The Bryce is Right

10/24/2022 The Bryce is Right

By: Jeff Yoder

NLCS: Bryce Harper’s 8th-Inning Home Run Sends Phillies to First World Series Since 2009

The Phillies are back in the Fall Classic! After a rollercoaster season, the National League’s 6-seed rolled through the playoffs and buried the Padres in the NLCS (4-1). Sunday’s Game 5 saw the Padres take a 3-2 lead in the 7th inning in what looked like a swing game that could turn the series. Instead, with one on in the 8th inning, Bryce Harper hit a home run that sent Philly into a frenzy and flipped the scoreboard. The Philly bullpen closed it out after another spectacular outing from Zack Wheeler (6 IP, 8 Ks, 3 Hits, 2 Runs). And at long last, the  Phillies are heading back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.

 

The Harper Homer: Harper’s 8th-inning blast was undoubtedly the biggest home run in the 30-year-old’s career. He has 5 HRs and 11 extra-base hits (franchise record) this October. He also took home the NLCS MVP award after hitting .400 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs in the series.

 

Phillies on Fire: Philadelphia won just 87 games en route to the 6-seed in the National League, but they’re 9-2 in the playoffs. Next up? A date with the AL’s top seed.

 

Watch: Phillies Beat Padres to Close Out NLCS in Game 5 (4-3)

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ALCS: Astros Complete Sweep of Yankees to Reach 4th World Series in 6 Years

 

They’re still perfect in Houston! The Astros won yet another one-run contest in Game 4 Sunday night in the Bronx with a 7th-inning comeback. The Yankees took a 5-4 lead on Harrison Bader’s solo shot in the 6th inning, but the ‘Stros fired back with two runs in the 7th off the bats of Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, and Yordan Alvarez. Pena finished the day 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and the ALCS MVP honors. Down to their final out, the Yankees’ season fittingly came to an end with Aaron Judge at the plate, but a ground-out sealed the deal. The Astros are heading to their fourth World Series in six years.

 

Houston, We Have Perfection: While it was the Dodgers who entered the playoffs with 111 wins and the top overall seed, the Astros were the hottest team in baseball over the final third of the season. They’re a perfect 7-0 in the postseason with six of those games decided by two runs or less (four games decided by just one run).

 

Watch: Astros Sweep Yankees With Game 4 Victory (5-4)

 

The Fall Classic is set. It’s Astros vs. Phillies for the 2022 title of World Champions.

 

World Series Schedule

Gm 1: Phillies at Astros (Friday, TBD)

Gm 2: Phillies at Astros (Saturday, TBD)

 

Additional Storylines

SI: Harper’s Dramatic Home Run Launches Phillies Into World Series

B/R: Phillies’ Bryce Harper Has Lived Up to the Impossible Expectations

USA Today: Astros Sweep Yankees to Win 4th AL Pennant in 6 Years

 

Photo: Rob Tringali / Getty Images