The game is set: the Diamondbacks and the Rangers will face each other in the World Series. It will all start on Friday in Texas.
Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly the World Series we could easily predict. After all, the Rangers had/have notable relief deficiencies.
It appeared a little towards the end of the series, but nothing more.
As for the Diamondbacks, the fact of going to the World Series despite a meager total of 84 victories in the season (two more than the Padres…) was the talk of the town.
But OK. Right now, both teams deserve their place in the sun.
What’s crazy is that the two clubs (which won games #6 and #7 on the road) were not among the favorites at the start of the season.
For what? Because clubs that enter the playoffs for the first time in a while do not quickly gain popular favor.
The DBacks hadn’t made the playoffs since 2017. The Rangers? We’re talking about 2016.
But never mind, the two clubs built differently (the Rangers signed bigger free agents) did like the 2022 Phillies: got to the World Series after a long drought.
And unlike the Phillies, who had not made the playoffs since 2011, a club between Arizona and Texas will win top honors.
Another reason why the Rangers and Diamondbacks are overlooked? The records of the two teams in 2021.
A year ago, the Rangers lost 102 games and the DBacks lost no less than 110. The Orioles (who also made the playoffs in 2023) also had 110 losses two years ago.
So we’re going to see one of these teams get their hands on the World Series within two weeks. It’s quite exciting.
What is your prediction?
- Craig Breslow, the new boss in Boston, should be able to hire his GM from the Red Sox.
- Evan Longoria returns to the World Series.
- A good rookie is going to win the World Series.
