Justin Verlander is a great pitcher, a likely Hall of Famer. Except when it comes to the World Series. Verlander is 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight World Series starts. That ugly pattern stayed true in Game 1 when he gave up five runs in five innings in a 6-5 loss.

The Phillies are going with their least dependable rotation starter, Noah Syndergaard. He had a 3.94 regular season ERA and is far removed from the once feared strikeout machine. The Phillies showed their lack of confidence in Syndergaard when they decided to go with Ranger Suarez in Monday's Game 3 instead of Syndergaard when the game originally was rained out. Not only does Syndergaard allow many base runners, but he's one of the easiest pitchers in the league to steal on.

These are two well-above-average offenses playing in a hitter's park. Forget yesterday's no-hitter. This is a new game with new pitchers, both of whom have vulnerabilities.