Bryce Harper's homer powers Phillies to World Series

Going, going it’s gone! Bryce Harper just sent the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series with a crucial two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead and victory in the bottom of the eighth inning and all the momentum, sending the crowd into a complete frenzy. It was his 10th career postseason home run with none more crucial than the one he hit last night that was one of the biggest moments in the Phillies franchise history.

After winning his second career National League (NL) MVP last season https://www.djssportsshow.com/post/bryce-harper-wins-2nd-career-mvp, Harper would add to his trophy case with his first NLCS MVP after hitting a .400 with two home runs and five RBIs, as well as an iconic homer that will be remembered forever in Philadelphia sports history forever.

The Philly sports hero had some iconic words to his hitting coach Kevin Long as he walked up to the on-deck circle: "I said, 'Let's give them something to remember.”

Harper continued: "I didn't want to get back on that flight back to San Diego. I just didn't want to get on a 5½-hour flight, I wanted to hang out at home and enjoy this at home with these fans and this organization and this fan base."

The Phillies made the postseason in the MLB’s new playoff format that allowed them to sneak in as the last seed in the NL with 87 wins, ending what had been the second-longest playoff drought in the majors. The Phillies become the first sixth seed to reach the World Series where they will face off against the world-beating Houston Astros who are rightfully villainized after cheating their way to the World Series title and many deep playoff runs from 2017-2019.

The Astros finished with by far the best record in the American League (AL) with a 106-56 record behind their talented team from pitcher Lance McCullers Jr to outfielders in Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker. This team will be a handful and is stacked with talent, coming off a 4-0 sweep of the New York Yankees.

The Astros ranked near the top in many pitching statistical categories throughout the season from runs allowed (2nd) to home runs allowed (2nd), and shutouts (4th), according to https://www.lineups.com/mlb-team-rankings/pitching. Meanwhile. the Phillies ranked sixth in home runs, ninth in on-base percentage, and seventh in RBIs.

Either way, Harper and the Phillies will be up for the challenge against the Astros in what should be a thrilling World Series matchup. The Phillies had to go through a St.Louis Cardinals team in the wild-card round to upsetting the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves who were coming off a 101-win season to now eliminating the Padres in five games.

Harper is worth every penny of that 13-year, $330 million contract he signed in the winter of 2018. He’s hitting an absurd .419 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in the postseason thus far. His teammate, All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto, whom the Phillies traded for and re-signed as a free agent has also made his impact on the team with two home runs and 10 runs scored. Left fielder Kyle Schwarber signed before the season, bringing in another powerful hitter with World Series championship experience from his Chicago Cub days also was helpful with his three home runs and six runs scored.

After the game Harper said: "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."

Four more wins they have to go until their first-ever World Series title since 2008. Can they do it? Harper continues to have moments as he did in Game 5 will only help boost their chances to win a title.

Can the rocket slinger Bryce Harper lead the Phillies to their first World Series title since 2008?

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• Yes, Philly stand up!
• No, Astros got this