3 reasons the Houston Astros will win the World Series

1. Dusty Baker making the right decisions

Houston’s manager told reporters before the postseason began that his lucky number was 12. That’s the same number he wears as the Houston skipper and the number of times (including this season) that he has led a team to the postseason. In the previous 11 trips, Baker has not won the title. Twelve, however, will be that lucky number that Baker mentioned at the start of 2022’s postseason journey.

But it isn’t just about luck for the Astros in 2022. Baker has been pulling the right strings for the Astros throughout the postseason.

Look back at Game 1 of the ALDS against Seattle. While all of the focus may have been on the three-run walk-off home run by Yordan Alvarez that gave the Astros an 8-7 win, there were crucial moments leading up to Alvarez’s blast that provided the winning margin. With one out in the ninth, Baker chose rookie David Hensley to pinch hit. With no postseason experience, Hensley fouled off a pair of two-strike pitches before finally being plunked by Seattle closer Paul Sewald on the eighth pitch of the at-bat. As Hensley trots to first, Houston’s rally has begun.

Moments like that involving Baker’s decisions this postseason have paid off for the Astros, showing that his experience in the bright lights of October is a big plus for Houston heading into the brightest lights of all, beginning on Friday night.