NEWSLETTER
We have our 2022 MLB World Series match-up. Each of the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies won their League Championship Series with a quickness, and which means they will face each other in the World Series starting later this week. The Fall Classic opens Friday in Houston, and each team’s Championship gear is now available at Fanatics.
Philadelphia Phillies 4, San Diego Padres 3 – PHI Wins NLCS 4-1
Although the Phillies took this series 4-1, it was generally competitive throughout. It’s just that, like yesterday’s win, the Phillies kept putting themselves on top in the end.
In the clincher, it was Bryce Harper’s two-run homer in the 8th inning that gave the Phillies the lead:
Harper, who had a great series, was named the NLCS MVP after the game, and will be making the first trip of his career to the World Series.
The celebration on the field and in the clubhouse:
It’s been an incredible run for the Phillies, who’d obviously spent aggressively to construct a World Series contender over the last several years, but hadn’t been able to make it work. This season was looking like it was going to go the same way until an in-season managerial switch from Joe Girardi to Rob Thomson seemed to ignite the Phillies (who won at a 95-win pace from that moment on). They were just 22-29 at the time of the switch.
Among other things, the Phillies are really flouting the idea that you can’t win without defense in October. They are hitting a ton of homers, they are pitching really well, and they are getting star performances from their star players. And they were the final-spot Wild Card team, in the new format, now making it to the World Series. I love it.
As for the Padres, it’s a bit of a bummer to see another aggressive team go down, but at least they made it this far? The big talk is probably going to be about how Josh Hader didn’t pitch in the game, and how Trent Grisham bunted with two on and one out in the 9th (it was apparently an attempt at a bunt hit that turned into a sac bunt). It’s going to be an uncomfortable start to the offseason after a great run.
Full NLCS Game Five highlights:
Houston Astros 6, New York Yankees 5 – HOU Wins ALCS 4-0
It’s a sweep for the Astros, who were simply the superior (and much more well-rested) team in this series.
The game was a back-and-forth one, with the Yankees trying desperately to extend the series just one more game, but run-scoring singles by Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman in the 7th inning put the Astros on top for good.
It’s the Astros’ second straight AL pennant, and fourth in six years. I bet that’s neat.
Dusty Baker gets another chance:
And with that, the match-up is set.
Full ALCS Game Four highlights:
