PHILADELPHIA – “HITS ONE IN THE AIR LEFT-CENTER FIELD, BACK IT GOES, HARPER, THE SWING OF HIS LIFE!” Fox Sports announcer Joe Davis exclaimed, who called game five of the National League Championship Series. This moment solidified Bryce Harper’s legacy and will be a moment fans in Philadelphia will remember for the rest of their lives. 

It was October 3. It was a day that Phillies fans were waiting for. The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first playoff berth since 2011, beating the Houston Astros 3-0. Little did they know that this would be the last team standing in their way of a World Series title. 

“We’ve got four more Topper!” said catcher J.T. Realmuto in the locker room after game 5 of the NLCS, as the Phillies celebrated their first National League title since 2009. The team is now one step closer to winning it all. The championship feels so close to this ballclub and they are confident that they have the ability to get the job done. 

It’s been fourteen years. The wait is finally over. The Philadelphia Phillies are headed to the World Series. Let that sink in. The Philadelphia Phillies are going to the World Series. 

Entering the playoffs, the probability of this team advancing this far was almost zero. But after nine wins and many rounds of hearing “Dancing on My Own,” the Phillies are the lone team remaining from the National League. 

They were underdogs against the Cardinals. They were underdogs against the Braves. They were underdogs against the Padres. Now, they find themselves as underdogs against their World Series opponents, the Houston Astros. Can the Phillies defy the odds one final time?

Opening up the series in Houston, it’s a battle of the aces as Aaron Nola is set to duel with Justin Verlander on Friday night. Zack Wheeler is expected to get the start for game 2 before the series shifts back to Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies are 5-0 this postseason. 

The Phillies are 3-0 in game 1 so far in the playoffs. Can they continue their streak and steal game 1 in Houston? Taking at least one game in Texas to begin the series would be crucial in becoming closer to being the 2022 World Series Champions. 

This duel with the Astros will be no easy task. The team has not lost a game yet this postseason and won 106 games during the regular season. They are also in the World Series for the second straight year. Can the Phillies overcome the odds one final time, and bring back the title to Philadelphia?

A World Series win for the Phillies would be the first since 2008, a year where the storylines have been very similar. Both teams won the divisional series in 4 games. Both teams won the championship series in 5 games. Both teams had great hitting. Both teams had great pitching. Can this incredible run deliver to fans in Philadelphia what they’ve been waiting for since 2008?  

What was a rough start to the season is now in the rearview mirror. Thomson took over and has already helped lead the team to the Fall Classic. Will this magical run end with a title, or will it end with the Phillies coming up just short? Only time will tell. Can the excitement and momentum for the Phillies continue from a Red October into a Red November?