MLB World Series DFS Showdown Playbook: Philadelphia Phillies vs Houston Astros Game 5
Philadelphia Phillies vs Houston Astros
Moneyline: HOU -156
O/U: 7.5
After Houston took Game 4 on a combined no-hitter in a game started by Cristian Javier, we have Game 5 on Thursday between the Astros and Phillies as the series is now tied up 2-2. This game is being played in Philadelphia before the series shifts back to Houston.
MVP/CPT
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
We should only expect Alvarez to see Noah Syndergaard once as not one of Syndergaard's outings this postseason has surpassed three innings. Few players in this series have a higher upside than Alvarez, especially with a righty on the mound. Alvarez has a .338 ISO and .424 wOBA versus right-handed pitchers this year.
Justin Verlander, Houston Astros
I know Verlander wasn’t great in the game against the Phillies in Game 2, but we know what he’s capable of. The likely Cy Young this year allowed just one earned run in his previous postseason start against the Yankees. Verlander struck out 10 Phillies in his final start of the regular season, so he’s had success against them this season. He checks in at -134 favorite on the road, too.
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Harper is having an absolutely incredible postseason. One for the ages. To this point, he’s belted six home runs, is batting .368, and has posted a 1.199 OPS. Harper has been great against right-handed pitching this year, notching a .249 ISO and .379 wOBA.
UTIL
Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros
Few players in the league, let alone this game, have as much upside as Kyle Tucker does. He has a two-home-run game this postseason and finished the regular season with 33 home runs and 25 stolen bases. Tucker has a .206 ISO and a .355 wOBA against righties this year.
Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros
Pena continues to have a lot of playoff success with another two hits on Wednesday. He’s hit in five straight games and has hit in 10 of 11 overall this postseason. Pena is hitting .300 with a .907 OPS this season in the postseason. Hard to find many better options at his price.
Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies
You play Hoskins for one reason and one reason only. The chance he hits a home run. He’s belted five homers over his last 10 games this postseason. Profiles far better in tournaments than cash games.
Yuli Gurriel, Houston Astros
Another guy that has been super successful this postseason. He had a terrible regular season but that has not translated this postseason. He’s hitting .348 this postseason with a .840 OPS. He’s homered twice and swiped two bags as well.
Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies
Marsh has had a very up and down playoff run and has twice homered and had absolutely monster outings. He’s in an extremely tough match-up against Justin Verlander, but Marsh hit righties extremely well this season batting .312.
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Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.