Rob Issa, FISM News
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When Bryce Harper signed a $330 million, 13-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies in March 2019, he wanted opportunities like the one he faced Sunday.
The Phillies trailed the San Diego Padres 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning when Harper stepped to the plate and launched a two-run homer the opposite way to left field. Regular starter Ranger Suarez took the mound in relief to record the final two outs with two runners on base to propel the Phillies to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
BRYCE HARPER IS A PHILADELPHIA PHILLIE pic.twitter.com/UjLTijwIqe
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 23, 2022
Harper, the 2021 National League Most Valuable Player, now gets his first chance to play on baseball’s biggest stage.
The Phillies will face the Houston Astros, who swept the New York Yankees to remain unbeaten in the postseason.
“I think we all think in our backyards it’s the World Series, right? Every moment, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, 3-2 count, best pitcher on the mound in the World Series,” Harper said. “So you dream about it, but also you dream about that next step. You dream about that next one. So I’m looking forward to that next one. I think we’re all looking forward to that next one. This is great. To be able to be the last National League team standing right now. The Philadelphia Phillies, we’re here. We’re ready to go in that next round. We’ve got four more. We’re going to enjoy this as a team, as a group, but we’ve got four more.”
The Astros are playing in the World Series for the fourth time in seven years. They won it all in 2017 and lost in 2019 and 2021.
“It’s surreal. You dream about this stuff when you’re a kid,” rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena said. “We’re a step away from the ultimate goal.”
The World Series kicks off on Friday with the Phillies and Astros scheduled to face off in Game 1 in Houston.