Series Showdown

The time has finally arrived. The 118th World Series is here and set to begin. We started this journey back in April with 32 teams looking for a shot at the Comissioners Trophy. Now here we sit with the last two standing. The Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia got here as a wild card team, winning 87 regular season games. They then disposed of the St Louis Cardinals in a sweep in the Wild Card round, then dispatched the Atlanta Braves in four games in the NLDS, and finally dispatched the San Diego Padres in the NLCS in five games.

Houston got here by winning the AL West with 107 wins. They had the wild card round off, starting the playoffs with a sweep of the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS. They then followed it up with a sweep of the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

The dates and times for this series are as follows:
1. October 28 Minute Maid Park 8:03 pm
2 October 29 Minute Maid Park 8:03 pm
3 October 31 Citizens Bank Park 8:03 pm
4 November 1 Citizens Bank Park 8:03pm
5 November 2 Citizens Bank Park 8:03 pm
6 November 4 Minute Maid Park 8:03 pm
7 November 5 Minute Maid Park 8:03 pm

Houston is looking to do something that nobody in the wild card era has ever done, sweep its way through the playoffs. Two teams have come close in the 99 Yankees and 05 White Sox, who both went 11-1 in the World Series years. Houston has a real shot at it. What would worry me is Justin Verlander, who's career record is 1-6 in World Series games. For whatever reason, Verlander can't seem to find the right mojo in fall classic games. But one advantage Houston does have is that the bullpen has the best ERAS in the entire playoffs. Houston can hit too, there's no denying that they got pop. Look at the monster home runs Yordan Alverez has hit this season.

But right now, Philadelphia has the hotter offense. Harper is hotter than a wild fire at the plate, and Schwarber has been heating up too. Plus it also helps that the Phillies are 5-0 at home this fall. And the Phillies have had to fight harder to get to the series than the Astros. nothing against Houston and winning 107 games, but the Phillies have had more of an uphill climb.

At the end of the day, as good as the Phillies are, the Astros are just that much better of a team. They are more balanced and well put together team

Pick: Astros in 5