The Texas Rangers will face off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Fall Classic starting Oct. 27.
The Diamondbacks return to the World Series for the first time since 2001, where they face the Rangers, who look to win their first ever series championship.
Coming into the season, the Diamondbacks were not expected to be particularly good after a 74-88 record, and finishing fourth in the NL West last season. In the offseason, they acquired two key pieces that sparked their offense: in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, they exchanged catcher Daulton Varsho in return for catcher Gabriel Moreno and left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
After an amazing season last year, their ace, Zac Gallen, pitched phenomenal again and was in the NL Cy Young race all season.
Finishing the regular season with an 84-78 record, they barely snuck into the playoffs and took down the Brewers, Dodgers, and Phillies to advance to the World Series.
The Texas Rangers finished with a 68-94 record four games ahead of the Athletics for fourth in the AL West. In the offseason, they acquired one of the best pitchers in the world, Jacob Degrom, and also signed Corey Seager in free agency. Degrom, unfortunately, tore his UCL early in the year and needed Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him all season. Even with the loss of their star pitcher, they started the first half really strong, but struggled in the second half.
Going into the playoffs, the Rangers were not expected to go far considering their weak finish to the regular season. Throughout the playoffs, they fought hard and beat off some tough teams, such as the Astros and Orioles.
In game one, the Diamondbacks are trotting out Gallen, although he has not pitched well in the playoffs. The Rangers have Nathan Eovaldi on the mound, who has pitched very well in the playoffs, not only this season, but in his career.
Overall, the Rangers have the better team – and also a chip on their shoulder. It has been 22 years since the Diamondbacks won a World Series, which is also their only World Series title. This matchup should be an intriguing and hard-fought series which could very easily go seven games, and either side has a chance at winning. That said, the Rangers have a better team and more to play for – they should, in theory, take this series in seven games.
