In addition to Valdez and Alvarez’s heroics, rookie Jeremy Peña had two hits and was on base for Alvarez’s homer. This marks the second World Series title for the Astros franchise. The other came in 2017, a season in which the Astros were later found to have illegally stolen license plates. Now for some takeaways from the clincher in Houston.
Yordan Alvarez dropped a bomb on Philly’s hopes
With two on and one out, Phillies manager Rob Thomson lifted ace Zack Wheeler in favor of power lefty Jose Alvarado, who has emerged as one of the Phils’ best, high relievers. Alvarado enjoyed the platoon advantage against the first batter he faced, Jordan Alvarez, but as you’re about to see it didn’t matter much: Yes, that’s 450 feet from the game-changing home run to center field. Suffice it to say, this is a clutch hit, and it’s not the first time for Alvarez this postseason: When Alvarez stepped to the plate in the sixth, the game was basically a 50-50 toss. After touching the plate after his three-run blast, the Astros had an 84.3 percent chance of winning the game and thus the World Series. That’s exactly what happened.
Schwarber ended a pitcher’s duel and gave the Phillies hope
Framber Valdez and Zack Wheeler who starred in Game 6 went into the sixth, matched up against each other and it looked, felt and smelled like one of those games that the bullpens would give as a scoreless tie. Schwarber, however, was not in a happy mood in the top of the sixth, as Valdez sank into Philly’s lineup for the third time. With the count tied 2-2, Valdez faced Schwarber with a low and middle sinker, and Schwarber turned it around for the game’s first run: He left the bat at 107.3 mph and traveled 395 feet. Schwarber’s was the first home run Valdez has allowed at Minute Maid Park since July 3, and it’s just the second time a lefty has shut him down all year. This was Schwarber’s third home run in this World Series and his sixth home run after the 2022 season. Speaking of which, here’s a new piece of series history: Most importantly, though, it gave the Phillies their first lead since Game 3. Unfortunately for Philly, it wouldn’t last.
Houston’s pitching has been elite in the last few games of the series
Pitching depth has been the Astros’ playoff asset, and they’ve largely played by typing this October and November. That depth dominated the final three games of that series, as Houston’s pitching limited the Phillies to a total of three runs in Games 4, 5 and 6 combined (two of those runs came on solo homers by Schwarber). Game 4, of course, produced a combined no-hitter for the Astros.
The Astros have joined the next franchise tier
The Game 6 win means the Astros have become the 21st MLB franchise to win multiple World Series titles. (The Phillies, coincidentally, also have two). Of course, the Astros haven’t been close to being an MLB franchise that long. Their first season came in 1962. Among expansion franchises – that is, those founded in the first round of expansion in 1962 or later – no team has more than two titles. The Astros now join the Mets, Blue Jays, Marlins and Royals as expansion teams to win multiple titles.
Baker joined elite company and likely secured a place in the Hall
The Astros skipper becomes just the third black manager in MLB history to win a World Series, joining Cito Gaston of the Blue Jays (1992 and 1993) and Dave Roberts of the Dodgers (2020). Baker has been a consistent winning presence in the dugout for nearly a quarter of a century. He has 2,093 wins and has led five different clubs to division titles and postseason berths. Baker probably should have already been to Cooperstown one day (and that’s to say nothing of his damn good playing career) and now that he’s won a World Series he’ll definitely get a plaque. Baker came within five outs of a World Series victory with the Giants in 2002. Who would have thought that 20 years later he would be finishing the job?
title: “Astros Win 2022 World Series Houston Captures Second Title As Yordan Alvarez S Game 6 Knocks Off Phillies " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-11” author: “Emmanuel Judy”
In addition to Valdez and Alvarez’s heroics, rookie Jeremy Peña had two hits and was on base for Alvarez’s homer. This marks the second World Series title for the Astros franchise. The other came in 2017, a season in which the Astros were later found to have illegally stolen license plates. Now for some takeaways from the clincher in Houston.
Yordan Alvarez dropped a bomb on Philly’s hopes
With two on and one out, Phillies manager Rob Thomson lifted ace Zack Wheeler in favor of power lefty Jose Alvarado, who has emerged as one of the Phils’ best, high relievers. Alvarado enjoyed the platoon advantage against the first batter he faced, Jordan Alvarez, but as you’re about to see it didn’t matter much: Yes, that’s 450 feet from the game-changing home run to center field. Suffice it to say, this is a clutch hit, and it’s not the first time for Alvarez this postseason: When Alvarez stepped to the plate in the sixth, the game was basically a 50-50 toss. After touching the plate after his three-run blast, the Astros had an 84.3 percent chance of winning the game and thus the World Series. That’s exactly what happened.
Schwarber ended a pitcher’s duel and gave the Phillies hope
Framber Valdez and Zack Wheeler who starred in Game 6 went into the sixth, matched up against each other and it looked, felt and smelled like one of those games that the bullpens would give as a scoreless tie. Schwarber, however, was not in a happy mood in the top of the sixth, as Valdez sank into Philly’s lineup for the third time. With the count tied 2-2, Valdez faced Schwarber with a low and middle sinker, and Schwarber turned it around for the game’s first run: He left the bat at 107.3 mph and traveled 395 feet. Schwarber’s was the first home run Valdez has allowed at Minute Maid Park since July 3, and it’s just the second time a lefty has shut him down all year. This was Schwarber’s third home run in this World Series and his sixth home run after the 2022 season. Speaking of which, here’s a new piece of series history: Most importantly, though, it gave the Phillies their first lead since Game 3. Unfortunately for Philly, it wouldn’t last.
Houston’s pitching has been elite in the last few games of the series
Pitching depth has been the Astros’ playoff asset, and they’ve largely played by typing this October and November. That depth dominated the final three games of that series, as Houston’s pitching limited the Phillies to a total of three runs in Games 4, 5 and 6 combined (two of those runs came on solo homers by Schwarber). Game 4, of course, produced a combined no-hitter for the Astros.
The Astros have joined the next franchise tier
The Game 6 win means the Astros have become the 21st MLB franchise to win multiple World Series titles. (The Phillies, coincidentally, also have two). Of course, the Astros haven’t been close to being an MLB franchise that long. Their first season came in 1962. Among expansion franchises – that is, those founded in the first round of expansion in 1962 or later – no team has more than two titles. The Astros now join the Mets, Blue Jays, Marlins and Royals as expansion teams to win multiple titles.
Baker joined elite company and likely secured a place in the Hall
The Astros skipper becomes just the third black manager in MLB history to win a World Series, joining Cito Gaston of the Blue Jays (1992 and 1993) and Dave Roberts of the Dodgers (2020). Baker has been a consistent winning presence in the dugout for nearly a quarter of a century. He has 2,093 wins and has led five different clubs to division titles and postseason berths. Baker probably should have already been to Cooperstown one day (and that’s to say nothing of his damn good playing career) and now that he’s won a World Series he’ll definitely get a plaque. Baker came within five outs of a World Series victory with the Giants in 2002. Who would have thought that 20 years later he would be finishing the job?
