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MLB Analysis: How the Phillies Reached the World Series

Underdog Philadelphia Looks to Defy Odds Once Again

When the Philadelphia Phillies made the decision to move on from manager Joe Girardi after a 22-29 start, there was no talk about a potential run to the World Series.

With Rob Thomson taking over, the Phillies promptly won the next eight games with Thomson at the helm. Philadelphia was the last team to clinch a spot in the playoffs, eliminating St. Louis, defending World Series champion Atlanta and then San Diego.

Sean Segura #2, Bryson Stott #5 and Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies
Sean Segura #2, Bryson Stott #5 and Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies | Tim nwachukwu/getty images/afp

After missing the playoffs 10 years in a row, the Phillies decided to stick around for a while and now are in the World Series for the first time since 2009.

When it comes to those who bet online, the Phillies are priced at +155 to win the World Series.

Let’s take a look at how the Phillies won the National League title for the first time in more than a decade.

Let’s check the latest MLB picks, stats, injury reports, and MLB predictions. We’ve plenty of MLB expert picks for you to consider.

As well explore a variety of other MLB odds here to win!

Dialing Long Distance

Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins and Kyle Schwarber took different paths to become postseason stars for the Phillies. However, their ability to hit the ball out of any park in the major leagues is just one thing they have in common.

Hoskins and Harper each have five home runs in the postseason. Harper’s blast in the series clincher against San Diego is one of the signature moments of the 2022 season.

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 24, 2022

When it comes to tape-measure home runs, it is hard to match up with some of the balls hit by Schwarber. Schwarber won a World Series in 2016 with the Chicago Cubs and now he is looking for another. Philadelphia only hit two home runs in three regular-season games against Houston and Schwarber had two of them.

Wheeler Leads Pitching Staff

Do you think the division rival New York Mets wish they found a way to keep Zack Wheeler around?

Wheeler won 44 games for the Mets from 2013-2019 before signing with the Phillies. Wheeler has a 30-19 regular-season record in his three seasons with Philadelphia. He has put up solid if somewhat unspectacular numbers in Philadelphia.

When the playoffs started, Wheeler took things to a different level. He has a 1.78 ERA with 25 strikeouts and three walks in his four starts. The Phillies are 3-1 in the games started by Wheeler in the postseason. In two games against the Padres, he allowed four hits and two runs in 13 innings.

Right-hander Aaron Nola, a former first-round pick by the Phillies, has had moments of brilliance in the playoffs and has been a pleasant surprise.

Ranger Suarez and Noah Syndergaard, another former Met, are also available to start. Now here are the Phillies, four wins away from an improbable title.

Homegrown Talent Coming Through

Nola is not the only former first-round pick of the Phillies to play a starring role.

Third baseman Alec Bohm was the third overall selection by Philadelphia in 2018 and shortstop Bryson Stott went 14th overall in 2019.

Neither Bohm nor Stott have gaudy postseason numbers, but both have come up with timely hits in support of Harper, Schwarber, Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto.

It wasn’t too long ago that Bohm and Stott had their names mentioned in trade rumors. Philadelphia stayed with their young infielders and it is paying off.

The 29-year-old Hoskins is another player drafted by Philadelphia. Hoskins was a steal as a fifth-round pick in 2014. He has hit more than 25 home runs four times since debuting with the Phillies in 2017.

Philadelphia is 89-84 against the MLB betting odds with more success on the road (46-41 against the spread) than at home. The Phillies will open on the road for the third series in a row. Against both the Braves and Padres, Philadelphia earned a split of the first two games and that put them in the position of being able to win the series at home.

The Phillies are 63-43 when listed by the sportsbook as the favorite.

Philadelphia, 9-2 in the postseason, has scored at least six runs in five of those victories.

The Phillies are only 44-43 on the road while Houston is 59-26 at home so advantage to the Astros for the early games in the series.

Phillies Outlook

Harper is hitting .419 in the postseason and about the only thing missing in the career of the former National League MVP is a World Series title. He has fought through injuries to become a centerpiece in the underdog Phillies’ run to the World Series.

The last thing the Astros want to see is Harper coming to the plate late in games with a chance to give Philadelphia the lead. Per the MLB betting lines, Harper (+700) is second in the odds to win the World Series MVP award.

Four different Philadelphia pitchers have saves in the postseason so it is worth watching how the bullpen is utilized.

Seranthony Dominguez has struck out 15 of the 26 batters that he has faced in the playoffs. Andrew Bellatti is another bullpen arm to keep an eye on. Reliever Jose Alvarado could be asked to pitch in the lefty-on-lefty matchups late in games.

The Phillies have 39 extra-base hits in 11 postseason games and that will be key in this series. Philadelphia has the third-best team batting average in the majors since the MLB All-Star Game

About the World Series

With both the AL and NL Championship Series ending early, there is plenty of time for the pitching staffs to rest.

The World Series begins with Games 1 and 2 in Houston on Friday and Saturday. Games 3, 4 and 5 will be played in Philadelphia. If necessary, the teams return to Minute Maid Park for Games 6 and 7.

According to the MLB playoff odds, the best odds in the World Series are with the Astros winning in seven games. That is priced at +375.

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