The 2022 MLB season has included some great moments. From Albert Pujols becoming just the 5th player ever to break the 700 home run mark, to Aaron Judge breaking the record for non-steroid-aided home runs in a single season, the 2022 season has been very exciting. Some of the other best moments were Miguel Cabrera’s 3,000th hit, Pujols becoming 2nd all-time in RBIs, and the exciting Home Run Derby during All-Star Week. The playoff format changed this year to include an additional team in the Wild Card round from both the AL and NL.

The World Series Match-Up

After making their 4th World Series in the last 6 years, the Astros are trying to end their recent tendency to choke in the later rounds of the playoffs. They boast a very well-balanced roster with young talent like Yordan Alvarez and rookie Jeremy Pena. Also having the seasoned veterans Justin Verlander and Jose Altuve. Overall, the team has very few weaknesses and won every game of the 2022 playoffs going into the World Series. In the ALDS they swept the Mariners 3-0 and in the ALCS swept the Yankees 4-0. This team typically gets very hot in October and they are following that trend into this series.

Being the last team in and just edging out the final NL Wild Card spot in the last few regular season games, the Phillies took full advantage of the playoff expansion. This team has looked great so far in the playoffs, shutting down the Cardinals, Braves, and Padres, who were all very hot teams headed into the playoffs. The major concern for this team was pitching. Besides starters Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola, there were questions around the rest of the pitching staff, but they performed well enough to give the dynamic Phillies’ offense a chance. Young players like Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott have stepped up in the playoffs. Reliable veterans such as Rhys Hoskins, Kyle Schwarber, and their best player, Bryce Harper have willed the Phillies to their first World Series appearance since 2009.

When asked about their thoughts on the upcoming series, Vishwa Veeraswamy(12) and Alec Early(12) had some very strong opinions to share. Veeraswamy wanted Astros fans (if there are any) to know that they, “have a terrible team”. Alec Early (not Bohm) strongly belives that the series will end with the,

This series has gotten so intense that as the Astros tried to order team catering from restaurants in Philadelphia, they were refused service simply because the were the Astros. Phillies fans are some of the most dedicated out there and have a lot of America on their side as they attempt to bring down the Astros.

Games 1 & 2

The 2022 World Series began in Houston, with the Astros having home field advantage for the series, letting them play in front of their home crowd. Game 1 was very exciting, moving into extra innings after being tied 5-5 after the first 9. The Astros got out to a hot start at home jumping out to an early lead. The Phillies responded quickly with 5 runs of their own. With the Astros threatening to score in the bottom of the 9th inning, Phillies outfielder, Nick Castellanos made a fantastic catch to extened the game. As the first batter in the top of the 10th, J.T. Realmuto smacked a solo home run to send the Phillies up 6-5. They were able to hold onto the lead after a controversial call against Jose Altuve for leaning into a pitch and the Phillies took Game 1.

The Astros quickly struck back in Game 2. They shot out to an early lead and the Phillies were not able to string together an offensive rally. The game ended 5-2 Astros. Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman were key to this win. Altuve notched 3 hits in 4 at-bats and Bregman had a 2-run home run in the 5th inning to extend the lead to 5-0.

Games 3 & 4

In Game 3 the Phillies came back to Citizens Bank Park and quickly got back in stride after the Game 2 loss. They became the first team ever to have 3 home runs in the first 2 innings of a World Series game. After a total of 5 home runs the Phillies took the game 7-0. The Astros had 5 hits but were unable to string them together to produce any runs.

After it appeared that the Phillies had the momentum in the series and could have closed it out at home, the Astros struck right back. A combined no-hitter (the first ever in postseason history) by the Astros pitching staff led to the Phillies being shut out. The Astros had a total of 10 hits and took full advantage of loading the bases in the 5th inning, cashing in with 5 runs. The final score of the game was 5-0.

Game 5

After the Astros dismantled the Phillies in Game 4, this was another story. The Astros took an early lead and grew it to 3-1, typical for them in this series. In the bottom of the 8th inning the Phillies had a great chance with 2 runners on base but were only able to cash in on 1 run. Justin Verlander, the ace for the Astros put out a phenomenal performance on the mound. Rookie Jeremy Pena is showing veteran ability again in the playoffs after a 3 hit performance in this game.

Game 6

Back in Houston, the Astros were able to close out the series after another dominate pitching performance. Kyle Schwarber started off the offense for the Phillies with a home run. That was it for the offensive attack of the Fightin’ Phils. The Astros were able to put together a rally to score 4 runs in the bottom of the 6th. Jeremy Pena played yet another great game along with Yordan Alvarez with a monster 450ft home run to center field.

Series Wrap Up

The Astros looked to be dominate for almost the entire series. The World Series MVP was Jeremy Pena, who had 2 hits or more in 5 of the 6 games in the series. This Astros team is certainly not going anywhere and will be a contender for the next few years. As for the Phillies, the young core will definitely stick around, but their veteran leadership may be retiring in the next few seasons. This World Series was very close at the beginning, but as the Astros pulled away it was evident they would take home the series.