2022 World Series Best Bets (Odds, Picks to Win, World Series MVP Predictions)

The stage for this year's Fall Classic is set from Minute Maid Park, where the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Houston Astros for the 2022 Fall Classic.

The Astros return for the fourth time since 2017, hoping to collect their second world championship this time around. The Phillies have not been to the postseason since 2011 as they attempt to win their first title since their 2008 team took down the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1.

Here are the BetSided team's best bets to win the 2022 World Series in the best-of-seven series, along with our top picks for World Series MVP.

2022 World Series Picks and Predictions: Phillies vs. Astros

Houston Astros (-189)

If the Astros can get a win against the Phillies in either one of Aaron Nola's or Zack Wheeler's start, they're going to be firmly in the drivers seat to win the World Series.

The biggest advantage Houston has over Philadelphia is the back-end of their rotation. Lance McCullers, Cristian Javier are leagues above Ranger Suarez and Noah Syndergaard this season. Not only that, but the Astros bullpen is so strong that if a starter stumbles, they can replace him with an absolute stud before too much damage is done. The Phillies don't have that luxury.

There's a reason the Astros are 7-0 in the postseason, and as good of a story as the Phillies run has been, it's going to fall one series short. - Iain MacMillan

Of all the Astros teams that have been a part of this run, this is the most complete version.

They have starting pitching for days, the bullpen is good, and the lineup is solid. Teams don't luck their way into three World Series appearances since 2017. They've continued to develop talent from within, spend when necessary, and found ways to win at an elite level along the way.

The Phillies have had a nice season, but this is just another chance for the Astros to prove why they’re the most consistent, and best team in baseball. - Donnavan Smoot

Philadelphia Phillies (+165)

The Houston Astros have not slayed the dragon that is National League East teams in the World Series. In 2019, the Washington Nationals got the best of them in seven, the Atlanta Braves took them down a season ago, and I'm betting they go 0 for 3 again this year as well.

The Astros are an elite team that's barnstormed their way through the postseason with clutch hitting, outstanding defense, and an elite bullpen. But don't sleep on the Phillies, especially with the top of their rotation.

Aaron Nola opposes Justin Verlander in Game 1, and Nola had just as good peripherals as Verlander over the course of his likely AL Cy Young campaign, leading all Major League pitchers in Fangraphs' wins-above-replacement (fWAR). As for Wheeler, he's been efficient in his postseason work with a 1.78 ERA and 25-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Bryce Harper is putting up all-time postseason numbers, and the rest of the lineup is mashing along with him.

It may be an upset, but it's not a matchup Philadelphia is afraid of, or certainly can't handle. - Ben Heisler

I’m taking the underdog to win the World Series!

The Phillies have been the hottest team offensively throughout the playoffs, and I think their pitching is undervalued in this series.Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler are two front-line starters that can match up with anyone in baseball, and the team’s bullpen reinforcements, David Robertson mainly, have helped immensely.

As good as the Astros have been in the playoffs, they have not gotten the bats going just yet. That could be problematic if Philly continues to hit the cover off the ball.– Peter Dewey

2022 World Series MVP Picks and Predictions:

Jeremy Peña +1800

Jeremy Peña was named the ALCS MVP, and I'll bet on him to be named World Series MVP as well.

He has the highest OPS of all Astros hitters at .984, and has three home runs in seven games with a batting average of .303.

As we see time and time again, the MLB postseason is all about who gets hot at the right time, and Pena seems to be that guy. At +1800, he has the best value on the board amongst all members of the Astros. - Iain MacMillan

Peña has come up big exactly when the Astros needed him all postseason long.

He was the deciding factor in the 18-inning marathon match against the Mariners, and had a home run in the first and last game of the ALCS.

With a .303 postseason BA, timely home runs and a good glove, Peña has all the tools to be the driving force behind one more World Series ring, while also cashing on an +1800 bet. - Donnavan Smoot

Bryce Harper (+550)

Chalky pick? Sure. But since I’m taking the Philadelphia Phillies to win, it’s only logical to back Harper to win World Series MVP.

Harper is having a postseason for the ages, slashing .419/.444/.907 while hitting five homers and six doubles.

The narrative is there for Harper as well, leading a team to his first World Series title while hitting clutch homer after clutch homer. – Peter Dewey

Nick Castellanos (+4000)

The Phillies' postseason has belonged to Bryce Harper, but his spectacular play may be held back in the World Series if the Astros decide to simply not pitch to him in key situations.

The biggest beneficiary of those potential decisions is outfielder Nick Castellanos, who hits right behind Harper in the lineup, and could see a ton of fastballs over the heart of the plate as the Astros dare him to beat them instead of No. 3. That may prove costly as he hit .311 this season with runners on for the Phillies.

Meanwhile, Castellanos has experience playing in Houston during his many years in Detroit, and comes into the series swinging a solid bat with with nine hits, three of them going for extra bases with six RBI to boot.

I'm already taking a swing on the Phillies to win it all, so might as well go for the big dog on the board with a great opportunity in front of him. - Ben Heisler

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.