by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
The 2022 World Series pits an established powerhouse from the last decade against an up-and-coming team led by one of baseball’s biggest superstars.
The Houston Astros are back in the Fall Classic for the fourth time since 2017. The Philadelphia Phillies will be playing in their first World Series since 2009.
Houston is 1-2 in its last three trips to the World Series, with both losses coming at the hands of teams from the NL East. The Washington Nationals beat them in 2019 and the Atlanta Braves beat them in 2021.
Both sides have looked dominant throughout their respective postseason runs, which can make it difficult for neutral parties to select a champion.
Houston is 7-0 through two rounds after sweeping the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, while Philadelphia is 7-2 thanks to a 3-1 win over Atlanta in the NLDS and a win 4-1 in the NLCS over the San Diego Padres. .
The two baseball clubs secured their respective league pennants on Sunday, so they’ll get the same amount of rest before Friday’s Game 1 in Houston.
World Series Schedule
Game 1: Friday, October 28 (Fox)
Game 2: Saturday, October 29 (Fox)
Game 3: Monday, October 31 (Fox)
Game 4: Tuesday, November 1 (Fox)
Game 5: Wednesday, November 2 (Fox)*
Game 6: Friday, November 4 (Fox)*
Game 7: Saturday, November 5 (Fox)*
*-if necessary. All game times to be determined.
The Astros showed during their march through the AL bracket that they are as strong as ever entering the World Series.
Houston has the best pitching depth in Major League Baseball. He has four starters lined up for the World Series, starting with Justin Verlander. Framber Valdez, Lance McCullers Jr. and Cristian Javier should follow them in some order through the first four games of the World Series.
Houston also has Jose Urquidy and Luis Garcia, regular-season starters, to enter any contention as long relievers.
Philly is at the top of their rotation with Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. The pair of aces should be a great counter for Verlander and Valdez in Games 1 and 2.
The Phillies need outfielder Suarez in Game 3 and one of Bailey Falter and Noah Syndergaard in Game 4 to match Houston’s production for the best chance of winning at home.
The NL champion thrived in that specific situation in the NL Championship Series, as Suarez put in a solid performance in Game 3 and mid-level bullpen arms put together solid outings to allow for a Game 3 comeback. Four.
Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and the Philadelphia lineup scored 18 runs in NLCS Games 3-5 to clinch a World Series berth at home. The Phillies’ lineup now has to deal with a tougher, deeper pitching staff against Houston.
The Astros limited the New York Yankees lineup to nine runs in four games. They limited the Yankees to four runs in the first three contests of the American League Championship Series. Philadelphia’s pitching staff allowed nine runs in the last two games of the NL Championship Series alone.
The margin for error for the Phillies could be small if the Astros find a way to maintain last-round pitching dominance, but if they can find a way to get runs out of Houston, the series could tip in their favor.
Houston has its own power bats in Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman that could offset big hits from Harper, Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins. Don’t underestimate how important Jose Altuve’s two hits can be on Sunday. Altuve was on a losing streak and could use that performance to turn the postseason around for him.
The Astros scored 13 runs in two regular-season wins over the Phillies, but that series to end the regular season can’t be included in a discussion of how the matchup will play out. Philadelphia won the first game of the series to clinch a playoff spot, and Houston took advantage of the hangover that followed.
Although this is a No. 1 seed facing a No. 6 seed in the World Series, it has the potential to become one of the best World Series matchups in a long time because of how many stars are performing. at high levels in each. side.
