MLB Playoff Picture 2022: Top Moments from Phillies and Astros' Path to World Series

The Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies used two different types of dominant results to set up the 2022 World Series matchup.

Houston rode its fantastic pitching to most of its seven victories in the American League bracket over the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees.

It did not appear the Astros would follow that formula during Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Mariners.

Justin Verlander was pulled after the fourth inning, and the American League West champion was down to its final out before one swing changed the complexion of the series.

Yordan Alvarez rocked a three-run walk-off home run off Robbie Ray into the right-field seats at Minute Maid Park.

Houston locked up the series win two games later in an 18-inning thriller in Seattle. Jeremy Peña blasted a solo shot to left-center to complete the sweep in the 18th inning.

The Astros had a much easier time getting past the New York Yankees. They completed a sweep by outscoring the AL East champion 18-9.

Verlander started off the ALCS with an 11-strikeout performance. He is expected to get the ball in World Series Game 1 against either Zack Wheeler or Aaron Nola.

Houston used a two-run seventh inning in Game 5 to take its last lead of the ALCS. Ryan Pressly finished off the win by getting Aaron Judge to ground a weak ball back to him. The win secured Houston's fourth World Series berth in six years.

Philadelphia advanced to the World Series in more emphatic fashion. Bryce Harper walloped a two-run home run into the left field bleachers at Citizens Bank Park in the eighth inning of NLCS Game 5.

Harper comes into the World Series with 18 postseason hits. He went 8-for-20 with two home runs against the San Diego Padres.

The Phillies benefited from the long ball throughout the NLCS. Rhys Hoskins flexed his power with three home runs at home in Games 4 and 5.

Hoskins produced the most iconic moment of the Phillies' NLDS triumph over the Atlanta Braves with a home run off Spencer Strider in Game 3.

The Phillies will try to use their bats to power past the Astros in the World Series, but that could be a difficult task against Verlander and Co. Houston could struggle as well to get its bats going against the dominant duo of Wheeler and Nola.

The World Series begins on Friday night in Houston. The Astros will host the first two games, and then the series turns to Philadelphia on Monday night.