The Major League Baseball season officially concluded, and the Houston Astros emerged victorious in the 2022 MLB World Series.

In this year’s World Series, the Houston Astros faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies. Both teams were looking to bring home the World Series title for themselves, their team and their city.

The Astros last won the World Series in 2017. However, their win was surrounded by cheating rumors, and these rumors were proven true. The Houston Astros cheating scandal rocked the baseball world, so the team, understandably, had to step up their game in order to prove themselves worthy of the champion title.

While the Phillies were not a team expected succeed into the postseason, they pushed themselves as worthy contenders with strong plays made by All-Star names Bryce Harper and Kyle Shwarber.

Game 1

Game 1 was hosted at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros. Securing a home-field advantage in the World Series can positively influence performance, but the supposed advantage didn’t have much of an impact on this game.

The Phillies were losing 5-0 in the third inning, but they made the improbable happen, scoring five runs in the third inning that tied the game. All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto was the hero of this game and smashed a solo home run that put the Phillies in front in the tenth inning. The Phillies took Game 1, 6-5.

Game 2

Once again at Minute Maid Park, the Astros looked to tie the series while the Phillies looked to push ahead.

The Astros jumped on the Phillies early by having a three-run first inning. They added to their lead in the fifth inning to make it a 5-0 game. The Phillies were able to add runs in the seventh and ninth innings, but it was not enough. The Astros took Game 2, 5-2. The series was now tied at one game a piece.

Game 3

An offensive silent Phillies team looked to not make the same mistakes again as they hosted the Astros at Citizens Bank Park for Game 3. The game was delayed one day due to inclement weather.

This one-day delay could have been the game changer as the Phillies came out roaring. They scored seven runs in five innings as the Astro bats were silent. The Philadelphia team completely silenced the Astros for a shutout game-three win, 7-0. The Phillies now lead the series, 2-1.

Game 4

Game 4 was another home game for the Philadelphia team. Meanwhile, the Astros looked to tie the series before the Phillies could add another game to their lead.

In Game 4, the Astros ended up throwing the second world series combined no-hitter in history. The team’s determined stride towards success carried on as the Houston Astros took Game 4, 5-0, and tied the Series 2-2.

Game 5

In Game 5, the Phillies desperately needed to secure another win at home before traveling back to Minute Maid park.

Elite pitching by future hall-of-fame candidate Justin Verlander, with the Houston Astros, made all the difference in Game 5, as the Astros sealed their victory, 3-2. The Astros were now only one win away from claiming the World Series championship title.

Astros third baseman Alex Bregman commented on Verlander’s outing as he secured the team’s first-ever World Series win.

“Everybody in this room knows how meaningful that one win is,” Bregman said. “It’s meaningful to all of us, not just him. He’s our staff ace, our leader.”

Game 6

The Philadelphia Phillies hoped to push the series to seven games. At the same time, the Houston Astros had high hopes of capturing their second world series win in five years.

Ultimately, the stacked Phillies team could not keep up with the offensive heavy hitters and menacing pitching offered by the Astros. With a final score of 4-1, the Houston Astros secured the big win in 2022 MLB World Series champion.

Astros rookie Jeremy Peña ended up securing the MVP of the World Series, being the first-ever rookie shortstop to accomplish such a feat. Peña spoke on the inspiration that motivated his recent success.

“This is special,” Peña said. “It has a lot to do with my family, my upbringing. They gave me the confidence to just go out and play my game.”

Steele Jackson, a Moorpark College student and baseball fan, voiced his thoughts on the World Series.

“I think both teams had a great run and unfortunately, the Phillies could not keep up with the Astros bullpen,” Jackson said. “I love baseball, but I don’t love this team [the Astros].”

The 2022 baseball season was unforgettable, with record-breaking seasons and new breakout stars. Young stars had a chance to shine, while older faces inspired the next generation. It is uncertain what the next season has in store, but baseball will be back after football finishes its turn in the spotlight.