Here we go, the World Series has finally arrived.
The top seeded playoff team from the AL vs the bottom seeded team from the NL. If it wasn't for the new playoff format and expansion this year, the Phillies wouldn't be in their first world series since 2009. This has the set up to be one of a Cinderella story. In fact, most fans you ask would probably say they are rooting for the Phils to go all the way. Much of that support is likely linked to the past cheating scandal with the Astros and direct hate for them, which is honestly completely fair. But there's also the fact that the Astros have now been in 4 out of the last 6 World Series, and people like rooting for variety, new teams, and of course always the underdog.
While the Phillies are definitely the longshot in this series, you can check the betting lines to see that, it may not be as much of a Cinderella story as you might think, because this team is built for moments like this. The Phillies have the 4th highest payroll in 2022 and are set up to be near the top in 2023, so they have many veteran players with a wealth of experience who are paid signficant amounts of money to perform at a high level, especially when it counts.
The baseball season is a damn grind, it's long, filled with injuries, slumps, losing streaks and even manager changes, it's a rollercoaster ride. The Phillies fought through all of that, especially in the first half of their season. But this team with veteran players endured, went on a run in the second half and sneaked into the playoffs. Now they are a healthy, cohesive, balanced unit of stars (Harper, Wheeler, Realmuto), veterans (Schwarber, Castellanos, Segura), top homegrown talent (Nola, Hoskins, Suarez), and mixture of role players both young and seasoned vets. And they are on their career defining quest, just ask Bryce Harper who is validating every bit of the talk of his stardom since he was a 15 year old on the cover of Sports Illustrated dubbed "baseball's chosen one". He's batting .419 with 5 home runs, 39 total bases, and a 1.351 OPS in 11 games this postseason. If he can continue this MVP run, the Phillies will be in a good spot to take down the top crop of the American League.
With the public jumping on the Philly train and this narrative of the underdog/Cinderella story brewing, the Astros have a lot of pressure and even more to prove in this one. While they have been the staple at the top of the league and fixture competing in the World Series, they still only have one to show for it. And that one was in 2017, the height of the Astros pitch stealing, and maybe more, cheating scandal. So basically throw that one out. Since they've been on an even playing field, they've come close, but haven't won.
Their current roster and team is mostly far removed from that infamous season. Only 5 players, albeit very important players, have carried over to this 2022 roster, Verlander, Altuve, Bregman, Gurriel, and McCullers Jr. So it's mostly a new look, including their manager, Dusty Baker, who has been at this a long long time and yet to break through the final barrier of a World Series title. In fact, Dusty has the most manager wins all-time for those without a ring. If there is one feel good story and person to be rooting for on the Astros side, it's him.
In the last 5 years since that lone World Series win with all but those 5 players moved on to (not really) greener pastures, the Astros haven't skipped a beat adding talented players to this roster year after year. The majority young direct from their farm system here to compete for years, like Air Yordan, Peña, Tucker, Valdez, and Javier. It's really a testament to their front office, a tainted one, but one that is incredible at identifying talent and does not skipped a beat when faced with any adversity.
We have quite the battle set up, with a lot on the line for both teams. One has been on this stage before, see just last year for the Astros, and the other some would call a surprise, but they wouldn't tell you that. So, who you got?
If that isn't enough suspense for you, our game 1 Props are below to add some additional fun. All have nearly even chances of happening, so anyone can play. Grab some friendly competition and see who can get the most correct!
2 Hits or more combined in the 1st Inning:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Team winning after the 5th inning:
[ ] Phillies
[ ] Astros
Verlander to pitch 6 full innings (18 outs) or more:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Altuve to score 1 Run or more:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Harper to have 2 or more Total Bases (from hits only):
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Phillies Total Runs to be:
[ ] Odd
[ ] Even
Astros Total Runs of 4 or more:
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
Tiebreaker: Guess the Total Runs scored by both teams combined, closest to the result wins! (Currently estimated to be around 7)
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Photo by Erik Drost. Link to license.
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