Ray’s Ramblings: 2022 World Series Preview

The Astros’ World Series roster has 140 combined games of WS experience

The Phillies’ roster has played 9 combined WS games

that 131-game diff is the largest entering a WS since 2001, when NYY had 212 games & ARI had 26, a 186-game difference in WS experience

h/t @EliasSports

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 28, 2022

The look of a man who took his team from 22-29 to a #WorldSeries. pic.twitter.com/kCladLYTBI

— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2022

Best five-year winning% since 1961, without overlapping seasons:

.646 Dodgers, 2018-22
.626 Braves, 1995-98
.626 Reds, 1972-76
.621 Astros, 2018-22
.620 Orioles, 1969-73
.617 Yankees, 1998-02

This is the Century Club. These six *averaged* 100 wins per 162 over five seasons.

— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) October 27, 2022

Astros have outscored opponents 29-12 since trailing Seattle in the fourth inning of ALDS Game 1.

— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) October 27, 2022

Astros pitching this postseason:

1.88 ERA
0.93 WHIP
.178 Opp BA
11.1 K per 9 IP

So @Buster_ESPN asked: what’s a starting pitcher comp for these numbers?

Just ONE SP has had these numbers or better in a qualified, full season:

2000 Pedro Martínez

⬇️ pic.twitter.com/QXC3HHKVMo

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 26, 2022

Astros pitchers have struck out 31.6% of batters so far this postseason

that’s the 2nd-highest rate for a pennant-winning team entering the World Series since playoffs expanded in 1969, trailing only:

2019 Nationals, 33.8%

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 26, 2022

The @astros' bullpen has been flat out dominant! #postseason pic.twitter.com/v53146DetT

— MLB (@MLB) October 26, 2022

Jose Altuve started historically slow this Postseason, but went 3 for his last 7 at-bats in the ALCS 📈@Plakata breaks down what he's been doing at the plate and what to expect from him in the #WorldSeries.#MLBTonight | @JakePeavy_22 | #LevelUp pic.twitter.com/OnGJW0c00K

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 27, 2022

😤😤@Phillies | #WorldSeries | #RedOctober pic.twitter.com/THA5PaCbX8

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 27, 2022

Bryce Harper has been on a TEAR this #Postseason. Can he culminate this run with a championship?#MLBTonight | @JakePeavy_22 | @Plakata | #RedOctober pic.twitter.com/4Yr0dKve1I

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 27, 2022

Most total bases on opposite-field hits in a single postseason in the pitch-tracking era:

David Freese, 2011: 24 (18 games)
Randy Arozarena, 2020: 22 (20 games)
Bryce Harper, 2022: 21 (11 games so far) 😮
Derek Jeter, 2009: 16 (15 games)
Kyle Tucker, 2021: 16 (16 games) pic.twitter.com/yfp2XU2t1k

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 26, 2022

Aaron Nola is starting Game 1 for the @Phillies. @JakePeavy_22 breaks down the last time they faced the Astros to clinch a Wild Card spot 👀#MLBTonight | #RedOctober pic.twitter.com/nycUMCy9yM

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 27, 2022

The Phillies left today for Houston. Jean Segura went on the bus/plane in his uniform. He’s locked in. pic.twitter.com/oBw7MIGdel

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) October 26, 2022

Justin Verlander will join Roger Clemens as the only pitchers ever to start a World Series game in three different decades.
(h/t @MLBNetwork)

— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) October 27, 2022

At 39 years & 250 days old, Justin Verlander will be the 4th-oldest pitcher to start Game 1 of the World Series, younger than only:

2005 Roger Clemens: 43 y, 79 d
2003 David Wells: 40 y, 151 d
1959 Early Wynn: 39 y, 268 d https://t.co/3pb9xAw0bk

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 27, 2022

🧐🧐#MLBNow | #RedOctober pic.twitter.com/BAaHK3mGbV

— MLB Now (@MLBNow) October 26, 2022

Who's gonna be the Taco Hero? #WorldSeries

(MLB x @tacobell) pic.twitter.com/VCU3cUksIs

— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2022

Flame throwers.

h/t: @SlangsOnSports

(MLB x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/5SzU2hyrKw

— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2022

The best postseason records of the Wild Card Era:

1999 Yankees, 11-1 (.917)
2005 White Sox, 11-1 (.917)
1998 Yankees, 11-2 (.846)

Five have gone 11-3 (.786):

2004 Red Sox
2018 Red Sox
1995 Braves
2007 Red Sox
2008 Phillies

The Astros have not lost a postseason game so far.

— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) October 27, 2022

Brock Holt retires as the only player in MLB history to have 3+ Appearances at every position (include DH) besides Catcher & have a World Series Title ‼️ pic.twitter.com/O7AKc4HNKW

— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) October 27, 2022

More accolades for @JRODshow44!

Julio has been named @sportingnews 2022 AL Rookie of the Year. #SeaUsRise

🔗 https://t.co/vbFrownp68 pic.twitter.com/HLaWc9mfhR

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 27, 2022

Blue Jays outfielder George Springer underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow this week, per club. It was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas.

Blue Jays say they expect Springer to be ready for spring training.

— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) October 27, 2022

Congratulations to @SpencerSTRIDer on being named the @sportingnews NL Rookie of the Year! pic.twitter.com/3baAtbIAlD

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 27, 2022

Adam Wainwright’s contract with the St. Louis Cardinals: one-year, $17.5 million. $10 million is deferred. $500K each for 28, 30 starts, plus other awards/bonuses.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) October 28, 2022