Lance McCullers Jr. comments on if he was tipping pitches in Game 3
McCullers #McCullers
It was a night to forget for Lance McCullers Jr. in Game 3 of the World Series on Tuesday.
One of the heroes of the Houston Astros’ 2017 championship run failed to deliver in the Fall Classic, and he was punished by the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup in historic fashion. McCullers allowed five home runs across 4 1/3 innings, setting a major league record for the most home runs allowed in a World Series game.
Houston’s offense didn’t help McCullers and the Astros stay in the contest, as it failed to register an extra-base hit across all nine innings. The Astros lost the game 7-0.
McCullers’ struggles on Tuesday were a reversal of his typical postseason performances. He entered Tuesday night with a 2.77 career playoff ERA, and he allowed just three earned runs across two postseason starts in the American League portion of the 2022 playoffs.
As McCullers struggled, fans and analysts alike speculated on whether or not he was tipping his pitches. A chat between Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm and Bryce Harper added to the intrigue, as Harper called Bohm over to talk right before Bohm sent a ball over the left-field fence.
McCullers addressed whether he thought he was tipping pitches after the game.
“I think guys have conversations all the time before at-bats and innings and things like that,” McCullers said. “I’m not going to sit there and say anything like that. I got whupped. End of story.”
Houston manager Dusty Baker offered a similar sentiment when addressing the media.
“Guys are always looking for something, always looking to see if they’re tipping their pitches,” Baker said. “We didn’t see anything. Sometimes they just hit you.”
McCullers’ disappointing outing has placed the Astros in a 2–1 series deficit, with a Game 4 win necessary to avoid an elimination game in Philadelphia on Thursday night. The road doesn’t get easier from here for Baker’s squad, either. Phillies ace Aaron Nola will take the mound on Wednesday, backed by a bullpen armed with three days rest.
After a disastrous night in Philadelphia, the Astros now face an uphill climb in pursuit of the franchise’s second World Series title.