For the third time in six years, the Houston Astros are headed to the World Series, a dynasty brewing following the controversial 2017 cheating scandal that started it all. This year they have a date with the shock of the playoffs, the heavy underdog Philadelphia Phillies.

When it was discovered that the Astros’ 2017 banner was a facade made possible by secret cameras capturing opponents’ pitches following their second World Series appearance in 2019, fans across the league were unsure what would become of the team. 2020, the COVID season, was the first year the team was left to pick up the pieces after multiple firings and suspensions across the franchise. 

For about a year, the Astros were in full-fledged turmoil. But winning cured everything.

In 2021, the Astros made their way back to the World Series, to many fans’ dismay, as the team was still among the most hated and ridiculed throughout the entire regular season and playoffs. All season, if the Astros were in town, the opposing crowd would let them hear it all night.

Last year’s resurgence ended at the hands of the red-hot Atlanta Braves, who were heavily expected to be the loser of the series. Again, a chance at redemption came up short, and with the prompt exit of star shortstop Carlos Correa, the future of the team was seen as yet another flyball into center.

Then, the calendar changed to 2022, and the Astros found themselves at the helm of the MLB standings, second only to the soon-to-be-upset Dodgers. Primed for October for the sixth consecutive season, a different ballgame was brewing in Houston.

The Astros swept the Mariners in three close games, and Yordan Alvarez stayed true to his breakout season with a three run home run to complete the game one comeback that propelled the playoff run. Set to face the Yankees in the ALCS for the third time in six years, many analysts expected another closely contested six to seven game series.

Yet this time, the Astros brought the brooms up to New York.

Dominating the New York Yankees in a four game sweep, the only game that came relatively close was the final one, New York fighting for its playoff lives, but to no avail.

On the other side of the bracket, the Phillies ran through the defending champion Atlanta Braves, then the Padres, and now are set for a date with the Astros in a championship series few could have predicted.

Houston’s 2017 World Series hardware has collected as much dust as a bad reputation, but sitting at 7-0 in the 2022 playoffs, the team has its sights set on expanding the trophy case. Game one from the juice box is set for Friday at 7:03 p.m.