The red hot Philadelphia Phillies look to keep it going against the Houston Astros in the World Series. The Astros by the way haven’t lost yet in the post season this year. They are a perfect 7-0.
2022 World Series Preview:
The Phillies will head to Houston to face the Astros in Game 1 of the 2022 World Series. There was only other time the Astros and Phillies faced each other in a postseason series. That was in the 1980 NLCS, which the Phillies won 3-2. The final 4 games in that series went to extra innings, the most extra inning games in a single series in MLB history.
The Phillies are the 6th team in the Wild Card Era (since 1995) to reach the World Series in the same season in which they snapped a 10-year playoff drought. Of the previous 5, only the 2002 Angels went on to win the WS.
The NLCS may have lasted just 5 games, but the Phillies still hit 10 home runs in the series, tied for their 2nd most in a single postseason series in their history. Rhys Hoskins (4), Kyle Schwarber (3) and Bryce Harper (2) combined for 9 of those HR.
Changing Of The Guard
The Phillies were 21-29 in their first 50 games this season, tied with the 2003 Marlins for the 4th worst 50 decision start to a season by teams to make the postseason. 3 of the 4 other teams on this list won the World Series.
The Phillies fired Joe Girardi on June 3 after a 22-29 start and replaced him with Rob Thomson. Then the team finished the season 65-46, good for the 4th best record in the NL since June 3. The Phillies are the first team since the 2003 Marlins to reach the World Series after making a managerial change during the season.
Phillies Nuggets
Bryce Harper has taken it to another level this season. He’s hitting .419 with a 1.351 OPS so far this postseason, significantly better than his 19 postseason games with the Nationals.
Rhys Hoskins has found his groove. After a disappointing start to the 2022 postseason, Hoskins broke out in the NLCS. Hit hit 4 homers and had 7 RBI along with an OPS of 1.189. He also has a very generous wife!
Zack Wheeler has taken it to another level this postseason. He’s posted a 1.78 ERA with a 0.51 WHIP in 25 1/3 IP. His 0.51 WHIP is on pace to be the best WHIP in a single postseason in MLB history (min. 25 IP)
Red Hot Philadelphia Phillies Are A Hot Ticket
According to Vivid Seats, the average ticket price for the Phillies first game at home in Game 3 on Oct. 31 is $1,626, more than double the Houston Astros first home game of the 2022 World Series on Oct. 28 which is $726.
Game 4 in Philadelphia is trending to be the hottest World Series ticket since 2017. Excluding non-necessary (I.e., Games 5-7) games, it is the third hottest World Series ticket on record, behind the first two home games at Wrigley Field in 2016. “Get-In” price for Game 4 is $1,149, while tickets behind home plate are up to $7,104.
Houston Astros Nuggets
Houston has still yet to suffer a loss this postseason, improving to 7-0 with sweeps of the Mariners and Yankees. They’re the 5th team in postseason history to win each of their first 7 games. This was only possible since 1969 when the LCS was added prior to the 1969 season. This is the Astro’s 5th World Series appearance. They last won it in 2017.
The Astros bullpen has been freaking unbelievable! They’ve posted an 0.82 ERA so far this postseason, 4th best by any team prior to a World Series in the Wild Card Era since 1995.
Dusty Baker
In May, Dusty Baker became the first black manager, and 12th manager overall, to win 2,000 games. Baker currently ranks 9th with 2,093 regular season wins. He’s also the only manager in the 2,000 win club without a World Series title.
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander led the majors with a 1.75 ERA, the best by any pitcher in his age-39 season in MLB history. He struggled in his first start in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Mariners, but he settled down for game 1 of the ALCS. Add it up, and Verlander has a 6.30 ERA so far this postseason. The other 3 Astros starting pitchers – Lance McCullers, Framber Valdez, and Cristian Javier have combined for a 1.55 ERA.
Jose Altuve
Altuve began the postseason without a hit in his first 25 AB, the longest hitless streak to begin a postseason in MLB history. He’s got just 3 hits in 32 AB this postseason (.094). Altuve’s 23 HR are 2nd most in postseason history, 6 behind Manny Ramírez’s record.
Pete’s Pick
Astros in 6. Really rooting hard for Houston skipper Dusty Baker to get his first World Series title as a manager. He has won as a player. The red hot Philadelphia Phillies will put up a strong fight but the Astros overall are the best team in MLB. Enjoy the World Series which begins this Friday night in Houston.
