October baseball will soon turn into November baseball as the World Series is finally set to start Friday in Houston when the Astros take on the Phillies.
These two teams, ironically, ended the regular season opposing each other, with the Astros taking two out of three in the series. Less than a month later, they will face each other again, with the championship trophy in sight. Let’s break down each team.
Houston Astros
The Astros, once again, find themselves searching for another ring one year after losing the World Series in five games to the Atlanta Braves. So far this postseason, the Astros remain perfect, sweeping the Mariners in three games before erasing the Yankees’ hope for a World Series berth in four games. In those seven games, Yuli Gurriel leads the ‘Stros with a .367 BA and 11 hits. Alex Bregman has contributed with a.375 OBP and .333 BA, while Jeremy Pena has collected three home runs.
Frambor Valdez and Lance McCullers Jr. have combined for 28 strikeouts in 23.2 innings, and only five earned runs on the pitching end. However, veteran leader Justin Verlander has struggled thus far this postseason with a 6.30 ERA through two starts, allowing 13 hits in 10 innings. Still, the bullpen has bolstered the pitching, particularly Ryan Pressly, who is tied with Padres closer Josh Hader with four saves during the playoffs. Pressly has yet to allow an earned run and carries an impressive 0.75 WHIP through 5.1 IP.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have blasted their way through the postseason thanks to the offensive force of Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins. Both players lead the league with 11 RBIs during the playoffs and are tied for first with six home runs. Harper has been incredibly explosive, gathering 18 hits – good enough for an eye-popping .419 BA and .444 OBP.
Philadelphia’s pitching is led by former Mets starter Zach Wheeler, who has churned in four quality starts this postseason. He also leads all playoff pitchers with 25 strikeouts. Longtime Phillie Aaron Nola has also contributed with two quality starts and a 3.12 ERA.
The Matchup
In the past, I have tended to side with the team who rosters the best pitching. However, I will go against my theory this year and take the Phillies to win the championship. Harper is playing on a tear, and combined with Hoskins and Kyle Schwarber; their bats should overpower the Astros’ pitching. The Phillies also benefit from nearly a whole week’s rest, whereas the Yankees were forced to travel to Houston to play the ALCS the day after defeating the Guardians in Game 5.
If the Astros have any shot of matching up to the Phillies on offense, they will need Jose Altuve to start hitting. The pesky second baseman is batting only .094 – below the Mendoza line – through seven games this postseason. They also need power hitter Yordan Alvarez to match Harper’s postseason production. After an explosive regular season, Alvarez has yet to break down during the playoffs with a .241 BA and two home runs.
While I don’t believe this series will go the total distance, I think the Phillies will hoist the trophy at home in six games—sorry, Astros fans. Houston will lose to an NL East team for the second consecutive year.
Pick: Phillies in 6
