At the onset, the Astros are favorites to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series. Houston is an understandable World Series betting odds favorite. Cause by the Astros being perennial contenders for several years. Philadelphia is an upstart surprise that was a long shot when the season began. Houston is in the World Series for the second year in a row. And for the fourth time since 2017. Houston won its only championship by defeating the Rays in 2017. Houston lost in seven games to the Nationals in 2019. Last season they lost to the Braves
MLB Betting: 2022 World Series
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Houston Astros
TV: FOX
CashBet Odds: Houston Astros -184 vs. Philadelphia Phillies +155
2022 World Series Schedule
Game 1: Philadelphia at Houston — Fri, October 28
Game 2: Phillies at Astros — Sat, October 29
Game 3: Houston at Philadelphia — Mon, October 31
Game 4: Astros at Phillies — Tues, November 1
Game 5: Houston at Philadelphia — Wed, November 2 (*If necessary)
Game 6: Phillies at Astros — Fri, November 4 (*If necessary)
Game 7: Philadelphia at Houston — Sat, November 5 (*If necessary)
CashBet Wagering Analysis
At the beginning of the playoffs, Houston was the top sportsbook seed in the American League after winning the AL West. The Astros swept the Seattle Mariners in the AL Division Series and have won seven postseason games in a row. By contrast, the Phillies were the longest shot on the board when the MLB playoffs began. At the same time, the Astros were the second choice to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Correlate that Philadelphia was the sixth seed in the National League. Specifically, Philadelphia finished third in the NL East, 14 games behind the Atlanta Braves. But the Phillies defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card Series. Following that win, they beat the Braves in the NLDS before knocking out the Padres.
Astros manager Dusty Baker has the most wins of any manager who has not won the World Series. To be exact, he was coaxed out of retirement in 2020 to complete his resume. Baker was hired at the height of the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal.
Differing Backgrounds and Postseason Perspectives
Of course, for Philadelphia, this is unfamiliar territory. The Phils have not played in the World Series in 13 years. The Astros are looking to become the first team of the Wild Card era to run the table in the postseason. And the first team to do so since the 1976 Reds.
Last time out, the Phillies won a thriller, 4-3, over the Padres in Game 5 of the NLCS. Thanks to a dramatic eighth-inning homer by series MVP Bryce Harper at Citizens Bank Park. Subsequently, the Astros finished off a sweep of the Yankees with a 6-5 win in the Bronx. As mentioned earlier, Houston has reached the World Series for the fourth time in the last six years.
Bryce Harper Heroics
Harper has been in the Baseball betting odds spotlight ever since he made the cover of Sports Illustrated. Specifically, that was when he was a 16-year-old phenom. Since then, he’s lived up to the hype in every way except in the postseason. That changed this month, and the two-time NL MVP is a huge reason why.
Harper’s iconic go-ahead homer in Sunday’s pennant clincher capped a strong MLB betting lines NLCS. In sum, Harper hit .400 (8-for-20) with three doubles, two homers, and five RBIs. Overall, in the postseason, he’s hitting .419 (18-for-43) with six doubles, five homers, and 11 RBIs.
Correlate that Harper hit the biggest homer of his career. Now the baseball betting question is whether he can continue fueling the Phillies’ Cinderella run.
2022 World Series CashBet Free Pick
Since Rob Thomson took over as the Philadelphia manager, the Phillies have been transformed. Philadelphia brings tremendous World Series Betting value.
2022 World Series CashBet Best Bet
Philadelphia Phillies
