World Series Prediction: The ‘Stros Back On Top

It has come down to this: Astros Vs. Phillies. For the first time in the World Series these two teams are facing off — and first time in the playoffs since 1980. With some time left before Game 1, I highly suggest you watch some highlights of that series. The Hall of Famers that took place in that series: Nolan Ryan, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose**, Steve Carlton, and Mike Schmidt. 

While on the American League side, most expected the Astros to be back in the Fall Classic. They were the heavy favorites ever since the Braves won it a year ago. Now the Phillies? Exact opposite. 

They have been defying all of the odds — they were +3500 at the start of the season, and you could have bet them +3000 at the beginning of the Wild Card round. The Fightin’ Phils are the ultimate underdog. 

Keys to an Astros World Series win: 

• Jose Altuve. He was a non-factor offensively during both the ALDS and ALCS but started to come around in Game 4 against the Yankees. Historically, he does not just perform in the World Series, he over-delivers. While he has struggled this postseason — 3 for 32 — he is still a force to be reckoned with. The fact the Astros still have not lost a single game this playoff run yet, but not even hitting above .100 is frightening if I’m the team from Philadelphia.

• The Bullpen: The dominance from the regular season has carried over to the postseason. No matter who Dusty Baker seems to call on when one of his elite starters is done, the relievers don’t just find outs, they embarrass hitters in the process. With not a single lefty in the bullpen, the Astros continue to prove that you don’t need ‘outsmart’ opponents, you need outs — and that’s exactly what they do. 

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• Dusty Freakin’ Baker: In one of my first articles on this site I wrote about the illustrious career of this unique baseball mind. Baker himself has earned himself a spot in the Hall of Fame whether he wins a ring or not. His resume speaks volumes – he was the first manager in major league history to lead five different teams to division titles, the ninth manager to win both an AL pennant and an NL pennant, and the first African American manager with 2,000 wins. Additionally, he has played or managed in 2.5 percent of all games in history, and he is one of just two ever with at least 1,900 hits as a player and 1,900 wins as a manager – the other being Hall of Famer Joe Torre (via theaceofspaeder/Twitter). If anyone on this list yearns to finally get a World Series championship, it is certainly Dusty Baker.

Keys to a Phillies World Series win:

Bryce Harper: He was HIM in the NLCS. In the words of the owner of the team that paid him $330 million over 13 years — maybe he should’ve paid him more. This will be Harper’s first World Series appearance, but he hasn’t been afraid of the spotlight at all so far this October. Harper not only brings the presence to the lineup — it’s the mojo. The Philly mindset is embodied starting from the face of the franchise. 

Rotation: While the Astros also have one of the best rotations in baseball — the Phillies are not too far away. Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are a legitimate 1-2 punch and have this mindset of being afraid of nothing this postseason.

Over 25.1 innings this postseason, Wheeler owns a 1.78 ERA and a 25:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Wheeler has a 1.38 ERA over his past seven starts, dating back to the regular season. Also, don’t you dare forget about Thor himself — Noah Syndergaard. 

Philly Rob: A baseball lifer. Rob Thomson has been coaching in pro ball since 1988. Since he has been the manager in Philly, he has gone 65-44 (.596), and the team now has the sixth-best record in baseball. In hindsight, what the Phillies did save their season, and led to a playoff berth for the first time since 2011 — first World Series since 2009. This is someone who the players want to win for—a special person. 

So, my final prediction? The Astros are in 6. While Philly has yet to lose a game at Citizens Bank Park, the Astros have dominated all postseason without their best hitters performing — Alvarez and Altuve. Overall, this team wants to get Dusty Baker his first World Series championship — and their first championship without any ounce of controversy.