Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks Ready For the Rarest of World Series Matchups

Given where these franchises were just two years ago, a World Series matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers is as rare as it gets.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers will meet Friday night to begin the World Series under the rarest of circumstances.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

the D-Backs (110) & Rangers (102) each lost 100+ games in 2021 

that’s the most and 2nd-most losses 2 years prior by a team to reach the World Series

the D-Backs (110) & Rangers (102) each lost 100+ games in 2021

that’s the most and 2nd-most losses 2 years prior by a team to reach the World Series https://t.co/g7LVMlbwa7

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 25, 2023

It's been an incredible turnaround for both franchises, who each took different paths to get to the playoffs. Texas was a juggernaut, in control of the American League West for most of the season, but faltered down the stretch and ended up getting a wild card spot. Houston won the division on the last day of the regular season but Texas took them out in the ALCS.

The Diamondbacks were great early, but then really struggled in early August, and ended up getting in as the final wild card team. They only won 84 games this regular season then defeated the Brewers, Dodgers and Phillies in the playoffs.

In addition to the different paths taken, both teams built their rosters differently. The Diamondbacks are built largely internally. Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Ketel Marte, Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt were all developed all or mostly by the D'Backs.

The Rangers have a fair amount of internal development as well, but they've made waves for their spending in the last few years. They signed Corey Seager and Marcus Semien to mega deals before the 2022 season. They also got Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney and Jacob deGrom in recent offseasons, though deGrom has missed most of the year with injury.

The World Series begins on Friday night.

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