 lead in a best-of-five series.
They also started the game down in the score against the New York Yankees in the ALCS, with Verlander once again surrendering an early run.
In that game, however, he pitched admirably and the Astros were able to come back sooner.
Verlander has been having some issues early in games during the postseason, and if the Phillies could capitalize on that, they would have a great chance at stealing Game 1 and home-field advantage as a consequence.
Not only would they need to attack early and often, but Aaron Nola would have to shut down the Astros’ premier offense.
That’s definitely easier said than done.
In the end, Houston is very hard to beat at Minute Maid Park, but it’s not impossible.
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