By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor
Philadelphia Phillies 1B/OF Rhys Hoskins is coming off of a stellar first full Major League season, having finished first among all National League players in pitches per plate appearance (4.42), tied for fourth in go-ahead RBI (29), seventh in walks (87) and extra-base hits (72), tied for seventh in home runs (34), tied for eighth in doubles (38), and 10th in RBI (96).
On Wednesday, the Phillies' Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente awards nominee took a media tour of New York, which included a visit to the New York Stock Exchange. In conversation with "Cheddar," a "leading post-cable news, media, and entertainment company" at the NYSE, Hoskins revealed his 2018 World Series winner between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.
.@Phillies slugger @rhyshoskins joins #CheddarLIVE to talk about how his young team plans to build off the success of this past season, what he likes and dislikes about social media, his numerous superstitions, and his surprising pick for who will win the World Series. pic.twitter.com/hUVrG2mXlD
— Cheddar (@cheddar) October 24, 2018
Despite 2008 Phillies World Series staples Chase Utley and Ryan Madson eyeing their second and third championships, respectively, Hoskins alternatively chose the Red Sox as his World Series winner.
"I'm going to say the Red Sox in 6. It's going to be a good series," Hoskins said. "Both teams are really good, but the Red Sox are just too good of a team I think."
Hoskins said the Dodgers and Red Sox being in the World Series is "good for baseball," given they both are "big markets" and "really good teams."
"It's fun to watch and analyze it as a player," he said, "but it's also fun to take that analytical hat off and just be a fan. You don't get to do that very often during the season. … There's so many different ways to be successful. Learning each guy's nuances, what they do and how they get prepared …. every guy's different. If you take a little bit from each and every one that you come across, you got a pretty good chance to be successful."
When asked if the Phillies will be World Series-bound in 2019, Hoskins replied, "I would hoped to be, but I'm not guaranteeing it."
Smart answer, Rhys.
The Red Sox currently lead the Fall Classic 1-0, winning the series' first game 8-4 on Tuesday. Game 2 is underway Wednesday night at the historic Fenway Park.