Smith: Astros, Dusty Baker need to wake up unless they want a repeat of 2019 and 2021

PHILADELPHIA — Dusty Baker kept allowing Lance McCullers Jr. to get hammered.

Home run, home run, home run. Two more huge ones followed and Game 3 was officially toast, with Citizens Bank Park celebrating like Philly had just won it all in one glorious night.

As another Astros starting arm was pummeled in this World Series, the past and present stared Baker’s suddenly struggling club in the face.

Wake up, Astros.

Before it’s again too late.

Remember Washington in 2019?

Atlanta in 2021?

It’s happening again to the “better” team.

Two more defeats, and the Astros will be World Series losers to a better National League East squad in a third consecutive Fall (un)Classic.

It was 2-0 Phillies in the first inning on Tuesday night. It was 4-0 Philadelphia after the second.

Danger, danger, danger.

Move on from the clearly struggling McCullers and try to string rested bullpen arms together, building a modern road to victory like Phillies manager Rob Thomson did in Game 1?

Not in a horrific fifth on Tuesday, as Baker kept McCullers on the mound and two more huge Philly blasts followed.

The end: 7-0 Phillies, as the National League’s best club swung the Fall Classic and grabbed a 2-1 series lead with pure power.

The first inning was all wrong for the road team.

Jose Altuve answered extremely loud booing and a prolonged “Cheater” chant with a looping liner to shallow right field. But Nick Castellanos, who came up big late in Game 1, gloved the would-be leadoff single and Ranger Suárez only required nine pitches to quiet the Astros in the top of the frame.

McCullers faced all the noise in the follow up. Kyle Schwarber walked after a 3-2 count. Another 3-2 count preceded Bryce Harper, who unloaded on McCullers’ first offering and gave the Phillies a 2-0 advantage via a 402-foot blast that was gone the moment that Harper made contact.

The second inning was even worse for McCullers.

Alec Bohm homered. Brandon Marsh homered. It was 4-0 Phillies before McCullers could record six outs.

Thomson’s slugging crew feasted on McCullers’ off-speed offerings. With the Astros’ Game 3 starter no longer throwing consistent fire and Cristian Javier inked in for Game 4, McCullers required 43 pitches to make it through two innings and was never in control.

The Astros blew a 5-0 lead in Game 1 — after Baker stuck with Justin Verlander for too long — and the Phillies won a 6-5 stunner in 10 innings.

Framber Valdez guided the American League’s best team to a strong 5-2 win in Game 2.

After a travel day was followed by a rainout, Game 3 would provide instant momentum for one side.

“Those guys are in the same boat that we’re in,” Baker said pregame. “So it just depends who wants it the most and who has the greatest mental control to fool themselves that we have been playing every day.”

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1of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after giving up a 2-run home run to Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper for a 2-0 lead in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 2of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after giving up a 2-run home run to Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper for a 2-0 lead in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 3of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after giving up a 2-run home run to Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper for a 2-0 lead in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 4of119Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) celebrates with Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos (8) after hitting a 2-run home run off Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 5of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts as Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper runs the bases after giving up a 2-run home run in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 6of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts as Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper runs the bases after giving up a 2-run home run in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 7of119Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper (3) hits a 2-run home run off Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 8of119Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado (15) fields a pop fly by Philadelphia Phillies J.T. Realmuto in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 9of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) makes a face while facing Philadelphia Phillies J.T. Realmuto in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 10of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after walking Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 11of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) delivers in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 12of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) delivers in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 13of119Philadelphia Phillies fans cheer after starting pitcher Ranger Suarez strikes out Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez to end the top of the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 14of119Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) delivers in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 15of119Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins (17) fields the throw to shortstop Bryson Stott to get out Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 16of119Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos (8) shows his glove after making a catch on Houston Astros Jose Altuve’s line drive in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 17of119Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) recasts after Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos caught his line drive in the first inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 18of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) walks to the dugout beside catcher Martin Maldonado (15) before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 19of119Philadelphia Phillies cheer before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 20of119Fans cheer before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 21of119Basketball Hall of Fame Julius “Dr. J” Erving, right, is seen beside baseball Hall of Fame Mike Schmidt, left, before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 22of119Houston Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy (65) is seen before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 23of119Philadelphia Phillies players are seen as the national anthem plays before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 24of119An American flag is seen as the national anthem plays before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 25of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) warms up in the bullpen before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 26of119Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) is seen as players are introduced before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 27of119Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) visits with Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 28of119Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) is seen beside manager Dusty Baker Jr. (12) as players are introduced before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 29of119Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) is introduced beside third baseman Alex Bregman (2) before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 30of119Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) gets a high-five from pitcher Justin Verlander (35) as he is introduced before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 31of119Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez (59) motions alongside pitcher Cristian Javier (53) as they wait for players introductions before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 32of119Houston Astros stand for player introductions before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 33of119Houston Astros fans are seen before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 34of119Philadelphia Phillies fans hold a sign in reference to the Houston Astros’ 2017 sign stealing scandal before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 35of119Members of the military and law enforcement bring out an American flag before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 36of119A fan holds up a sign before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 37of119Houston Astros owner Jim Crane is seen before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 38of119Houston Astros fans are seen before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 39of119Former Houston Astros and Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, left, watches batting practice beside manager Dusty Baker Jr. before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 40of119Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is seen before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 41of119Houston Astros Justin Verlander, Michael Brantley and Kyle Tucker watch batting practice before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 42of119A Philadelphia Phillies fan holds up a sign reading “Houston you have a problem” before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 43of119Houston Astros batting equipment is seen before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 44of119A Houston Astros fan wears a pineapple costume as a nod to Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel, also known as “La Piña” for his hair style, before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 45of119Houston Astros Jeremy Peña, left, talks with Yuli Gurriel during batting practice before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 46of119Houston Astros Alex Bregman takes batting practice before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 47of119Houston Astros Jose Altuve watches batting practice before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 48of119Houston Astros Martin Maldonado is seen sporting an orange mohawk before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 49of119Houston Astros take batting practice before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 50of119Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. watches batting practice before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 51of119

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale is seen before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.

Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 52of119Houston Astros Christian Vazquez (9) blows a bubble during batting practice before Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 53of119Houston Astors shortstop Jeremy Peña, left, and right fielder Kyle Tucker were named the American League Gold Glove recipients prior to Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. Peña became the first rookie to win the award at the position.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 54of119Houston Astors Kyle Tucker was named the American League Gold Glove recipient at right field prior to Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 55of119Houston Astors Kyle Tucker was named the American League Gold Glove recipient at right field prior to Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 56of119Houston Astros Jeremy Peña was named the American League Gold Glove recipient at shortstop prior to Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. Peña became the first rookie to win the award at the position.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 57of119Houston Astros Jeremy Peña was named the American League Gold Glove recipient at shortstop prior to Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. Peña became the first rookie to win the award at the position.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 58of119Houston Astors shortstop Jeremy Peña, left, and right fielder Kyle Tucker were named the American League Gold Glove recipients prior to Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. Peña became the first rookie to win the award at the position.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 59of119Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) reacts after grounding out to Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm in the third inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 60of119A Philadelphia Phillies fan holds up a sign referencing the Astros’ 2017 sign stealing scandal as Jose Altuve waits to bat in the third inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 61of119Fans hold up signs as Houston Astros Jose Altuve bats in the third inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 62of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after getting Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber to ground out to end the second inning after giving up a pair of solo home runs during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 63of119Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (10) fields a ground ball by Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber in the second inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 64of119Philadelphia Phillies fans stretch out to catch Brandon Marsh’s solo home run over the head go Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker in the second inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 65of119in the second inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Jon Shapley/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 66of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) is seen after giving up a solo home run to Philadelphia Phillies Brandon Marsh in the second inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 67of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after giving up a solo home run to Philadelphia Phillies Alec Bohm in the second inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 68of119Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) reacts after giving up a solo home run to Philadelphia Phillies Alec Bohm in the second inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Karen Warren/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 69of119Philadelphia Phillies Alec Bohm, right, gets a fist-bump from Bryson Stott after hitting a solo home run off Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. in the second inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less 70of119Philadelphia Phillies Alec Bohm (28) gets a high-five from third base coach Dusty Wathan (62) after hitting a solo home run off Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. in the second inning during Game 3 of the World Series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia.Brett Coomer/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less