World Series 2022: Updated MVP Outlook Before Astros vs. Phillies Game 5
The Houston Astros delivered what could turn into a series-changing blow in the 2022 World Series on Wednesday night.
The combined no-hitter from Cristian Javier and three relievers silenced the Philadelphia Phillies bats that hit five home runs the night before.
While Javier's accomplishment on the mound is fantastic, it may not be enough to put him at the top of the Most Valuable Player discussion.
Javier may not pitch for the rest of the series, and it may be hard to justify giving the award to someone who pitched in Game 4 and not in a series-clinching contest.
Alex Bregman inserted himself back into the MVP discussion because of his clutch hitting. He sent a two-run double into right field to give the Astros pitchers the necessary cushion to secure the victory.
The MVP race could change with the swing of one bat over the next three games, but after Game 4, it looks like Houston has the edge in that conversation.
Updated MVP Odds
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Bryce Harper (+390; bet $100 to win $390)
Kyle Tucker (+450)
Alex Bregman (+450)
Framber Valdez (+950)
Cristian Javier (+1200)
Jose Altuve (+1400)
Yordan Alvarez (+1400)
Jeremy Pena (+1400)
Kyle Schwarber (+1700)
Yuli Gurriel (+2500)
Alec Bohm (+2500)
J.T. Realmuto (+3500)
Alex Bregman
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Alex Bregman's fifth-inning two-run double was the most important offensive play of Game 4.
The Houston third baseman drove in Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena right after Yordan Alvarez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Bregman's double allowed the Astros to have a bit of a cushion on the scoreboard. Kyle Tucker's sacrifice fly and Yuli Gurriel's RBI single followed in the five-run rally.
Bregman now has the second-highest RBI total in the World Series behind Tucker, who did most of his offensive damage in Game 1.
Tucker is still slightly ahead of Bregman on the MVP odds chart, but the order of the two players could change with one more big hit in Game 5.
Houston appears to be in the better hitting situation in Game 5 against Noah Syndergaard and whichever bullpen arms are used in the middle innings by the Phillies.
The Astros saw Syndergaard twice in the regular season while he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels, and that may help Bregman and Co. get off to a fast start to provide run support for Justin Verlander.
Bryce Harper
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Bryce Harper is still the MVP favorite for now.
Harper's signature hit of the series was a first-inning two-run home run in Game 3 that kicked off a home-run hitting frenzy inside Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies were shut down in Game 4 by Cristian Javier and Co., but they can't let one game affect their approach at the dish.
Philadelphia got five runs off Justin Verlander in Game 1, and that should be the rallying cry within the Phillies clubhouse going into Thursday night.
Harper needs to produce a big hit or two, or reach base in a few at-bats to keep his spot on top of the MVP odds board.
The Phillies' designated hitter is 3-for-14 in the series, but his overall numbers will not matter if he comes up with a clutch hit or two in his team's final home playoff game.
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Cristian Javier
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Cristian Javier needs to at least be mentioned in the MVP conversation after his six-inning gem on Wednesday night.
Javier struck out nine batters over his six hitless frames. That went down as the best starting pitching performance in the World Series so far by a distance.
The case for Javier to win MVP is tough to make because he may not pitch for the rest of the series.
Javier might get used in Game 7 in some capacity, especially if Lance McCullers Jr. struggles again, but there is no guarantee that the series even reaches that point.
Houston turns to Verlander on Thursday night and has Framber Valdez set up for Game 6 at home on Saturday night.
Dusty Baker could choose Javier over McCullers for a Game 7 start, if the series gets that far, so that he has his best possible arm on the mound to oppose Ranger Suarez.
The Astros and Phillies have to reach a Game 7 for that situation to even be possible. It is not out of the question because of the split that occurred through four games, but Javier may fall behind others in the MVP discussion leading up to a potential Game 7.
It will be hard for Javier to replicate that performance in Game 7, and the MVP voters may be more willing to give the award to the batter who comes up with the series-winning hit, if it reaches seven games.
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