Updated odds & analysis on the Houston Astros in the 2022 World Series

Just as they have been for most of the season, the Houston Astros’ chances at winning the World Series are good. According to FanDuel, the Astros’ World Series odds are -190 whereas the current odds to win the 2022 World Series for the Philadelphia Phillies are +160. But can the Astros finish the job and win the 2022 World Series?

Astros World Series odds 2022

Obviously, the Astros’ World Series odds are working in their favor, but that doesn’t guarantee success.

After all, this is the fourth time Houston has been to the World Series in the last six years.

All odds taken October 25 at FanDuel Sportsbook

The team’s last two trips have been unsuccessful, including last year against an NL East opponent. Let’s dig a little deeper into Houston’s matchup with the Phillies and see if the Astros’ World Series odds will mean a championship in 2022 or not.

Expect a slugfest

If the Astros are going to win the World Series, they might have to be prepared for a slugfest. The Philadelphia lineup has churned out 5.2 runs per game during the postseason, which is more than Houston’s 4.4 runs per game during the playoffs. In 11 postseason games, the Phillies have hit 16 home runs. Both Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins have hit five homers each, showing impressive power. Since both teams play in a ballpark that’s favorable to home run hitters, there could be a lot of offense in this series.

Of course, the Astros also have one of the most dynamic lineups in baseball.

Houston’s lineup includes five players who have hit multiple home runs in seven playoff games. That list includes Yuli Gurriel, Alex Bregman, and Jeremy Pena, who are all hitting over .300 during the postseason. However, while he’s starting to come around, Jose Altuve is just 3 for 32 (.094) during the playoffs.

He’s an important catalyst at the top of the order and the Astros need him to come alive during the World Series and set the table for the team’s power hitters.

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Pitching is the great equalizer

While the Phillies have gotten to the World Series largely because of their offense, good pitching can sometimes negate good hitting during the postseason.

This year, nobody has pitched better than the Astros during the playoffs. If we can forgive Justin Verlander’s poor performance in Game 1 of the ALDS, the Astros have conceded just 11 runs in their other six playoff games.

Keep in mind that Verlander redeemed himself in the ALCS, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings while striking out 11.

Both Framber Valdez and Lance McCullers have also provided quality starts in each series for the Astros, posting a 1.42 and a 2.45 ERA, respectively. Meanwhile, the Houston bullpen has been up to the challenge late in games. The quartet of Rafael Montero, Hector Neris, Bryan Abreu, and closer Ryan Pressly has combined to allow just two runs on nine hits over 21 innings during the postseason, dominating late in games.

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Will the Astros win the 2022 World Series?

Our MLB playoff predictions have favored the Astros for much of the postseason, and that’s not going to change now.

The Astros will enter the World Series on a nine-game winning streak. They’ve won all seven of their playoff games to this point, as well as their last two games of the regular season, which oddly enough came against the Phillies.

They have all of the momentum, confidence, and talent needed to win a championship. For what it’s worth, the Phillies could give Houston a little trouble with the power in their lineup. They also have a couple of aces on their pitching staff with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.

However, the Astros are the more talented team in the World Series and have been close to perfect in October. Even if it takes six or seven games the Astros are going to win the 2022 World Series.