Here Are Three Things We Have Learned So Far In The World Series

A nail-biting, intense extra-inning Game 1 for the Phillies and a salvaging Game 2 win for the Astros resulted in an even World Series heading to Philadelphia for the next three games.

Here are some of the key points evident in the World Series so far.

1. Justin Verlander says hello to Phillies fans

One thing we have learned, is Justin Verlander can gesture in Phillies vernacular. When asked why he flipped the bird to Philadelphia Phillies fans, as he was greeted by them when he got off the team bus on Monday, Verlander simply said he was saying hello to Phillies fans in their native tongue. Rude to many, heroic for some, it has not changed the fact that Verlander is winless in his 8 staright starts in the World Series.

2. Battle of the rookie shortstops

A pair of dynamic rookie shortstops are battling head-to-head for the first time in a Fall Classic. The Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, who earns only $700,000 and was the American League Championship Series MVP, has connected a pair of doubles in the two World Series games. His counterpart on the other side, is Bryson Stott, a Phillies first-round pick. Stott will give way to Edmundo Sosa at shortstop, with lefty Framber Valdez taking the mound for Houston in Game 3.

3. Starting rotation intact for one, not for the other

Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler are the big-arm pitchers for the Phillies, and Philadelphia will alter their Series rotation thanks to the Game 3 postponment. Rested starters, thanks to the rain cancellation, Ranger Suárez takes the mound for Game 3 and Aaron Nola for Game 4 with original Game 3 starter Noah Syndergaard, available out of the bullpen for Game 3, or the starter for Game 5. Meantime, the Astros are sticking with their rotation despite the Monday postponment of Game 3. Lance McCullers Jr. takes the mound for Game 3, followed by Cristian Javier in Game 4 and the World Series-winless Justin Verlander in Game 5.