Philadelphia Phillies reach World Series — and a Canadian is managing them

Bryce Harper slugged his fifth homer of the post-season, a two-run blast in the eighth inning that turned Citizens Bank Park into a madhouse, and the $330 million US slugger powered the Philadelphia Phillies past the San Diego Padres 4-3 on Sunday and into the World Series for the first the time since 2009.

Rhys Hoskins also hit a two-run homer to spark Philadelphia's improbable run to the National League pennant and a shot at its first World Series championship since 2008.

Harper has made the monumental feat of hitting a baseball look so easy in the post-season and he delivered with easily the biggest hit in his four-year Phillies' career.

BRYCE HARPER ARE YOU SERIOUS?! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Postseason?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Postseason</a> <a href="https://t.co/NKRTeNLJMl">pic.twitter.com/NKRTeNLJMl</a>

J.T. Realmuto began the inning with a single off reliever Robert Suarez and Harper lined a 2-2, 98 mph sinker opposite field into the left field seats as another sellout crowd of 45,485 fans shook the stadium.

"I knew he was going to come with his heater," the two-time NL MVP said during a TV interview. "Just tried to take the best swing I could and was able to do damage with it."

The lefty-swinging Harper connected off a righty — the Padres had left-handed closer Josh Hader warming in the bullpen, but didn't bring him in.

Harper, who turned 30 last week, is batting 439 (18-for-41) with six doubles, five homers, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored over 11 post-season games. He has hit in 10 straight and has reached base in 11 straight.

And the feared designated hitter can keep those streaks alive when he plays in his first World Series.

"To a certain degree, it's getting overlooked because of who he is