The Haters Guide to the 2022 MLB Postseason

There have been a lot of accomplishments in this sports year: Aaron Judge broke the AL home run record with 62, Miguel Cabrera hit #3,000, Albert Pujols suddenly and inexplicably returned to his prime form and went to hit his 700th home run (and then some). But here is where the most important aspects of the year come into play: October. Postseason baseball is one of the most intense times in the sports calendar. It's a time where legends are made, tragedies are written, and a team immortalizes themselves in baseball history.
This video is a preview of the (now expanded) baseball postseason, for better or for worse. Probably for worse.

[@ham4321]

The Twins philosophy: “You can’t lose 10 consecutive postseason series if you don’t make the playoffs in the first place”

[@obijuanquenobi1911]

Shit on them all you want but it does work. Can’t argue with that

[@neutralamity]

@Fries i like to think that they don't

[@michaelpagano7819]

@Fries issue is their pitchers have never been good! So. That’s a little stretch.

[@UHOH_415]

Big Brain moves.

[@ryanc1296]

It's what they deserve for acquiring the injury gods from the Mets over the offseason. 0/10 move imo

[@jonpredicts9731]

As a Phillies fan, it was really satisfying to avoid yet another autumn collapse and make it to the postseason.

[@Empr4evr]

The Phillies tried their darnedest to collapse, but the Brewers were just like "nah, I'm good" and checked out of their series with the Marlins. You should Miami a gift and a thank you note.

[@kyolusrex8711]

Lol UT is a salty Pittsburgh fan … Could have talked about JG firing Harper/Segura being out most of the season Jose Alvarado coming back from demotion to be the best lefty rp in baseball

[@SwiftOnSports]

@@kyolusrex8711 Legit. Not to mention, his dig about the Phillies fanbase hating Alec Bohm. Completely missed the way the fans reacted to Bohm owning up to his mid-season 'I hate this fucking place!' gaff, and how he's fucking loved in Philly now. Dude had a really solid season overall. UT strikes me as having given a half-assed effort when it came to reviewing the Phillies season, and previewing their Playoff appearance.

[@nopenope2550]

@@SwiftOnSports The Phillies upside is winning the Wild Card and getting bounced in the divisonal round. I wouldn't have wasted much time on them either.

[@Heisenberg4188]

As a mets fan I'd say you've earned it now please beat the cardinals for me

[@CuriousOfficial]

UTree: The Phillies are mediocre, suffered through adversity and a free fall to end the year, and are only here because of the MLB's extra seed rule. Phillies: So I took it personally.

[@grahamdamberger7130]

Also Phillies: We are in the NLCS boys.

[@punmasterlouie5488]

they really took it personally

[@nashthesecond0002]

The only team standing between the WS trophy and the New Empire.

[@Dxdarkness]

Now they are in the WS

[@tysonmaddox1090]

Tbf he didn’t say anything actually wrong about our Phillies. Idk how we got here😂

[@AlanNadeauIII]

The fact that Seattle returns to the playoffs & the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup, both for the first time since the year I was born (2001) is just crazy. Also, gotta love a Frozen joke thrown in that isn't shoehorned and actually makes sense for the situation. Thank you Craig Kimbrel.

[@ST0NE_206]

seeing the Mariners finally back in the postseason is a dream come true

[@mahmoud6843]

Lets hope they dont, in the words of UrinatingTree, punch their fans in the dick again.

[@GamePro0012]

Mariners fan here.

[@itsfootballer503]

Nah fuck them

[@jacobcelmer4928]

Yup, rooting for Seattle this year

[@empire0]

As a Jays fan, enjoy the 2 days😇

[@bumperbonnie5721]

"The bullpen gives up leads like Neville Chamberlain", what a line

[@warlordofbritannia]

Munich is history’s 28-3

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

I'm glad others appreciated that line as well. 10/10 reference

[@randomnessatitsfineness190]

glad to see the O’s had a great year despite no playoffs. great future ahead.

[@OrioleFan336]

Best team to not make the playoffs, and for the seasons we’ve had since 2018 we will gladly take that!! This year was our warning shot

[@vinnythewebsurfer]

Considering them birds were playing better in the second half than any of their playoff “worthy” division rivals, it will be a shame if they can’t keep this momentum up next year.

[@michaelalbertson7457]

They should be in. So should Milwaukee. This year's playoffs system is the worst, every thing they come up with gets more non sensical.

[@NDTexan]

As far as the Braves go kenley has actually been otherworldly his past 11 appearances to end the season. Sub .8 whip sub 1.5 era, 8 for 8 saves. Found his cutter again. Routinely hitting it at his career best numbers for velocity and movement

[@iamhungey12345]

Better shape than Kimbrel and Chapman, that's for certain.

[@SuperCatacata]

Imagine a Braves vs Dodgers NLCS with Jansen pitching to Freeman for the win. We already saw it once this year and Freeman came out on top. That's a matchup fans of both teams probably pray doesn't happen. Lol

[@Painkiller-1997]

I can only hope Kenley doesn’t channel his inner Will Smith and give me too many heart attacks

[@donaldmackerer9032]

@@SuperCatacata from the Braves perspective you're right. That would be too much drama.

[@a17yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

As a Jays fan, this season was weird as hell to say the least, non the less I’m beyond proud of the boys for reaching the promised land of the postseason they came so close to reaching last year, if we can stay in the form we had all September, we could be serious contenders.

[@a17yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

@Fries you to, this wild card will be a balanced battle.

[@plawson8577]

BEAT the Yankees. Stop the Evil Empire who couldn’t even get 100 wins.

[@a17yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

@@plawson8577 unless they make it to the ALCS and we do to we can’t, besides the Jays look like they are gonna shit themselves anyway.

[@MisterVercetti]

This has aged _very_ poorly. Based on Tree's Twitter, I suspect Congrats, Blue Jays! (2022) is on the docket, given how the Jays shit the bed in the postseason Leafs-style.

[@a17yearoldonyoutubeluigi]

@@MisterVercetti I want nothing more than that.

[@Entername-md1ev]

Molina, Pujols, and Wainwright winning for the cards would be baseball’s version of “The Last Dance”. If my Jays don’t win I want the Cards to finish off the fairy tale ending

[@Shawn6751]

Here's the thing, we haven't forgotten about 2011, 2012 and 2019. Actually I want the Cards so we can pay them back.

[@jayy2423]

@@Shawn6751 nah man, we’re gonna scorch the Braves. Hey promise not to throw trash on ur own your home field this time. Ok little buddy?

[@shawnsenese1760]

**** the cards. I'm still mad about 2011.

[@Yesman-gq5ns]

@@Shawn6751 you bring up a good point, the braves have lost all 3 of their last postseason matchups with the cardinals 😂

[@Yesman-gq5ns]

@@shawnsenese1760 salty that David freese owns the number 2011 and everyone who choose to exist in his world

[@justinnzamora5366]

5:25 Thank you for the kind genuine words, UT. Should the M's bow out to Toronto, I'll be satisfied with the season. The Emerald City has already hailed Cal Raleigh as a hero for ending the dry spell.

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

It'll feel really hollow if we never get a home playoff game. We gotta beat Toronto and at least get a shot against Houston. Imagine beating them at home to move onto the ALCS!!!!

[@milo4866]

@@jefffinkbonner9551 hey :)

[@BenTGN]

Seeing the Phillies in a Postseason Haters Guide is all I needed in a Tree video. Now please excuse me as I expect us to get dropkicked by the Cardinals in the Wild Card round. 🙃

[@briansmith5513]

No. Please win and kick the shit out of the Braves.

[@luciomain5139]

There is NO WAY yall lose to the cardinals

[@cameronkehler9361]

Not sure why you think that. The teams are pretty equal and the Phils won the season series.

[@SuperCatacata]

Idc who wins. You just better beat the Braves. That fanbase is way too cocky rn.

[@bezllama3325]

Only thing I'm upset by is that he didn't do his research again, the hitting core was never consitent it was the starting pitching and the BP being good at times

[@saltywingsandavsfan]

I’m just happy to witness a Mariners playoff game for the first time in my life

[@fish5643]

Mhm *3-0* mhm

[@ThrashMetallix]

Big M's fan here, abs while I certainly hope we go far, the fact that we've had two consecutive 90 win seasons, and earned a trip back to the postseason is more than enough to be happy and excited for the boys. And I certainly hope they can keep it up for next year. Let's go M's! Show them why you're here!

[@donaldmackerer9032]

Yeah the Mariners are kind of the feel-good story for MLB this year. It's nice to see them finally back in the playoffs.

[@jacobsekela8691]

As a Phillies fan, I'm not expecting us to make it any farther than the WC (although I do think we may have a chance against the Cards, anything can happen) but I'm just happy that we are in the postseason again. If Harper never got hurt, I honestly think we would've wrapped up a WC spot MUCH sooner than we did.

[@UHOH_415]

How are you feeling now a few days before game 1?

[@MrGamerz20]

The Mets and Braves both finished with 101 wins. Braves went 78-34 since June, they were just on fire. Either way, new series for the Mets starts tomorrow, we move forward. First playoff games in six years, LFGM!

[@donaldmackerer9032]

Yeah but that last win was pointless. The division had already been clinched.

[@HylianJayAppears]

The video all Mariners fans have been looking forward to

[@justinnzamora5366]

Imagine the chaos if the World Series features Philadelphia and Seattle. Though I wouldn't object to a rematch between Houston and Atlanta. EDIT: Well I was correct about Philadelphia winning the NL pennant. Too bad Seattle couldn't take one game off of Houston.

[@10thletter40]

I will be anti-Astros forever and ever

[@GaIeforce]

I'd also like to see Mariners-Cardinals. But more than likely it'll probably be Braves-Yankees and I'll die inside.

[@bransonellison8881]

@@10thletter40 villain mode activated 😈

[@markgiordonello6710]

@@10thletter40 living rent free in your head lmao.....astros gonna dominate forever and ever.......and ever

[@markgiordonello6710]

Philadelphia and seattle world series 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@littlebones18]

Tree's use of video game music continues to amaze me. A little Earthbound/Mother under the Astros..love it

[@robertwashere9530]

do you know the sd padres music name by any chance?

[@Cynon]

@@robertwashere9530 "You're Mine" by Carpenter Brut, I think.

[@VikingArelius]

As of October 15th, the Mariners were swept by the Astros, with game 3 being a legendary game on both sides. Two full games crammed into one game, being 18 full innings and the Astros edging out the Mariners in the 18th after it remained scoreless the entire game. And admittedly, it hurt. But we made it to the ALDS for the first time in 21 years, that's still something to celebrate. Hopefully 2023 goes well for the Mariners and we make it back into the postseason.

[@duderbaker]

i’m rooting for my padres, but if they don’t make it i’d love to see Dusty Baker get a ring. dude really deserves it

[@Cambftw]

Wait the Yankees actually lost game 4 of the ALCS from an IKF error. Dude saw the future

[@johnwestbrook7170]

that phillies prediction... I hope it comes back to make a great debreifing

[@joesakic91]

Somebody's past roasting between the Astros and Phillies will be lifted.

[@matthewshortle5274]

12:48: "Stranger things have happened though" Yep, Phillies are in the World Series. That's strange enough.

[@badblight]

postseason Mariners. let's have some fun, no matter how long it lasts

[@sonofasheeran7526]

Literally everyone is saying the Phillies don’t belong and then we go sweep the cards and win game one at Atlanta

[@CuriousOfficial]

One game away from the NLCS

[@ChiefBlue4298]

@@CuriousOfficial now they’re in the NLCS

[@brockb1594]

Came back for 11:47 after the Phillies won the National League 😭😭😭

[@neowyld4127]

Bro how did you accurately predict the IKF error to end the Yankees season. You cursed us lmfao 😂

[@swag31556]

When a Yankees fan like myself gets upset that we have a WS drought of 13 years I just gotta remind myself of other teams, like the Seattle who haven't even been in the playoffs for 20 years.

[@cadengeer7961]

The Mariners making the postseason was on God the best part of my year.

[@brevinbarnes1325]

Watching the cardinals section after this weekend... Haha

[@billnolte8644]

Good job on the AL side. But I love how the NL side did not age well.

[@Skinnyd4]

One of my good friends is a Mets fan and I remember back in 2007, she was getting on my case about how the Phillies only led the NL East for one day. When I reminded her that that day was the last day of the season, she was speechless. For her sake, I hope she doesn't know any Braves fans.

[@Xhoven]

12:59 That Wilhelm scream with the guy falling 😄

[@jameslisle7775]

Blue Jays blew an 8-1 lead!

[@Yesman-gq5ns]

As a cardinals fan this season has been purely amazing as a baseball fanThis has been my favorite season since I can remember so happy for the Phillies and mariners for breaking their droughts and to Aaron judge of course not to mention shohei miggey pujols Yadi and waino just good baseball all around

[@michaelschneider9141]

As a Dodger fan, if we don't win it all this year I genuinely think we're cursed. If we can't win the World Series again in a 111 win season, there is something wrong with us.

[@SetheMan]

Don't feel too bad, the Astros made it to the World Series twice and dropped the ball against teams they were projected to win against. If they make it this year and blow it, it is them whom I believe are cursed.

[@jagdawgii929]

yall literally won less than 2 years ago, cope

[@michaelschneider9141]

@@SetheMan I mean we've had multiple seasons in which we were either projected to win it all and then fell short or made it to the dance but lost. 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 for instance. 2017 we were cheated out of winning, but 2018 we made it to the WS and still lost. Sure Boston was just the better team, but still. 2019 we set a franchise record in terms of wins and lost to Washington in the divisional. 2021 we tied that franchise win record and lost to Atlanta in the NLCS. If we can't win with 111 wins, there's something wrong with this organization.

[@farwest9218]

what a spoiled ass fanbase

[@LookSquirrel]

​​@@michaelschneider9141 2018 Red Sox were investigated and found to be cheating and have largely have been non-contenders since. Dodgers happen to have the MVP of that cheating team in Mookie Betts, but then I guess that would mean Dodger fans would have to admit they cheer for a cheater aknowleding that 2018 Red Sox squad.

[@DJSpur9220]

Man...I love the Cardinals, been a life-long fan since I was introduced to them in 96, but I'd love to see Seattle manage to win the WS. It's been a WHILE since Seattle had anything to cheer about.

[@McDermott271]

Coming back to this after Phillies braves

[@domonicdecoco2410]

People disagree but the top seeds really have a huge disadvantage. Baseball’s the sport where a one week break can make a team ice cold. 07 Rockies

[@Zo3yX]

I like how tree used the rays as both a team that is a feeder team and a playoff team when talking about how other teams have been beating up feeders or losing to play off teams

[@dspsblyuth]

If you are bad enough you can be both

[@anthonybattestella1669]

I’m back after the Phillies made the World Series

[@longsalad5334]

Hey it was a rough stretch for us, but you know what? It’s been 11 years, Phillies fans are happy! We’re just so happy we finally made it, idc if we get swept

[@BigZexyBets]

Who’s here after game 1 of the WS?

[@dougg2012]

*Watching this after the Cardinals got eliminated! *chefs kiss**

[@skullguy8504]

Yes the Phillies comments did age well. In his defense who could've seen that coming? And this is coming from a Philly fan.

[@codenamelarry6518]

It'd be interesting to see the Guardians break their curse in their first season with their new name, especially since nobody saw them coming. Down side is that if they can beat Tampa, they have to play the Yankees.

[@weregretohio7728]

A lot of people would be so pissed... I would die happy in twiceover.

[@shermanngjazz]

And now the Phillies are in the World Series!

[@thedude3065]

"I swear if they lose on an IKF error, I'm gonna laugh hysterically."

[@golfer435]

Tree with the Super Mario World GBA final boss track. Nice dude!

[@SharinganRebirth]

I don't know which is worse: Losing to a ship of seamen or losing to SpongeBob lol

[@emperorspam8200]

Let's go cardinals a world series ring will be a great sendoff for yadi, Wainwright, and albert

[@doesanyonehavegum327]

I honestly think the Braves might repeat and that scares me as a Dodger fan.

[@Andrew11017]

At least your not in a division with them. They’re stacked for the next 10 years and they don’t even have Soroka back yet😂

[@GaIeforce]

At least you only have the Padres to worry about in your own division. As a Marlins fan, we have the Braves, Mets, AND Phillies to worry about as we keep imploding on the field in years we're supposed to emerge.

[@codyhertzler2387]

Thank you, Philadelphia rejoices

[@The_FireSpitter]

My grandfather was a huge Cardinals fan. Watched them play ever since I was a child. He passed away this year. Them making it this far and also seeing Pujols breaking the record feels like destiny to me.

[@tigersfan8459]

Hell freezes over when Mariners, Marlins, Phillies, Tigers, Reds, Royals are all in it

[@Vegetaa4242]

Despite being a brewers fan. I want Pujols and Molina to win it. Great way to end such legendary careers. They deserve to walk off into the sunset

[@edwinrojasvida121]

Make a updated one pls😩😩😩

[@MCrunchy]

anyone else here after the Phillies clinched the pennant?

[@UndeadBrave]

As a Phillies fan, love seeing this video now! All the points made sense going into the post-season, but looking at our run, we must've done some insane witchcraftery to get the World Series lmao

[@mjwatts1983]

AL HOU: Made the WS for 4th time in 6 seasons with sweeps of Seattle & New York. Is this the year Dusty Baker *FINALLY* gets a championship or does the Succubus continuing feeding? NYY: “We want Houston! We want Houston!” And you got swept! The rest of the sports world laughs in your failure to get past a Texas based team in the ALCS (0-4, TX 2010, HOU 2017 2019 2022) CLE: Took the Yankees to the brink, but yet another October they wish to not remember TOR: I didn’t know the Maple Leafs also played baseball SEA: Won 1st postseason series vs Toronto but that’s mostly due to the Blue Jays Game 1 collapse. The dick punch came three times against the Astros with the fatal blow coming in an 18-inning 1-0 Game 3 at home TB: Also had a marathon game that ended with a crushing blow. Despite it being a shortened season, 2020 might’ve been their shot NL LAD: 111-win season, lose in 4 to your younger brother to the south. BTW, I’ve already pre-ordered Dave Roberts Overmanager 23! ATL: You got your ass kicked especially in those last 2 games STL: The Devil Magic ran out SD: Made everyone laugh at the Mets and Dodgers. Clock struck midnight in the NLCS. If only Tatis wasn’t suspended NYM: LOLMETS returned! I thought it would return in the NLCS with a loss to the Braves PHI: they’re the only ones remaining out of the NL…? After beating the Cardinals, they must’ve absorbed their Devil Magic

[@johnathanpatrick6118]

Interesting...that wasn't the rematch I'd thought you'd choose, Tree... 🤣🤣

[@paysonporter]

Imagine a Philly-Seattle world series. It won't happen, but it's crazy to think about.

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

So many things would have to go so amazingly wrong for that to happen, and I would absolutely love it!

[@yourboytrash9241]

How about them Phillies

[@dylanlowers5236]

It’s really annoying to see the Wild Card is now a series, not just a single game. Wish it was like that in 2014 and 15 then Pittsburgh might have done better in the playoffs

[@lesliejacoby9137]

I'm hoping people will realize what I have seen all along. Josh Hader is a ticking time bomb. I have never seen this guy give up one hit, walk, homerun, etc. and than proceed to calm down and get his head back in the game. He his either the most dominant or a free win especially to the Giants but coached never take him out when he explodes but instead leave him in to add fuel to the fire. That trade was horrible seeing what they gave up and picther (cant remember name) the padres gave up from the majors was could enough to be their closer.

[@kevinwong1988]

Tree jinx strikes again. This time the Braves is jinxed.

[@jaredjohnson8071]

Phillies beat the Cardinals but the description is accurate. The top of the rotation saved us along with random bullshit

[@Andrew11017]

Game 1 was given to us, we earned win in game 2. The pitchers clutched tf up

[@scottcarter8864]

Is that the SNES Super Mario World music I hear at the beginning?

[@jpthomas9491]

Honestly, I want Astros vs Cards for the World Series. If we win, we get three things: we dispel the demons of 2017, we get some revenge on St Louis for our days in the NL, and we get to be absolutely insufferable to Rangers fans for the rest of time

[@TwistedBagel7]

Another MLB season in the books. Another haters guide for the postseason GGs Tree.

[@davidwindell]

Takes on Guardians and Blue Jays didn’t age well

[@QQyoko]

Shoutout to the SMW Bowser music behind the Astros, great choice

[@donaldmackerer9032]

I hope he's right about the Braves being back in the World Series again. And I hope they win it. As for the American League team I guess it really doesn't matter because whoever makes it to the World Series is going to be good.

[@matzek7619]

All Star Baseball 2003's menu theme is an absolute classic.

[@taylorwinslette8061]

Been waiting for this all day

[@bearman490]

I want chaos to ensue all of the World Series. Yankees vs Mets! Showdown of all of New York City!

[@kurtpunchesthings2411]

Hahaha easy to say who's gonna win that one the Mets always have and always will be our bitch

[@robsartori5394]

I love how tree always throws Sega music in his videos. Particularly Streets of Rage.

[@Youngpada121]

Lol coming back to this video after ALCS and NLDS.

[@kennethbutler3727]

RED OCTOBER!!! THE PHILLIES ARE IN!!!! We're losing in the first round, BUT WE'RE STILL IN!!!!

[@Andrew11017]

Mission Accomplished

[@liamkelly2158]

the Phillies made it WTF

[@astrobuck7023]

I want to see the Astros win it all.

[@redhurricane24]

Cards/Rays for the WS with Cards winning it all. Book it

[@ElJefeGoldblum]

My god, that Streets of Rage soundtrack still SLAPS.

[@TheRealBatBoyAlive]

Astros winning the world series in 6 games against the Cardinals. Yes it's a very weird prediction.

[@Yesman-gq5ns]

I think it’s gonna be Yankees cardinals Yankees in 7 because think of the money mlb would make from that judge 62 pujols 700 and one of the biggest media markets in the world is in the series the script is too perfect you can almost smell the 💰

[@campbellmunn5326]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Trashtros are losing in the ALDS

[@plawson8577]

@@campbellmunn5326 What Happened?

[@CuriousOfficial]

I wasn't even born when the Mariners last made the playoffs! It's so great to see the team make the dance for the first time in my existence. And I'm not even a fan of the team (I'm a Twins fan, even thought that team disappointed me once again).

[@shermanngjazz]

The Braves and Dodgers both lost in the NLDS lmao The Mariners tried hard but got swept, oh well

[@elninoson5282]

There's going to be a Jays video right

[@dspsblyuth]

As soon as the stink settles

[@KameSennin4209]

Thank you for reminding everybody why they don't feel bad for Missouri sports fans. They stumble their way onto gold as a matter of course.

[@wittylibrarian]

As a Rays fan, I hope they make a run to the World Series but their inconsistency at batting and the season-ending nose-dive scares me. Anything with a St. Louis Cards World Series would be spiritually cleansing: Albert Pujols farewell to baseball as a player, doesn't matter if it's vs. Yankees or Astros (or with insane luck Rays), either way the Cards winning the Series would be an epic parting gift.

[@johnturner7952]

Tree, please do a haters guide to the 2022-23 NHL season

[@jameszimmerman1069]

12:46 Stranger things have happen. Go Phillies!

[@LeoMajor1]

As a Toronto sports team fan the Blue Jays are just following in the leafs footsteps. No surprises.

[@davidsawyers8754]

Can we all say MLB hit a highlight to finally have both Yanks and Mets in the playoffs? Then slide in the St. Louis old man magic with a little drama with Houston and a cherry on top with Seattle back after 2 decades MIA.

[@tdkb3395]

10:41 Oh it is but we continue to keep the Faith We are Friars afterall

[@pokeroots2]

As a Mariner's fan it's great that they finally made the post season again... it sucks that it took expanded playoffs, which there were a few times in the drought that the team could have made it.

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

Well, we took the 5th seed second wild card, so this year's expansion was unnecessary for the M's to get in. The 02 and 03 teams that had consecutive 93 win seasons would've made it with a second wild card, which was implemented about 6 or so years ago.

[@connorlove9149]

What are your thoughts on the Mario Trailer?

[@StrosProd]

As an Astros fan I’m ready to gloat as much as I can when we beat the dodgers in the World Series

[@rjlt4841]

Apparently the Dodgers found a way to avoid that particular destiny.

[@StrosProd]

@@rjlt4841 lol but we kinda made our destiny

[@rjlt4841]

@@StrosProd In the end that was all that mattered.

[@StrosProd]

@@rjlt4841 amen

[@THETexzilla]

Astros vs. Cardinals Astros in 6 It's the only way this should end. These are franchises tied at the hip through their rivalry in the late 90s through mid 2000s with cores constructed by the same mind. With so many key free agents looming, and Dusty and GM James Click in contract years, this might be the last best chance the Astros have at winning and overcoming their demons. The 2005 Astros were the same. So much money spent on Kent, Clemons and Pettite, with an aging Bagwell and Biggio. They had come up short the year prior against the Cardinals, only to finally win their 1st and only NL Pennant. They got swept in the World Series, but it was their first time to make the dance. For us, just for Biggio and Bagwell just to finally have a shot at a title was enough. If this is the end of an era in Houston, getting redemption and taking down an old rival? It would be perfect... though beating the breaks off Atlanta would be nice too.