Editorial

Philadelphia Phillies Advance To The World Series For The First Time Since 2009

Bryce Harper, MLB, baseball, home run, Phillies, Philadelphia

Bryce Harper [Screenshot/Twitter/Public — User: Philadelphia Phillies]

Seth Roy Contributor
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The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Sunday night to advance to the World Series for the first time in over a decade.

Superstar designated hitter Bryce Harper hit the go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to propel Philadelphia to victory. With the win, the Phillies will play in their first World Series since the 2009 season.

After beginning the 2022 season 22-29 with Joe Girardi as the team manager, the Philadelphia front office decided to fire Girardi and hire Rob Thomson as their general manager. Thomson signed a contract to remain in his current role through 2024, ESPN reported Oct. 10.

The Phillies didn’t look like they had a shot at making it into the playoffs until they made the change in managers. After their poor start under Girardi, Philadelphia had to scratch and claw their way to just make it into the post-season. They were one of the last teams to qualify for the playoffs.

The Philadelphia Phillies have advanced to the 2022 World Series

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 23: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates with teammates after defeating the San Diego Padres in game five to win the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Thomson coached the ball club to a 65-46 record in relief of Girardi, taking a team that hadn’t made the playoffs in over a decade to now being on the doorstep of baseball immortality. (RELATED: We Didn’t Think It Was Possible To Throw A Slider With This Much Velocity, Until Yu Darvish Proved Us Wrong)

The Phillies are showing up to World Series as the underdogs. Their opponent is the Houston Astros, who won the American League Championship Series (ALCS) over the New York Yankees in 4 games Sunday, Oct. 23. Houston lost the 2021 World Series in six games to the Atlanta Braves, but the Texas team were champions in 2017.

Since Girardi was fired, the Phillies have played special. With the way their season has gone so far, the 2022 World Series might just be their year.