In the end, the Astros were just too deep. Philadelphia slowed them down on their march to the World Series. But Houston was just too good.

Houston used a grave error by Philadephia rookie manager Rob Thompson to remove his dominating starter because he showed the littlest sign of being human.

After his team went ahead 1-0 in the top of the sixth, Zack Wheeler hit the first Astros hitter. He coaxed a force out at second. Then gave up a single. 

Thompson took a page from fellow Rays manager Kevin Cash’s playbook in the 2020 World Series when he surprising removed Blake Snell, who was cruising in a must-win Game 6 against Los Angeles, only to immediate witness the Dodgers score on is lesser pitcher.

This time it was Wheeler who was removed from the game. The entire Astros dugout breathed a huge sigh of relief, and sent the Phillies manager a thank you note signed by the next batter Yordan Alverez who pummeled a three-run homer to effectively end the Phillies season.

In the end, the Astros scored one more run off the Phillies bullpen, while Zack Wheeler helplessly looked on, and won 4-1, winning the 2022 World Series.

It was a wonderful series all around, each game a joy in its own right. 

There was never any doubt the Astros would win. And, in the end, Dusty Baker finally wins that elusive World Series championship.