Phillies presence in the World Series abundant once again

Former Phillies teammates will battle head to head in this year’s World Series

Phillies fans will once again be watching the World Series from afar as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros battle for immortality.

Amongst the two franchises are three former Phillies expected to be active for the final series of the postseason. Chase Utley remains a critical veteran presence for the Dodgers while Charlie Morton and Ken Giles help carry the Astros pitching staff.

Morton was critical in the Astros American League Championship clincher after throwing five shutout innings in game seven against the New York Yankees. He’s expected to get at least one start against the Dodgers behind a terrific rotation of Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, and Mike Fiers.

His success is surprising coming off a torn hamstring suffered in his fourth start for Philadelphia last year after an offseason trade with Pittsburgh.

Morton signed a free agent contract with Houston last offseason after the injury.

Giles continues to dazzle with an overpowering fastball, which made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia early in his young career. The 27-year-old was viewed as the closer of the future in Philadelphia after the departure of Jonathan Papelbon, but a trade with Houston left Philadelphia’s bullpen without the young stud.

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Starter Brett Oberholtzer and prospects Vincent Velasquez, Thomas Eshelman, Mark Appel, and Harold Arauz came into the Phillies organization in exchange for Giles and prospect Jonathan Arauz. Velasquez has been a flashy, yet inconsistent, piece of Philadelphia’s rotation, but could ultimately move to the bullpen.

Eshelman received the Paul Owens Award as the best pitching prospect in Philadelphia’s farm system. He’s expected to start the 2018 season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley but could see a major league promotion in the summer.

Appel has dealt with several arm injuries, and Arauz spent the majority of his season in High-A Clearwater.

Related Story: Ken Giles trade: One year later

Game One of the World Series will be on Tuesday in Los Angeles with Keuchel facing Clayton Kershaw.