The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros orchestrated a culture shift in 2019. By choice or by obligation. A turning point that culminates in a clash in the World Series.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
The Phillies had missed the playoffs in the previous 11 years. Even if the organization evolves in a boiling market and that it is one of the oldest in the major leagues, we sometimes tend to forget that it had to take its troubles patiently.
Over the past century, the Phillies have won only 2 World Series titles in addition to taking part in the fall ball just 13 times.
The city of brotherly love was ripe for a wind of change. On February 28, 2019, the face of this franchise changed.
The Phillies have brought in one of the most coveted free agents of the past decade: Bryce Harper. At 26, the outfielder signed a 13-year, $330 million deal.
Since being claimed first overall in the 2010 draft by the Washington Nationals, Harper has lived with the pressure to succeed and win. What he failed to do in the American capital, despite fantastic seasons on an individual level.
Nonetheless, when Harper appeared to the media at Citizens Bank Park in March 2019, he put his word on the line when he said he wanted to “bring a title back to Philly.”
His debut was inconclusive, but in 2021 a change has taken place. The American with the full beard has regained his ease. He was dominant, like in his prime in 2015, and was voted MVP of the season.
Just a few days ago, he was the one who propelled his team to the World Series with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning.
As a championship is never won alone, the Phillies had to find what it took to complement Harper well and thus become a serious threat.
A few weeks before Harper’s arrival, the Phillies had acquired receiver JT Realmuto. At the end of the season, the Phillies secured the services of excellent pitcher Zach Wheeler. Then, just before this season, Philadelphia signed veterans Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos. The two sluggers have been decisive since their arrival.
The contribution of veterans has been a major asset during this up and down season. Despite becoming Nationals champions, the Phillies started the campaign with a grip on them: coach Joe Girardi was fired in June, when the club went 22-29.
At the break of the All-Star game, the team had just regained a winning ratio of 49-43. They finished the season as the last team to qualify for the playoffs.
Still, they will fight for a championship ring.
PHOTO WENDELL CRUZ, ARCHIVES USA TODAY SPORTS
The Houston Astros swept the New York Yankees in four games in the Championship Series.
The Return of the Unloved
In return, the Houston Astros arrived through the front door. The only team in the American League to have won at least 100 games, Houston still has an extremely solid core. Justin Verlander, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez still rule the roost in Texas.
However, many baseball fans still have the scandal that broke out in 2019 on their hearts.
The team were found guilty of installing cameras in different places in their stadium and carrying out an elaborate scheme to steal the signals of opposing teams, notably during their 2017 conquest.
The players at the heart of this scam continue to operate with impunity. Despite the enormity of the cheating, the League did not crack down on them.
There hasn’t been a big rebuild to draw a line between the past and the future, but the team had to start winning again to make it clear they have what it takes to win honestly. The Astros have gone to the Finals twice since, thanks to their big guns.
The Astros are once again coming to the end of this season with the label of big favorites.
They haven’t lost a game since the start of the playoffs and even swept the New York Yankees, yet the most explosive team in major league baseball.
Despite everything that has happened, the Astros have kept the same recipe on the field: a good rotation including three quality starters, as well as an efficiency and depth at bat. Three hitters are averaging over .300 in the playoffs.
This is without counting the fact that Jose Altuve is unrecognizable. Since the start of the playoffs, he hasn’t homered, produced no runs and has a .094 batting average.
If he were to get going, this final series could last less than expected.
