MLB Power Rankings Entering the 2022 World Series (Can Anyone Beat Houston?)

The 2022 World Series is officially set!

The Houston Astros have rolled through the American League, going 7-0 in the playoffs to get back to the World Series for the second straight season.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies are the ultimate underdog, going from the final wild card spot to the World Series behind hot hitting from Bryce Harper.

Bryce Harper, but Moneyball pic.twitter.com/9b4glvpTua
— Red October Muse (@Phillies_Muse) October 24, 2022

Baseball fans will have to wait until Friday for the World Series to kick off, but that's good news for Phillies bettors, as the team used Zack Wheeler on Sunday in Game 5 of the NLCS. Friday's start should allow Philly to pitch him in either Game 1 or Game 2 against Houston.

Do the Astros, who lost to the Atlanta Braves last season in the World Series, get back to the top of baseball? Or do the Phillies turn their first postseason berth since 2011 into a title?

Here's how these team's stack up in our final power rankings of the 2022 season:

1. Houston Astros (-180) Last Week: No. 1

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander. / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros have dominated everyone in the playoffs thanks to some timely hitting and an elite pitching staff.

Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier and Lance McCullers is about as good of a top four starters you can have, and the Astros also have the league's best bullpen.

Houston navigated through the ALCS and ALDS despite Jose Altuve struggling, so this offense still can get better entering the World Series. The Astros have been here before, and they are rightful favorites over a tough Phillies squad.

2. Philadelphia Phillies (+150) LW: No. 2

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper. / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Harper has been everything the Philadelphia Phillies could have hoped for when they signed him a few years back, dominating on this postseason run.

The Phillies have a 1-2 punch in the rotation to compete with the Astros between Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, but the Phillies bullpen and the rest of the team's rotation certainly pales in comparison to Houston.

However, this team has been as hot as ever at the plate, and that could be the ultimate trump card, especially after what we saw the Atlanta Braves do last season.

If you believe in momentum, the Phillies may have it.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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