Ladies and gentlemen, the 2022 World Series has finally arrived. And my goodness, what a series we have in store. The Houston Astros have been blowing teams out of the water, winning the American League without losing A SINGLE GAME in the playoffs, while the Philadelphia Phillies have defied the odds to reach the big one. Game 1 gets started on Friday, and to celebrate the start of the World Series, we’ve asked 4 of Pickswise’s best MLB experts for their series predictions. That’s 4 best bets, all in one place!
Let’s dive in and find out whether our experts are siding with the Phillies or the Astros.
Keith Schmelter: Astros in 5 (+500)
It was a short divisional and conference series for the Astros. They made quick work of the Mariners and then swept the mighty Yankees to earn their 3rd American League pennant in the last 6 years. Their starting rotation of Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers Jr. seems, well, unbeatable. They have a 2.77 ERA in the postseason through 7 games and are paired with a relief group that has a stunning 0.82 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. While the Houston starting rotation has limited the Mariners and Yankees to a .216 batting average, their bullpen has a .127 batting average against. Their pitching was fantastic in the regular season and, to no surprise, has carried over into the postseason.
I do believe that the Phillies can hand the Astros their first loss of the postseason. Seattle nearly beat the Astros twice in the ALDS, and the Yankees came close in Game 4 of the ALCS, so the Astros are capable of losing. If the Phillies are able to steal a game from Houston, it will likely be in Game 2 against Valdez, since the Phillies are excellent against left-handed pitching. Or, it could come in Game 4 in Philadelphia against McCullers Jr., who looked hittable against the Yankees. The bottom line is the Astros are the better team in all aspects of the game and will win their second World Series in the last 6 years.