The World Series begins with upstart Philly taking on Houston, the tainted juggernaut

The World Series starts Friday between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies. The season started late because of a work stoppage. Houston is undefeated this postseason and in its fourth World Championship in six years. Philadelphia is playing for a title for the first time since 2009.

The Phillies are in the World Series. John Middleton bought Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler and Kyle Schwarber for $527 million. Harper is a seven-time All Star and twice named Most Valuable Player in National League. Schwarbers hit 46 home runs this season. Wheeler has been scintillating in playoffs with an earned run average of 1.78. The World series begins with Philly taking on Houston.   The team won the National Championship Series against the San Diego Padres.

The World Series begins with upstart Philly taking on Houston. Jean Segura had a crazy performance in the NLCS against the Padres. He was picked off at first base and had an error, an RBI and a single in one inning. Segurra is from the Dominican Republic. He is proud of the way he plays the game. The fans booed him.

The Houston Astros won the World Series in 2017. Since then, they have advanced to the American League Championship series each year. The team has been accused of illegally using technology to steal signs from opposing teams and banging on trash cans to signal to batters what pitch is coming next. Major League Baseball took steps to prevent Houston and other teams from breaking the rules.

The World Series begins with upstart Philly taking on Houston. Many baseball fans are still holding the "cheater" sign on the Astros.

Jeremy Peña has been playing well for the Houston Astros since replacing Carlos Correa. Peñas was named the series' MVP in the American League Championship Series. Justin Verlander will start for Houston on Friday. He will be the team's first game without Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Yuli Gurriel, Lance McCullers, Jr. and Lance Verlanders.

There are no U.S. born Black players on either team's active series roster. It's the first time that's happened since 1950. The decline of Black baseball players has been ongoing since the late 1980's. MLB has tried to fight the decline with programs such as RBI – Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities. Last year, MLB pledged up to $150 million to the Players Alliance. The organization is trying to increase involvement of African Americans at all levels of the game. Houston manager Dusty Baker believes help is on the way.

The World Series begins with upstart Philly taking on Houston. The Astros are favored to win their second World Championship since 2017. Manager Dusty Baker is trying to get his first managerial title. He managed the San Francisco Giants in 2002. He lost to the Anaheim Angels in that Series.