Bombs Away, The Phillies Destroy The Astros In Game 3

Image Courtesy of Sporting News

Last night was the first World Series game played in Philadelphia since 2009, and the city was ready and waiting. The Philadelphia Phillies came out the gates storming hot with a two-run home run in the first inning, by none other than superstar Bryce Harper, and then never looked back. The Philadelphia Phillies also actually tied the record for the most home runs hit in a single World Series game with five.

All five of these home runs came off starting pitcher for the Houston Astros, Lance McCullers Jr., a record for most let up by a single pitcher in a World Series game. Baseball analysts and fans are saying that McCullers Jr. was tipping his pitches so the batters knew what was coming at them. Catcher J.T. Realmuto said that the Phillies hitters had just seen McCullers Jr. in one of their final regular season games, and got a good look at his pitches then, leaving them middle of the plate last night. 

As a fan I believe both of these cases to be true. It looked like the Philadelphia Phillies were seeing beach balls. Before Alec Bohm hit his big home run in the second inning, Harper called him over and gave him some advice. And the first pitch he saw, home run! Brandon Marsh also hit a home run during the second inning followed by two fifth inning bombs by Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins.

The Phillies are a different team this postseason when playing in front of their home crowd at Citizens Bank Park. Byce Harper said there is definitely home field advantage in Philly, and when your team is now 6-0 at home in the playoffs I’d say he's right. Besides just wins and losses, the Phillies home field advantage has shown staggering stats for the team: seven runs per game compared to 3.8 when away; seventeen home runs at home versus five on the road; starter ERA 2.8 at home and 3.9 away; bullpen 1.59 era at home while 3.38 away.

I think Houston may have a problem…