Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The 2022 World Series is almost set. Both the Philadelphia Phillies, surprisingly, and the more believable, Houston Astros, are each one win away.

The Phillies marched to a thrilling 10-6 victory Saturday, thanks in large part to an electric performances by Rhys Hoskins (2 HRs, 4 RBI) and Bryce Harper (2-for-4, 2 RBI). This increased their series lead to 3-1 over the San Diego Padres. A World Series appearance would be the team’s first since 2009 (loss against the Yankees).

Meanwhile, the Astros continued their domination over the New York Yankees. They shutout the Yankees, 5-0, on Saturday. Gerrit Cole allowed five runs, three earned, over five innings of work in the loss. This would be the Astros  fourth World Series appearance since 2017 (have won one over that span).

Game 5: San Diego Padres vs. Philadelphia Phillies, 2:37 P.M. ET – Series 3-1, Philadelphia 

Besides a hiccup in Game 2, the Phillies have relatively controlled the series against San Diego. There is some rain in the forecast this afternoon in South Philadelphia, though, if the game gets in, it is very possible there is bedlam in the City of Brotherly Love by evening’s end.

Today, Philadelphia will turn to one of their two aces, Zack Wheeler (2-1, 1.40 ERA), to get the job done. Wheeler pitched in Game 1 of the series and turned in seven dominant innings. He struck out eight and only allowed one hit. It resulted in a 2-0 Phillies win.

In that same game, the Padres pitched their ace, Yu Darvish (2-1, 2.84 ERA). Darvish also pitched well. He threw seven innings, allowing three hits (two home runs), two runs, and struck out 7. Expect a very low-scoring game in Philadelphia today, much like Game 1 when each of these pitchers faced eachother on October 18.

Padres Lineup

Phillies Lineup

Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Game 4: Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees, 7:07 P.M. ET – Series 3-0, Houston

The Astros have dominated the Yankees thus far. They have outscored New York, and their lowly offense, 12-4 over the three-game period. The Yankees’ offense is completely lifeless at the worst possible time. As mentioned, a Houston victory in the Bronx later tonight, can send the Yankees home short of a World Series appearance yet again.

To extend the series, the Yankees will have to hit off Lance McCullers. McCullers has made one start this postseason, a six-inning, two-hitter against the Seattle Mariners. He held Seattle off the board and struck out seven in the appearance.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will throw Nestor Cortes (1-0, 2.70 ERA) in the do-or-die Game 4. Cortes, who turned in a wonderful regular season, got hit around a bit in his two starts against Cleveland, though, only allowed three runs total. He made two five-inning starts, allowing a total of nine hits, and struck out a total of five. Though, as mentioned, only allowed three runs. He got the job done each time.

Astros Lineup: pending

Yankees Lineup: pending