Justin Verlander seemed excited to see the fans outside Citizens Bank Park on Monday afternoon, but the Astros ace will have to wait an extra day to pitch in front of them.
Astros manager Dusty Baker said he will not shuffle his rotation the way the Phillies did after Game 3 of the World Series was rained out Monday night. Lance McCullers Jr., who was scheduled to start Monday, will start on Tuesday and Cristian Javier will remain the Game 4 starter on Wednesday.
The Phillies are moving Ranger Suárez and Aaron Nola, originally scheduled to start Games 4 and 5, to Games 3 and 4. Manager Rob Thomson said the Phillies will pitch Noah Syndergaard, who was scheduled to start Game 3, or Kyle Gibson in Game 5.
Baker could have used Verlander, who bantered with heckling fans as the Astros left the bus earlier on Monday, in Game 4 on normal rest but will start him with an extra day of rest in Thursday’s Game 5. The Astros would then have Framber Valdez, who dominated the Phillies in Game 2, available to start Game 6 and McCullers could pitch Game 7 on normal rest.
“Well, the equation was Javier’s been really good, No. 1,” Baker said. “And No. 2, we feel that that extra day off wouldn’t hurt Justin. It would probably be to his benefit.”
The Phillies scored five runs against Verlander in Game 1 after he was spotted a five-run lead. He led the majors this season with a 1.75 ERA and will likely win the American League Cy Young Award. But the 39-year-old right-hander has been roughed up in two of his three postseason starts and has never recorded a win in the World Series. The Astros hope an extra day gives him a better chance.
All the context Darren… Whole interaction was in jest as all the fans around you were just saying hello in their native tongue. So I responded in kind. 🤣 🤣 all in good fun. I enjoyed the banter. Also, nobody broke the window. Was just like that 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/PSk5jzK2nT
McCullers allowed four runs, three of which were earned, in five innings against the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.
The right-hander didn’t pitch this season until August after suffering a strained flexor tendon in his forearm during last year’s playoffs. He has reached the seventh inning in just two of his 10 starts since returning. He started against the Phillies the night they clinched a postseason berth as he allowed one run on six hits in six innings.
Javier pitched in relief in the American League Division Series before pitching 5⅓ scoreless innings against the Yankees. The right-hander had a 2.54 ERA in the regular season over 30 games, 25 of which were starts. Javier has not pitched into the seventh inning since July, so the Astros will likely lean on their bullpen the next two nights.
“You have to deal with the elements. You play where you have to play,” Baker said. “Plus this team, I think we had the best road record in the American League. And all of them weren’t domes. So we played where we have to play.”
A fan is silhouetted as game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros was postponed at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Fans begin to leave as an announcement is made, and posted on the video board, that game 3 of the World Series against the Houston Astros has been postponed due to rain at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreHeather Khalifa / Staff Photographer
Stephen Tyson, 27, of Tampa, Fla., watches as the field is covered due to rain at baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff photographer
Maryjane, left, and James Dambach of Philadelphia sit in the stands after game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros was postponed at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022. It was their 35th wedding anniversary.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
A fan in a Batman costume leaves after game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros was postponed at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Fans react after an announcement is made that game 3 of the World Series against the Houston Astros has been postponed due to rain at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreHeather Khalifa / Staff Photographer
Maria Smith, left, and Jen Galbreath sit in the stands after game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros was postponed at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Fans leave Citizens Bank Park after Game 3 of baseball's World Series was postponed due to rain on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
A fan looks dejected as rain falls at the Citizens Bank Park before Game 3 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia. The game was postponed by rain Monday night with the matchup tied 1-1.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Fans react to the postponement of game 3 of the World Series against the Houston Astros has been postponed due to rain at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreHeather Khalifa / Staff Photographer
Fans shield from the rain at the Citizens Bank Park before Game 3 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia. The game was postponed by rain Monday night with the matchup tied 1-1.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Fans sit in the stands after game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros was postponed at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Jonah Daniels of Ridley, PA came to game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros with his father, Jon, right at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
A fan looks dejected as rain falls at the Citizens Bank Park before Game 3 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia. The game was postponed by rain Monday night with the matchup tied 1-1.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Christine Swalley and Mick Delinsky, of Reading, Pa. Swalley says she is the Queen of Hearts, trying to get the attention of Bryce Harper. The two are outside baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Nevaeh Jackson, 6, of Philadelphia, is dressed as a carnival clown outside baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Robert Marmarosa, 64, of Naples, Florida, with birds Dino and Big Bird at baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Cathy Cruz, 42, of Lancaster County, outside baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Chalk artist Mike MacAulay, of Rhode Island, outside baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Wes Sheffer, 33, of Conshohocken, Pa., dressed as Mario outside baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Lauren Lee dances in a Phantic-inspired Halloween costume before game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Eric Simpson bought this Phillies Halloween costume in 2017 when the team wasn't successful and has been waiting for the opportunity to wear it in better times. He is shown before game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Nolan Ginion, 11, of Cinnaminson, N.J. dressed as a good luck charm for the Phillies on Halloween. He is shown before game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Dave Reph of Whitehall, PA before game 3 of the World Series between the Phillies and Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Oct. 31, 2022.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Skye Lee, 27, of Yardley, is dressed as Phillies Chuckie outside baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Andrea Karweck, a lime, and Matt Karweck, a fish taco, both from Hamilton, N.Y., at baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Tommy Dambra, 7, from Marlton, N.J., dressed as Rhys Hoskins at baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Kierstin Kee, 29, and Allie Foster, 29, celebrate Halloween as they work during baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Tyler Artes, 23, from Riverside, N.J., dressed as a hotdog at baseball's World Series in Game 3 against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in Philadelphia.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
