World Series Game Three: Raining Longballs

November 2, 2009. On that day, the Philadelphia Phillies played Game Five of the World Series against the New York Yankees, which was a win for the Phils that kept hope alive, but they would lose Game Six. That day was the last time a World Series game took place in The City of Brotherly Love, and after nearly 13 years, Philly was ready for the World Series to make its long awaited return. Then Mother Nature happened. Rain caused Game Three of this year's World Series to be pushed back a day; in fact, the entire series was pushed back one day, meaning that the latest date for the Series is now November 6.

The postponement allowed the Phils to change their plans regarding their starter; originally, it was supposed to be Noah Syndergaard taking the mound for Game Three, but it was changed to Ranger Suarez with the postponement. On Houston's side, it was still Lance McCullers, Jr. on the mound, and this would end up being a night he'd like to forget.

Plain and simple--the Phillies crushed everything out of the park in Game Three. Bryce Harper's two-run HR in the first, Alec Bohm had a solo shot of his own in the second, and it was followed by Brandon Marsh going yard later in the inning. It was 4-0 Phillies, but they were not done. Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run shot in the fifth, and Rhys Hoskins homered later in the inning. Phils went up 7-0, and that ended up being the final score, as Suarez only gave up three hits in five innings, while McCullers gave up all five Philadelphia homers.

The Phillies are two wins away from their first championship since 2008. The city of Philadelphia went from seeing literal rain on Monday to a rainfall of longballs on Tuesday, it was just an amazing feat by the Phillies. It was not a good day at the office for McCullers, who has given up 10 earned runs in his last two postseason starts. It was almost fitting that McCullers started this game, as Game Three took place on the five year anniversary of the Astros' World Championship, as McCullers started Game Seven against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

When the Series is tied 1-1, the winner of Game Three goes on to win the whole thing 38 out of 68 times. The Phils are in good company right now, as they have a 2-1 lead in the Fall Classic, and they will be at home for the next two. They can win the whole thing if they take the net two, while all it takes is one Houston win to force the Series to return to the Lone Star State. It will not be easy for the Astros. Game Four is Wednesday in Philadelphia, and the Phillies will send their ace in the hole, Aaron Nola, to the mound.

Nola is 2-1 this postseason, but after being lights out in his first two starts, he's been knocked around a bit in his last two. Even so, Nola is the perfect pitcher needed for the Phils to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the Fall Classic. As for the aforementioned Syndergaard, he'll take the mound on Game Five, which could be a big game for the Phils, but for Houston, it'll be Cristian Javier pitching Game Four, followed by Justin Verlander on the mound for Game Five, which could be a pivotal one should the Astros even things up.

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