A night after being blanked by the hard-hitting Philadelphia Phillies, the Houston Astros returned the favor in Game 4 by throwing only the second no-hitter in World Series history. Cristian Javier got Houston’s staff started with six clean innings, including nine strikeouts, and the bullpen took over from there with closer Ryan Pressly hammering in the final nails. The Astros will look to head home with a commanding 3-2 lead Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:03 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Chron’s Josh Criswell and Michael Shapiro will provide live updates throughout the World Series between the Astros and Phillies.
Ryan Pressly closes out no-hitter for Astros | Bottom 9
The Houston Astros made history in Game 4 of the World Series on Wednesday night.
Houston’s pitching staff shut down Philadelphia across nine no-hit innings, marking just the second no-hitter in World Series history. Former Yankees pitcher Don Larsen holds the only solo no-hitter in the Fall Classic after nine no-hit frames in the 1956 Fall Classic.
Cristian Javier dazzled with nine strikeouts across the first six innings on Wednesday. He then turned the game over to Houston’s brilliant bullpen, who didn’t let up with three more perfect frames. Closer Ryan Pressly slammed the door shut in the ninth with a strikeout, flyout and groundout to tie the series at 2–2 ahead of Game 5 on Thursday.
Astros continue no-hit bid | Top 9
Houston will enter the ninth eyeing the third no-hitter in playoff history. Roy Halladay tossed a no-hitter for the Phillies in the 2010 NLDS, and Don Larsen threw a perfect game for the Yankees in 1956.
Javier sets World Series mark not matched since 1969 | Bottom 6
Javier has a no-hitter through five | Top 6
Astros stretch lead on Gurriel single, lead 5-0 | Top 5
Astros pull ahead 3-0 in fifth | Top 5
Nola leaves game with bases loaded | Top 5
Astros strand two more in fourth, still 0-0 | Bottom 4
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 02: Yuli Gurriel #10 of the Houston Astros hits a single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning in Game Four of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 02, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesGame 4 still scoreless through three, 0-0 | Top 4
Neither offense has been able to find much production at the plate early in Game 4 of the World Series, with the contest tied at 0-0 heading to the fourth inning. The Houston Astros have a pair of hits—a single by Yordan Alvarez and a double by Kyle Tucker—while the Philadelphia Phillies have been held hitless through three frames.
Astros can’t convert scoring chance | Bottom 2
Javier gets out of the first | Top 2
Kyle Tucker will lead off the top of the second for the Astros after hitting two home runs off of Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola in Game 1.
Altuve flies out to start Game 4 | Top 1
It’s been a rough postseason for Jose Altuve. The Houston Astros second baseman had just seven hits in his first 45 at-bats, and he started off Game 4 with a flyout to center field. Houston is facing Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola for the second time after scoring five runs against him in Game 1.
Astros look to pounce against Nola | 6:55 p.m. CT
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 28: Kyle Tucker #30 of the Houston Astros hits a home run in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game One of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 28, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Sean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesNola will square off against Astros starter Christian Javier, who is making his first appearance in the 2022 Fall Classic.
Trey Mancini discusses Stand Up To Cancer moment | 6:35 p.m. CT
Pedro Martinez sees himself in Cristian Javier | 6:10 p.m. CT
Cristian Javier #51 of the Houston Astros poses for a photo during the 2022 World Series Workout Day at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, October 27, 2022 in Houston.
Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty ImagesReassessing the World Series MVP race | 5:46 p.m. CT
A betting favorite has emerged for the World Series MVP award in Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper, who has helped his team take a 2-1 series lead with a bomb shot early in front of the home crowd during Game 3. However, the stats seem to indicate that the MVP chase is tighter than sportsbook odds say. Read more >>
Mattress Mack gets into it with Phillies fan, has ‘no fear’ after big bet | 5:20 p.m. CT
Houston Astros superfan Mattress Mack walks on the field during batting practice prior to Game Two of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2022 in Houston.
Bob Levey/Getty ImagesTypically known for his jovial nature, Houston Astros superfan Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale had a heated moment with a Philadelphia Phillies supporter on Tuesday night. The Gallery Furniture founder would take home a record $75 million in gambling winnings if the Astros win the World Series. Read more >>
Lance McCullers Jr. on tipping pitches: ‘I got whupped. End of story.’ | 4:53 p.m. CT
Conversation began to swirl during Game 3 of the World Series on whether or not Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. was tipping his pitches, with everyone from Twitter commentators to former players chiming in. McCullers commented on the situation after the Philadelphia Phillies’ 7-0 victory. Read more >>
Starting lineups
Cristian Javier #53 of the Houston Astros reacts after recording the final out against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 22, 2022 in New York City.
Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesBelow are the starting lineups for Game 4 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies.
Houston Astros lineup:
Cristian Javier, SP
Philadelphia Phillies lineup:
Kyle Schwarber, LF
Rhys Hoskins, 1B
J.T. Realmuto, C
Bryce Harper, DH
Nick Castellanos, RF
Alec Bohm, 3B
Bryson Stott, SS
Jean Segura, 2B
Brandon Marsh, CF
Aaron Nola, SP
Astros’ struggles at top of lineup a key part in Game 3 loss
Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros reacts after getting out against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning in Game Three of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 01, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Elsa/Getty ImagesHow to watch
Every World Series game will be broadcast on FOX, with pregame coverage for Game 4 beginning at 6 p.m. CT. The games can also be live streamed on FOX Sports Go.
Betting odds
The Astros enter today’s game as the underdogs in terms of betting odds, albeit by a very narrow margin. On DraftKings, they are listed at -105 (i.e, a $105 bet would net $100 in winnings) on the money line and +155 on the -1.5 run line (Houston to win by at least two runs). Philadelphia is -115 on the money line and -180 on the +1.5 run line.
Houston entered the Fall Classic as the favorite to win the World Series at -190. However, after losing two of the first three games, they are now the underdogs at +120. The Phillies’ series odds have dropped from +165 to -140.
Pitching matchup
The Astros will turn to an arm that’s been reliable for the bulk of the year in righthander Cristian Javier. Javier struck out five while allowing just one hit in 5 1/3 shutout innings in his only start of the postseason, which came in a 5-0 win over the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS. He posted a career-best 2.54 ERA during the regular season while going 11-9 with 11.7 strikeouts per nine innings.
Philadelphia will give the ball to its ace in Game 4, as Aaron Nola takes the mound looking to rebound from a rocky World Series debut. Although the Phillies won Game 1 after rallying from a 5-0 deficit, Nola was tagged for six hits and five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. He was much more productive during the regular season, posting a 3.25 ERA while leading the majors with an 8.1 strikeout-to-walk ratio—a Phillies franchise record.
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