With the World Series underway, the Cinderella story of the Philadelphia Phillies faces off against the favorite Houston Astros in a seven-game series to fight for the World Series title. The six-seeded Phillies are the first wild-card team since 2014 to make the World Series and have had to play against three teams to make it, while the Astros only have had to play two. The Phillies, before the postseason, had the second-to-worst odds to make the World Series at +2800, but Philly has defied all odds and managed to take themselves into the World Series. However, this will be the end for the Phillies after a miraculous run, as the Astros will send Philly back home, and Houston will win their second ring in the past decade.

The Houston Astros have been no less than dominant during the entire 2022 season. Coming in with the best record in the American League, the Astros earned themselves a first-round bye in the postseason and a trip to the ALDS. The Astros come into the World Series undefeated in the playoffs, sweeping the Mariners and the Yankees to advance. They could potentially be the first team in MLB history to go undefeated throughout the playoffs and to win the World Series.

What makes the Astros so good is how well-balanced they are across the team. Their batting lineup from 1-to-9 can all do damage, having the third-best average as a team in the postseason. Led by a breakout star in 2022, Yordan Alvarez, he destroyed opposing pitchers with this year’s batting .307 average with 37 home runs. Rookie of the Year candidate Jeremy Pena has also been remarkable for the team at the plate, winning the NLCS most valuable player for his tremendous hitting, batting .303 in the playoffs. They have an elite pitching staff who makes the team have the best record in the American League. Led by Cy Young candidate Justin Verlander with a jaw-dropping 1.75 ERA in the regular season, the Astros have 5 starters that they can rely on to give them an outstanding game as they have a 2.2 team ERA in the playoffs.

The Astros depth will overpower the star-studded Phillies, led by star outfielders Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. The Phillies have been carried by NLCS’ most valuable player Bryce Harper and their best hitters during the playoffs, which won’t be sustainable against Houston’s great pitching and elite depth. The Phillies’ star power isn’t enough to maintain the Astros’ entire roster, and the Astros will come out and win the World Series in 6 games.

Game one starts tonight at 8:03 p.m. on Fox.