Welcome to the World Series, the 118th on record in baseball’s long history. Each year we reexamine what this all means. Five years ago, the AstrosTaken the DodgersThe seven-game win margin was a victory that many considered to be a tainted title. Their third World Series appearance will be this year. The sound of trash can banging has faded. This Astros team may be a little better on the field than it is off.
Just five years ago, the PhilliesThe team won 66 of their games and was placed in the cellar at the National League East. They were 31 games behind the leader. Since then, they have been a middling group, hovering around.500 and feeling like they are treading water at the deep end. Their best-known attributes are their ability to fire managers and field inept bullpens. The resonance of those lean years has faded. These Phillies deserve their thanks.
So Game 1 is not just a new series, it’s also another new beginning. What the Astros and Phillies used to be is irrelevant now. Their story is now every pitch. Let the fun begin.
A championship is not the only pot. In our little pick-’em contest, the race has grown tight. Andy McCullough has surpassed Eno Sarris’ reign. Chad Jennings is close behind. C. Trent Rosecrans, Sahadev Sharma, and C. Trent Rosecrans may just be in the black. The heat is on.
| Writer | Pick |
|---|---|
|
Eno Sarris |
19-14 |
|
Andy McCullough |
19-14 |
|
Chad Jennings |
19-15 |
|
Sahadev Sharma |
17-17 |
|
C. Trent Rosecrans |
16-18 |
Pick up the pace with them if possible. Go ahead and brag if you hit, but eat your crow if you don’t. Let’s get to the picks…
Each day, MLB Playoffs, The Athletic’s MLBThe writers will immediately make their picks. Fans can easily find and follow our picks, as well as all series coverage. Our comprehensive coverage comes from our stable The AthleticBelow are the picks, writers.
World Series Game 1: Philadelphia Phillies (+140) at Houston Astros (-165) — 8:03 p.m. on Fox
Series odds: Phillies (+155), Astros (-190)
Game 1: Aaron Nola vs. Justin Verlander
Over/under: 6.5
| Writer | Pick |
|---|---|
|
Chad Jennings |
|
|
Andy McCullough |
|
|
C. Trent Rosecrans |
|
|
Eno Sarris |
|
|
Sahadev Sharma |
The Astros are clear favorites not only in Game 1, but throughout the series. They have a better record than 5-to-8 odds of winning. But that’s tight, considering. The Phillies don’t seem like long-shots. Rich Strike, at 80-1, won the Kentucky Derby. You can do anything.
However, our panel prefers the Astros. Our complete baseball staffAnd a Panel of players, Scouts, and CoachesFor a reason.
First of all, Justin Verlander should win his third Cy Young Award next week. Verlander will pitch at the Astros at least twice during this series. At 39, he’s a hoss and even a third start, if need be, could be in play. “The guy’s, what, 82 years old?” one An anonymous opponent player said with a laugh, “and he’s throwing 100 mph?”
Verlander’s lengthy career includes 33 playoff games. He has a 3.55 ERA with a WHIP just under 1.00 and a record of 15-11. He is not bothered by the noise of the stage. This will be Verlander’s fifth World Series start – that’s more than most pitchers have thrown in the playoffs alone. Verlander dominated the last World Series start. YankeesWith 11 strikeouts (and a walk) over six breezy innings,
Aaron Nola (29-year-old pitcher) pitches for the Phillies in his fourth postseason game. He, too, threw a dominant season, among the NL’s best. But he’s coming off a rough go against the PadresIn his last start.
The true dogfight here will be the Astros’ arms vs. the Phillies sluggers. The rest of the story Bryce HarperThe Phils were the sixth-most prolific major league team in homers this season. They improved their performance in the playoffs, hitting a record of 66%. They scored 10 homers against the Padres in five games. They were able to do it even though the homers maximized their moments.
The Astros are able to suppress home runs like no other team. They allowed 0.83 home runs in nine innings this season, and they are even more efficient in the playoffs. They gave up five in seven playoff games at a 0.63 HR/9 rate. Houston’s pitching staff completely snuffed out the Yankees and the Yankees hit more homers than any team in the game this year, well more than the Phillies.
One, however, is another. well-timed ding-dongYou can make a World Series change for the better.
Additional MLB Postseason coverage
MLB Podcasts | Schedule and Scores
Schedule and odds of 2022 World Series
(Photo by Justin Verlander) / USA Today)
