The World Series is finally upon us.
For the fourth time in the last six years, the Houston Astros will be representing the American League in the Fall Classic.
And for the first time since 2009, the World Series will feature the Philadelphia Phillies representing the National League.
The Phillies and the Astros last met in the first week of October, which just so happened to be when the final three games of the 2022 regular season were being played.
The Phillies won one of the three games to clinch their postseason berth.
Astros writer Brian McTaggart notes that the Phillies are the only team to have beaten them this month, regular season and postseason included.
The Astros are 11-1 in October (regular season and postseason). The only team to beat them in that span? The Phillies, who won 3-0 on Oct. 3 in Houston.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 24, 2022
Potential Phillies Advantage?
Could it play into the Phillies’ favor?
Maybe.
They clinched their postseason berth on the Astros’ home turf.
At the same time, this was during the regular season.
The Phillies won that game against the Astros by a final of 3-0, and it was after the Astros had already locked up home-field advantage through at least the ALCS.
And after the Phillies clinched, they began to rest some of their regulars.
But still, the Phillies were the only team to beat the Astros during that timeframe.
So naturally, it could ignite some hope from their side.
Either way, this series is going to be an exciting one.
The Astros are clearly the heavy favorites, but the underdog Phillies have taken out three of the National League’s best teams, and certainly are not to be underestimated.
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