For the past five seasons, the Houston Astros have made it known that they will make it deep into the postseason, but have never quite been able to grasp the World Series title. But this year was finally their year. 

The 2017 Astros team was able to achieve the ultimate goal of being the last team standing, but in the 2018 season a pattern began of losing in the AL Championship series. The following season they fell just short of the World Series, then yet again lost the AL championship series. To continue this pattern, they lost the World Series to the Atlanta Braves in 2021, but they finally broke the trend by winning their second World Series title in six seasons against the Philadelphia Phillies. Can they win again within another six seasons?

Game 1 of 6 started at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Justin Verlander took the mound but ultimately took the loss after giving up a 5-0 lead. In the long run, they ended up losing 6-5. 

Advancing onto the second game with Framber Valdez on the mound for Houston and Zack Wheeler for the Phillies, the Astros tied the series up 1-1 after winning 5-2. 

Heading up to Citizens Bank Park for game three, arguably the most important game of them all, especially while being tied, the Phillies shut out the Astros 7-0. 

The Astros came back even harder in Philadelphia by no-hitting them, with a final score of 5-0 to tie it yet again. 

Game five was close but the Astros were able to come out on top 3-2. Game 5 was extra special for Verlander and his family considering he got his first World Series win at the age of 39.

The sixth and final game was looking good for Philly all for about a half-inning after Kyle Schwarber launched a solo homer to get things started, until Houston responded with a 4-run inning shortly after. 

Yordan Alvarez hit a 450-foot home run to center field to turn this game upside down, 3-1. Christian Vázquez was able to add on a huge insurance run with a base hit. Houston completed the task by winning 4 to 1. It was a special win for all, especially Astros manager Dusty Baker, who got his first World Series ring after 25 years of being a manager and 50 years in the sport. 

Jeremy Peña won a gold glove award and was the first ever rookie position player named AL Championship Series MVP

Although the Phillies came up short, they made it further than anyone expected them to. They were the underdog sixth seed, but they were able to do something 28 teams weren’t able to do: getting to the World Series. 

The Phillies had some tough competition in the NL East with the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves but they made it the furthest. It was going to be a tough challenge for them, but they never stopped fighting, hence the nickname Fightin’ Phils. 

As the 2022 postseason has officially come to an end, we are heading into the off-season. Each and every team will make improvements to their team hoping to get what every team wants: a World Series title. Will players such as Aaron Judge and Jacob Degrom stay in New York or go elsewhere? We will see over the next few months of offseason activity.