The 2022 Phillies' Begin Writing the Final Chapter Tonight

Four weeks ago, the Philadelphia Phillies were just hanging on to their 2022 playoff hopes by a thread. One month later, they are four wins away from becoming World Series Champions. 

The Phillies will be taking on the Houston Astros in the big dance; the Astros will have home field advantage throughout the series. Playing away has not affected the Phillies thus far this post-season, though, as they have traveled to start every series that they have been in. However, the Houston Astros are a different type of monster compared to the Phillies' October opponents.

The Astros were the only team in the American League to eclipse 100 regular season victories. They have continued their dominance in the post-season by sweeping the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS and the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Between the pitching staff and the offensive power, the Astros are just as good as a professional baseball team can get.

While the Astros are a juggernaut, every team always has a weakness; in recent years, the Astros' weakness has been National League East underdogs. In 2019, the 93-69 Washington Nationals upset the 107-55 Astros in seven games. Two years later in 2021, the 88-73 Atlanta Braves bested a 95-67 Astros team in six games. History tends to repeat itself, and the 87-75 Phillies this year have an opportunity to etch their names into the history books against the 106-56 Astros. This series features a 19-game disparity between the two opponents, the largest since 1906.

Despite the mismatch, the Phillies are confident in their ability to win any series. Following the NLCS Game 5 victory against the San Diego Padres, first-baseman Rhys Hoskins told reporters, "There is never a doubt in the dugout. That's just the type of players that we have. That's the type of belief that we have in each other."

The Phillies' confidence has worked to their advantage thus far, as they have won as underdogs in every series in the 2022 post-season. Who is to say that they cannot do it once more? Based on the reactions from fans in and around Philadelphia, the Phillies are fueled with energy and confidence that may very well have a major impact in propelling them a world championship.