With the 2022 MLB season coming to a close, it is the perfect time to review the exciting teams, disappointing seasons, and broken records. To start, it is fitting to mention some of the exciting teams in the past season. One of the most exciting was the Dodgers, with 111 wins breaking a franchise record. This also makes them one of seven teams in the MLB to pass the 110-win threshold. Although they had a great season overall, they had a surprisingly early exit in game four of the National League Division Series. Their 5-3 loss to the Padres cemented this game as one of the most disappointing finishes in baseball history. The Padres midseason acquired Juan Soto and Josh Bell from the Nationals, adding some young talent to an already star-studded roster. The Astros also had an impressive season by reaching the World Series for the 4th time in six years. The Astros won the ALCS by taking down the Yankees. Credit also has to be given to the Phillies, who, after starting 22-29 at the beginning of the season, decided to fire their manager Joe Girardi. After replacing Girardi with Rob Thomson, the Phillies have turned their season around and reached the world series. Another team that exceeded expectations was the Baltimore Orioles. Even though they missed the playoffs by four games, they showed that they are a future contender with new young talent led by catcher Adley Rutschman. At the trade deadline, they gave away veteran Trey Mancini for future prospects making their team even younger and hopefully better for the future. Even with all of this, the most exciting thing this season was a great player who impressed everyone by breaking the American League single-season home run record. Aaron Judge had 62 home runs this season and surpassed Roger Maris’ 61 home runs for the AL record.
Although there were some exciting events, there were also some disappointing performances. Starting these teams off is the San Francisco Giants who had a disappointing season with only 81 wins compared to their previous 107-win season with a similar team. Their pitching and lack of homers prevented them from another playoff season. Another disappointing team was the LA Angels, who once again found themselves far out of the playoff picture. Even with star talents such as Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Anthony Rendon, the Angels still have yet to find success with this group. These disappointing results also led to the question of whether Trout or Ohtani will be traded. The White Sox also came up short of the playoffs after they lost to the ALDS last year and were projected to win their division. The White Sox finished their season by being a .500 team and missing the wild card round.
All of this brings us to the present, where we see the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies duke it out in the World Series. The Astros are returning to the World Series after last year’s loss to the Atlanta Braves and sweeping both the Mariners and the Yankees in the playoffs led by ALCS MVP and rookie Jeremy Pena. The Philadelphia Phillies are back to the World Series for the first time since back to back appearances in 2008-2009. The Phillies were able to pull off upsets against the Braves and Padres and are undefeated at home in the postseason so far. They are coming into the World Series behind NLCS MVP Bryce Harper, who hit over .400 in the NLCS and hit the go-ahead home run in game five to send the Phillies through to the final round. Whatever occurs next is sure to be entertaining and a fitting end to the 2022 MLB Season.
