Game three of the 2022 World Series kicks off at 8 PM EDT Monday night in Philadelphia. Lance McCullers, Jr. visits on Noah Syndergaard with the series even at one game apiece. McCullers stands 2-2 with a 2.77 ERA in 68 1/3 post-season innings going back to 2015. While home runs appear to be a weakness, seven of the ten long balls he allowed came in 14 2/3 innings during the 2020 post-season. He also walked a high number of batters, but gets away with it do to a .162 BA allowed with men on base, and a .136 BA allowed with runners in scoring position.
Syndergaard serves as the Phillies swing man this post season. He made a good three-inning start in the clinching game of the division series, finished a game, and pitched 1 1/3 scoreless relief in another. Overall in the post season, Syndergaard owns a 2-1 record and 2.30 ERA in 31 1/3 innings, recording 40 K. He could go three innings tonight, and then get a save on Thursday or Friday.
Enjoy!
McCullers only made a handful of starts before the playoffs. He started off shaky, having trouble finding control of all his pitches, but gradually improved. I can’t say if the stats bear this out but anyone could see him progress with each start. He’s still probably not back 100%, but 90% Lance is still pretty good. Plus he usually thrives on the road in stadiums full of rowdy fans.