Astros Favored Over Phillies to Win World Series
This story appears in the October 25, 2014 issue of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED. To subscribe, click here.
The American League Champion Houston Astros, winners of nine of the 10 series prior to this World Series, are now down 0-2 on a team which was once the AL East champs, one of the favorites to win the World Series.
In the other series, the World Series Champions Philadelphia Phillies have the edge 4-1. The final game of their World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
The World Series is just a few days away.
The Houston Astros won the World Series three years ago in seven games against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Philadelphia Phillies lost their second World Series four years ago in seven games against the Boston Red Sox.
Facing the Dodgers is a new World Series.
Before the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, fans in Philadelphia got to witness a little something special. A Philadelphia-based baseball team which was once a contender in the National League and was a champion of the American League won the World Series.
This team, however, is no longer an American League champion, it’s now a World series Champion.
Philadelphia’s World Series Champions
The Phillies are currently on pace for an offensive explosion and are being powered by their ace starter, Cliff Lee, who has already thrown 830 strikeouts. Phillies fans are excited because Lee only has one more season in the Majors. Lee is a left-handed starting pitcher. He has been outstanding since joining the Phillies.
Lee got the Opening Day win on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was also named the game’s Starter of the Week for his dominant performance. Lee set a new career highs in innings pitched (50), strikeouts (8) and quality starts (5).
In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 19, Lee pitched a 1-0 complete game shutout against the Jays to help propel him into the Cy Young Award race. He was also named as the National League MVP.
The ace has helped the Phillies to clinch a playoff berth and is a reason why the Phillies had the #2
