Inside The Rangers

World Series Notebook: Sports Illustrated Releases Texas Rangers Commemorative Edition

Relive the unbelievable run of the Texas Rangers to their first World Series title in a special commemorative edition from Sports Illustrated.

Inside The Rangers Staff

World Series Notebook: Sports Illustrated Releases Texas Rangers Commemorative Edition
World Series Notebook: Sports Illustrated Releases Texas Rangers Commemorative Edition /
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The first World Series championship is Texas Rangers franchise history is being celebrated with a special Sports Illustrated commemorative edition. The Rangers locked up the title with Wednesday night’s 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks to win the series in five games.

SI’s commemorative edition will take Rangers fan through the magical postseason run that began with sweeps of the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles before taking down the defending champion Houston Astros in the American League Championship series. Along the way, the Rangers went a record-breaking 11-0 on the road, capped by three wins in Phoenix to close out the D-backs.

World Series MVP Corey Seager, Adolis García, Nathan Eovaldi, José Leclerc, Marcus Semien, Jordan Montgomery, Evan Carter and manager Bruce Bochy became all-time playoff legends for Texas fans who waited more than 50 years for a title.

The Rangers commemorative edition is on sale now at https://orderprint.si.com/2023_world_series_commemorative for $15.99 plus shipping and handling.

Sports Illustrated Texas Rangers World Series Cover
Sports Illustrated's Texas Rangers World Series commemorative edition is on sale for $15.99 / Sports Illustrated

FOCO Releases Championship Merchandise

FOCO is releasing an officially licensed Texas Rangers World Series champions collection to celebrate beating the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night.

The collection includes home items, plush toys, accessories, bags, holiday ornaments, and collectable bobbleheads including Adolis Garcia, Corey Seager and Marcus Semien to name a few.

Check out the World Series collection here: https://foco.vegb.net/c/4324337/1852508/10075.

I’d also be happy to send you some gear from the collection for helping us out! I attached a few images of some of the gear we are offering and here is your affiliate link for our World Series collection: https://foco.vegb.net/c/4324337/1852508/10075 Please just wait to post until the Rangers win if you’re interested.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has shown a deft touch at handling his precarious bullpen through the postseason.

His bullpen blew 33 saves in the regular season — second most in MLB — so his moves have held massive significance during the team's playoff run.

In Tuesday's Game 4 World Series win, Bochy made a couple of moves that raised some eyebrows but paid off.

He limited Dane Dunning to only the sixth inning instead of letting him go another with the Rangers up big.

Bochy wanted to have Dunning available behind starter Nathan Eovaldi in Game 5 Wednesday with Texas one victory from claiming their first World Series title.

In the ninth, with the Rangers still holding a six-run lead, Bochy called on closer Jose Leclerc to get the final out with runners in scoring position. The D-Backs scored those runs to make it 11-7 but Leclerc closed the game with a foul out against the next batter.

Bochy said before Game 5 that he wanted to nip Arizona's rally in the bud then and there but preferred not to use Leclerc. Will Smith, who started the ninth, walked the leadoff batter and surrendered a single but then struck out the D-Backs' top two hitters Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll. 

That didn't matter to Bochy, who wanted Leclerc to face Gabriel Moreno and Christian Walker. Moreno drove in the two runs with a single to center but Leclerc got Walker to foul out near the Rangers' dugout to end the game. 

Texas Rangers Hosting World Series Watch Party

If you can’t get to Chase Field for Game 5 of the World Series, the next best thing might be heading down to Globe Life Field. The Texas Rangers are hosting a watch party for the final game in Phoenix, which starts at 7:03 p.m.

The Rangers lead the Arizona Diamondbacks three game to one, and need just one more win to claim the first World Series championship in franchise history. For $10, fans are welcome to watch the Rangers first-come, first-served general admission-style seating at Globe Life Field. Gates are set to open at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at rangers.com/watchparty, GlobeLifeField.com, or at the Southwest and North Entrance Ticket Offices on one hour prior to gates opening.

Parking is free in Tundra Lot B, Tacoma Lot R, and RAV4 Lot Q. Fans can enter/exit Globe Life Field using the Southwest or North Entrances.

A select number of concessions stands on the Main Concourse will be open as well as the Grand Slam Team Store, and fans will have an opportunity to win prizes throughout each game, including 2024 Rangers tickets, postseason merchandise, autographed memorabilia and more.

Andrew Heaney Delivers in Game 4

Andrew Heaney quietly put together exactly the kind of performance the Texas Rangers needed on the mound Tuesday night in Game 4.

The left-hander went five strong innings in a bullpen game, setting the tone as the Rangers won 11-7 to move within a win of the franchise’s first World Series title.

“I felt good,” Heaney said. “I was trying to do as much as I could.”

After starting most of the season, Heaney has moved into the bullpen. He struggled in his last start – Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros – but cruised at Chase Field. The Arizona Diamondbacks managed just one run on four hits, with Heaney striking out three.

Having the Rangers score five runs in both the second and third innings helped, too.

“Obviously, with 10 runs on the board it makes it lot easier to go out there and attack the strike zone,” Heaney said.

The Rangers send Nathan Eovaldi – who, like Heaney, is in his first season with Texas – to the hill for Game 5 on Wednesday night with a chance to make history.

“That’s what we want,” Heaney said. “He’s out guy. We have all the faith in the world in him.”

Fan Runs Onto Chase Field, Carried Off By Security

As the Arizona Diamondbacks were struggling to score runs in Game 4 of the World Series, one of the fans was struggling running across Chase Field.

In the fifth inning Tuesday night, play was momentarily stopped as a male spectator dressed in black and apparently recording the episode on his cellphone came on to the playing surface in left field and ran towards the hole at shortstop. He obviously had nothing better to do than leave the festivities early.

Stadium securing pounced quickly, picking up the perpetrator and carrying him off the field. The stadium address announcer reminded the crowd that fans are not allowed on the field of play and will be ejected.

The following warning was also sounded.

“You will be arrested and taken to jail.”

The Texas Rangers were leading 10-1 at the time of the interruption.

Seager, Semien Homer in Back-to-Back 5-Spots

The Texas Rangers made a habit of crooked numbers in the regular season. It’s continued in the playoffs.

Capped by another home run from Corey Seager, the Rangers racked up five runs in the second inning of Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Chase Field. Texas did their damage against three Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers – Joe Mantiply, Miguel Castro and Kyle Nelson – and batted around.

So what happened in the third? The Rangers rolled the D-backs for another five-spot and a 10-0 lead, with Marcus Semien cranking out a three-run blast.

Never before in World Series history had a team put together consecutive innings of at least five runs. The other 11 playoff teams combined for only two five-run innings in the rest of the the 2023 postseason combined.

Josh Jung got the second inning going with a leadoff double against Mantiply and was at third with two outs with Leody Taveras up. A wild pitch scored Jung. Taveras drew a walk and Travis Jankowski, who started in place of an injured Adolis García, singled off Castro.

Semien followed with a triple that bounced around the left-field corner to score two. Nelson came in and promptly gave up Seager’s third homer of the World Series to give Texas a 5-0 lead.

The Rangers scored three in the third inning Monday night and eventually won 3-1 to take a 2-1 series lead. Seager also had a two-run blast in Game 3.

Adolis Garcia Out for Game 4

Adolis García is not in the Texas Rangers starting lineup for Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Chase Field.

The American League Championship Series MVP was injured in Monday’s 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks that gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

García was taken out of the Game 3 in the eighth inning after flying out to center field. He immediately grabbed his back after the swing, with the Rangers calling the injury left side tightness.

He underwent an MRI exam, but the results have not been made public yet.

Travis Jankowski, who replaced García on Monday, is starting in right field and batting ninth in Game 4. Designated hitter Mitch Garver moved up to bat third, where García was for Game 3. Left fielder Evan Carter remained fourth with third baseman Josh Jung moving up to fifth.

First pitch is set for 7:03 p.m.

Two More Wins Needed, Two Key Players Down

The Texas Rangers are up 2-1 in the World Series and possibly down two big pieces.

The 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks got the Rangers halfway to the four wins needed to claim the franchise’s first championship, but it came with a cost. Max Scherzer (back tightness) and Adolis García (left side tightness) both left the game over the course of Monday night to injury.

“It’s tough. We’re a deep group,” Marcus Semien said. “We’ll see what happens with both of those guys. Adolis has been the heart and soul of our team. Hopefully it’s nothing too bad, but we’re a deep group. We’ve got some guys who haven’t been playing who are really good players, too.”

The Rangers hope to know more about Scherzer and García soon. García was set to undergo an MRI exam. Scherzer, who was dealing with back spasms, said he would know more after about 48 hours, which would be sometime Wednesday.

García was replaced by Travis Jankowski in right field. Jon Gray relieved Scherzer and threw three scoreless innings.

History Favors Game 3 Winner

With the Texas Rangers winning Game 3 by a final of 3-1, it marks the fourth straight World Series that has not had a team win back-to-back games within the first three games.

More notes after Game 3:

  • The Rangers are 5-9 all-time in Game 3 of a Postseason series, 3-3 in Game 3 of a best-of-seven series and 2-1 in Game 3 of the World Series.
  • The 2017 Houston Astros were the last team to go down 1-0 in the series and come back to take a 2-1 Series lead.
  • Teams who win Game 3 of the World Series have gone on to win the World Series 75 times (63.6%), including 12 of the last 23 years.
  • The Game 3 winner of World Series tied 1-1 has gone on to win 41 of 62 times (66.1%).
  • It is the 11th consecutive World Series that will not end in a sweep, with the last sweep coming by the San Francisco Giants in the 2012 World Series over the Detroit Tigers.
  • The 11th consecutive World Series without a sweep is the second-longest stretch in World Series history, behind a 12-year streak from 1977-1988 which saw no teams record a World Series sweep.

Adolis Garcia Leaves Game 3 Late With Injury

The Texas Rangers lost another big piece when Adolis García left in the eighth inning of Game 3 with left side tightness.

The Game 1 hero clutched at his back after flying out in the top of the frame against Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Luis Frias. The American League Championship Series MVP was 0-for-3 with a walk.

García, who threw out Christian Walker at home in the second inning, was replaced in right field by Travis Jankowski.

After the Rangers won 3-1 to take a 2-1 series lead, García was on his way for tests.

“Doli will get some diagnostics done [to] see where he’s at – left side tightness,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’re being optimistic there, but we’ll know more tomorrow.”

The Rangers also lost starter Max Scherzer after three innings with back tightness.

Semien, Seager Get Rangers Going Early in Game 3

The Texas Rangers struck first in the top of the third inning of Game 3, as Marcus Semien and Corey Seager came through with big hits off Arizona Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt.

Nathaniel Lowe led off the frame with a double and was at third with two outs when Semien came up for the second time in the game. The All-Star second baseman has struggled in the postseason, but Semien stroked the fourth pitch he saw into left-center to get Texas on the board 1-0.

Seager’s at-bat wasn’t nearly as long, drilling the first offering from the Arizona rookie 421 feet to right for a 3-0 lead. The All-Star shortstop has five homers during these playoffs and 18 in his postseason career.

Mad Max Undefeated All-Time Against D-backs

Max Scherzer enjoyed breaking into the Majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

He likes facing them even more.

The Game 3 starter for the Texas Rangers began his career with Arizona in 2008 and struck out seven Houston Astros in his first MLB appearance, going 4 1/3 innings in relief. Scherzer stayed with the Diamondbacks through the following season before being traded to the Detroit Tigers.

The D-backs might be regretting that deal, especially when facing Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has started 12 times against Arizona over his career and has yet to lose. He’s 9-0 with a 2.65 ERA.

Scherzer was making his third start of the postseason Monday night at Chase Field.

Chase Field Roof Open for Game 3

The Chase Field roof will be open for Game 3 of the World Series Monday night.

The official ballpark social media feed announced the decision, which was made by MLB officials in the postseason. The forecast for downtown Phoenix calls for clear skies and 76 degrees for the 5:03 p.m. local first pitch between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

"I know some [pitchers] have said when it's open the ball carries a little bit more," D-backs manager Tony Lovullo said. "As long as we know the landscape when we walk into the ballpark and nothing changes and no fast punches being thrown, whether we're at home or on the road, I'm fine with it."

Lovullo said the data shows that balls hit in the gaps or in the middle of the diamond, don't carry more.

"Even when it's open, it plays legit," he said.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is glad it's open.

"Baseball's meant to be played outdoors. So I'm good with it," Bochy said. "I know a lot of their pitchers did not like it opened. So it was closed for the most part, but mainly for weather more than anything. But it should be a beautiful night. I look forward to seeing it."

Chase Field's roof was closed for Games 3, 4 and 5 of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies. The last time it was open was Game 3 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Globe Life Field roof was closed for the first two games of the World Series in Arlington, where the teams split.

In 2001, the last time the World Series was played in Phoenix, the roof was open for Games 3, 4 and 5 when the D-backs hosted the New York Yankees. The stadium was known as Bank One Ballpark then.

Max Scherzer Living a Dream

Max Scherzer goes into Game 3 of the World Series for the Texas Rangers knowing he has to “match the moment.” The stage is bigger than any in baseball and, yet, it’s still just baseball.

The approach never changes.

“Execute pitches,” Scherzer said Sunday. “That’s what it’s about – locate the baseball, change the speeds, the stuff that’s been going on for 100 years. And that’s the formula to have success. It doesn’t really change. Even though the magnitude of the game is bigger, the formula is the exact same.”

But being in the Fall Classic again is a reminder of what made the game special. Scherzer is making his fourth career World Series start.

“This is what you dream of when you’re a kid,” he said. “When you’re a kid you dream of hitting in the World Series, pitching in the World Series. You watched your idols do this in all the big games, and to be able to live out your dreams.

“So for me, my third World Series, this is crazy to say it’s my third World Series, but here I have such another opportunity to live out my dream.”

Bruce Bochy's 'Cause' is Winning Title for Fans

The atmosphere for the first two games of the World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field has been electric. The Rangers hadn’t been in the World Series since 2011 and have yet to win a championship.

Texas last reached in the Fall Classic in 2011, falling in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Rangers also played for it all in 2010 and lost to the San Francisco Giants, who were managed by Bruce Bochy.

The first-year Texas skipper would love nothing more than to return the favor.

“Well, I hate to say I was, I guess, a little part of that,” Bochy said of the Rangers’ checkered World Series history. “It’s really amazing when you look at being in the World Series back-to-back years, that was impressive what they did there. And, of course, the second year you couldn’t have a tougher heartbreak than what they had to deal with, talking about the fans and here in Arlington and the whole area.

“So you always want to do it for the fans. You have a cause. It could be your players, everybody, but the fans are part of that, trust me, and I think about that. So nothing would make me happier. That’s part of the reason we’re playing.”

World Series Game 3 Winner Gets Historic Edge

The World Series is tied 1-1 for the fourth straight year, insuring that it will not end in sweep for the 11th year in a row.

The last Fall Classic to be 2-0 was 2019 by the Washington Nationals, who went on to win in seven games. The last sweep came in 2012, when Bruce Bochy’s San Francisco Giants blanked Max Scherzer’s Detroit Tigers 4-0.

Scherzer is starting Monday night’s Game 3 for the Texas Rangers at Chase Field in Phoenix. The Arizona Diamondbacks are going with Brandon Pfaadt.

This marks the 63rd time in 119 World Series to be tied 1-1. In the previous instances, the Game 3 winner has gone on to win the World Series 41 of 62 times (66.1%). Of the last four tied 1-1, the winner of the third game has won three (2017 Houston Astros, 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers and 2021 Atlanta Braves). The lone exception was the 2022 Philadelphia Phillies.

Over a longer span, teams win­ning Game 3 have won 19 out of the last 25 times since 1969. When looking an any best-of-seven postseason series tied 1-1, the Game 3 winner has gone on to win 68 of 99 (68.7%), according to MLB’s Sarah Langs.

Tommy Pham Called 'Dumb' Expletive by Mad Dog Maddux

Lucky for Texas Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux that he wasn’t mic’d up during Saturday night’s Game 2 of the World Series.

But if you can read lips, Maddux didn’t hide his expletive-enhanced delight when Arizona Diamondbacks DH Tommy Pham was picked off second base by Jordan Montgomery in the sixth inning.

Pham, who was taking a healthy lead, was caught leaning towards third base when Montgomery wheeled around and threw to shortstop Corey Seager. The tag was not close and the inning ended.

The FOX broadcast, before cutting away to commercial, caught Maddux on camera appearing to mouth the words, “Atta boy, you dumb [expletive]!”

Pham, however, got in the last word, going 4-for-4 with two runs scored in the D-backs’ 9-1 win. He also apparently took note of Maddux on X (formerly Twitter) with a, well, note-taking emoji.

Looks like there’s some virtual bulletin board material for Game 3 Monday night in Phoenix.

Banana Boy Returns with Banana Friends

The Banana Family has apparently grown.

“Banana Boy,” as he was dubbed on social media during the American League Championship Series, appeared to be back for Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night. And this time, he has company.

The teenager and Texas Rangers fan from San Antonio went viral during Game 4 of the ALCS for gesturing wildly in a suite behind home plate. The goal then for Christian Saenz, 13, was to distract Houston Astros pitchers wearing a banana costume bought for Halloween.

It looked like Christian recruited some accomplices to join to the shenanigans against the Arizona Diamondbacks, as three youngsters dressed up as the yellow fruit tried to throw starter Merrill Kelly off his game.

It did not work, as Kelly dominated in a 9-1 win that tied the World Series 1-1 heading to Phoenix. 

Much like the Astros game – which the Rangers also lost – the FOX cameras couldn’t avoid the fans going bananas. Literally.

Adrian Beltre, Texas Gov. Abbott Part of First Pitch

Texas Rangers legend Adrian Beltre threw out the first pitch for Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday night at Globe Life Field.

The longtime fan favorite, who’s up for Hall of Fame voting for the first time in January, delivered his throw to Ferguson Jenkins, a fellow Rangers Hall of Famer who’s already enshrined in Cooperstown.

The ovation for Beltre from the sellout crowd was thunderous. Not as much for Texas governor Greg Abbott, who handled ball to Beltre. The politician received a mixed reception, to put it kindly.

Former president George W. Bush threw out the first pitch in Game 1 to Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez to deafening applause.

Adolis Garcia Wants Walk-Off Homer

It is a moment that Texas Rangers fans will remember forever.

And Adolis Garcia would like to hold onto the memory.

The game-winning, walk-off home run in the 11th inning of Game 1 Friday night lifted the Rangers 6-5 over the Arizona Diamondbacks and Garcia into the history books.

The fan who caught the game-winning home run ball remains unknown, at least publicly. The Rangers haven't disclosed any plans to track down the ball, but their slugger would appreciate it.

"I would like to have the ball, honestly," Garcia said after Game 1. "But I don't know, really, what happened with it."

Max Scherzer Gets Ball For Game 3

Max Scherzer is the probable starter for the Texas Rangers for Game 3 of the World Series, manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday.

Scherzer started Game 7 of the AL Championship Series on Monday at the Houston Astros, throwing just 2 2/3 innings but only allowing two runs. 

Bochy said starting Scherzer "is the plan" as the Rangers prepare for Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday. After the game, the Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks head to Phoenix for Game 3 on Monday.

Bochy said during the pregame press conference that he felt Scherzer was "stretched out" and they had talked about him throwing longer than his first two starts since coming back from a shoulder injury before the ALCS.

The start would represent a full-circle moment for Scherzer, who broke in with Arizona in 2008 and was eventually traded to the Detroit Tigers after the 2009 season. 

Garcia OK after HBP

In the at-bat before Adolis García made postseason history – again – the Texas Rangers playoff savior was hit by a pitch on the left hand in ninth inning by Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald.

García was in obvious pain as he turned away from the plate and took several steps to gather himself. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy and a trainer came out to check on García, who obviously stayed in the game.

He would hit the game-winning, walk-off home run in the 11th inning to give the Rangers a 6-5 win and 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven World Series.

Asked about his hand after the game, García said: “It’s good. It feels good.”

So did watching Corey Seager tie the game earlier in the ninth.

“It was a very special moment when Corey Seager hit that home run in the ninth inning,” García said. “It was something everyone just started jumping for joy. We were able to exhale and we were just happy to celebrate that.”

García has hit homers in five consecutive postseason games, the second-longest streak in MLB history. The record is six my Daniel Murphy of the New York Mets in 2015.

How many more incredible moments can García have in this playoff run?

“I hope a lot of them,” he said.

Shaking it Off

Travis Kelce shook it off during Game 1 of the World Series.

Before the start of the eighth inning between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end made it back on the video board as Taylor Swift’s hit “Shake It Off” played to the delight of the record-sellout crowd of 42,472 at Globe Life Field.

The Kelce-Swift relationship has made headlines for weeks, so with the spotlight on the Super Bowl champion again, he had a little fun by doing a seated version of the “Shake It Off” dance with a smile a mile wide.

Swift has attended several Chiefs games but was nowhere to be seen in Arlington.

Former President, Travis Kelce at Game 1

George W. Bush bounced in the first pitch to Ivan “Pudge” Rodriquez and no one had a problem with it.

The decibel level at Globe Life Field even before the start of Game 1 of the World Series was already reaching peak levels. The rousing rendition of the national anthem by H.E.R. also moved what’s certain to be a record-sellout crowd.

But a surprised roar from the crowd bubbled up when Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce popped up on the video board before the start of the third inning. Kelce was, yes, without a certain pop icon next to him.

Perhaps Taylor Swift was in the building. She just was not in the shot.

Heaney Still Wants to Meet Creed

Texas Rangers pitcher Andrew Heaney helped start the team's clubhouse Creed obsession but he still hasn't met the band.

Members of the rock band were on hand for the Rangers' ALCS Game 3 against the Houston Astros last week to help fans singalong to the clubhouse anthem "Higher" on the video board. 

The members of the four-piece band from Florida were long gone after the game and Heaney never had a chance to meet them. Perhaps they'll make a return appearance in the World Series.

"I'm sure those guys have a lot on their plate. I was laughing, telling my wife that I feel bad I unintentionally dragged them into this," Heaney said.

From the footage shown on the telecast and all of the social media posts surrounding their Globe Life Field appearance, it appears they were having a great time. And enjoying a spike in sales and Spotify plays since the Rangers claimed them as an inspiration. 

"I hope so. It was cool," Heaney said.

Bruce Bochy Picked Right Time To Retire

If there was a good time to retire, Bruce Bochy picked it.

He left the game after the 2019 season, having led the San Francisco Giants to three World Series titles and securing his legacy as of the best managers of all-time.

So in his time away, did Bochy watch the World Series? And where did he watch from?

“I did. I watched it from my house,” he said just before the start of Game 1. “I just moved to Nashville, just south of Nashville, College Grove. That’s where I watched it.

“At that time, I’ll be honest, with all that was going on with the COVID and the bubbling of the players, wearing a mask, I said my timing was pretty good on this retirement deal,” he added with a laugh. “So I had no problem sitting in my home watching it, if I couldn’t be there.”

Well, he’s back in the Fall Classic with the Texas Rangers and watching from a much better seat.

Big Game Nate Eyes World Series Title For Texas

Game 1 starter Nathan Eovaldi is a Texas native, growing up in Alvin south of Houston.

He’s won a World Series before – with the Boston Red Sox – but being part of a potential championship in his home state would carry with it a special kind of special. That the Texas Rangers have never won the World Series isn’t lost on Eovaldi.

“That would mean the world,” he said. “It’s an amazing experience. Again, to be able to say you that were part of the first one, you kind of set the foundation for the years to come and you don’t really know what will happen after that.

“But for us to be able to say, ‘Hey, 2023, we were World Series champions,’ it means a lot and there’s a lot that goes into it and a lot of weight to it.”

Eovaldi is 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA during the run to the World Series. No pitcher in MLB history has won five starts in one postseason.

Getting the ball in the opener at Globe Life Field is also meaningful. He’s never made a World Series start.

“Fans have been amazing for us all year long,” Eovaldi said. “We’ve just got to continue to go out there and play our brand of baseball and get the job done.”

Rangers' Mitch Garver Doing Fine After Shot To Ribs

Texas Rangers designated hitter Mitch Garver said that a hitting session during Wednesday's workout at Globe Life Field went well as he recovers from being hit by a pitch in the Game 7 win over the Houston Astros in the ALCS.

X-rays of Garver's ribs revealed no fractures after the game. 

"The swing is fine," Garver said. "(The area) is just sensitive to the touch."

Getting hit by Astros reliever Bryan Abreu wasn't much fun.

"I probably would have yelled an expletive if I could have caught my breath, but I was grasping for air there and could not find it," Garver said.

Which expletives?

"All of them."

Garver took batting practice again Thursday as the Rangers made final preparations for the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Game 1 is Friday at 7:03 p.m. 

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said final determinations about the World Series roster will be made after Thursday's workout, but Garver's optimistic tone leads one to believe he'll be available. 

Rangers, Diamondbacks Head-To-Head History

The Texas Rangers are 28-25 (.528) all-time in 53 regular sea­son games against Arizona, the second-most lifetime meetings with the Dia­mondbacks among the 15 current American League teams. The Houston Astros, who used to be in the National League, have played Arizona 146 times.

Arizona has been Texas’ third-most common NL opponent since interleague play was first introduced in 1997 behind only Houston (91) and the Colorado Rockies (55). Since Houston joined the AL in 2013, Arizona (28) has been Texas’ second-most oft-faced NL opponent to only Colorado (33).

Texas (90-72) and Arizona (84-78) combined for 174 wins in the 2023 reg­ular season, the lowest combined win total ever in a World Series matchup following a full 162-game regular season.

The Rangers outscored their op­ponents 881-716 (+165) in the regular season, while the D-backs were outscored 746-761 (-15). That marks the largest gap in regular-season run differential for a World Series matchup since 1998 (195-run gap), when the New York Yankees (+309) faced the San Diego Padres (+114).

DBacks Planned Flight For DFW Before NLCS Game 7

Much like the Texas Rangers over the last month, the Arizona Diamondbacks have logged their share of frequent-flyer miles crisscrossing the country.

So when the Diamondbacks won the National League pennant Tuesday night by upsetting the Philadelphia Phillies, their flight plan didn’t include another trip back to Phoenix.

“Yeah, instead we’re going to make a left at Oklahoma and head straight south to Dallas,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said after the 4-2 win over the Phillies.

The D-backs stayed the night in Philadelphia and planned to have Wednesday off before beginning workouts in Arlington, not Dallas, on Thursday.

The World Series begins Friday night with the first of two games at Globe Life Field. The best-of-seven shifts to Phoenix for the next three (Game 5 if necessary) before returning to Arlington for Games 6 and 7 if needed.

Texas Rangers designated hitter/backup catcher Mitch Garver did not suffer a serious rib injury after being hit by a pitch in Monday’s Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, according to The Athletic.

Garver took a Bryan Abreu fastball to the ribs in the top of the sixth inning and left the eventual 11-4 win by Texas before his next at-bat. The Athletic reported that Garver did not have any fractures.

Garver’s status for Game 1 of the World Series on Friday is uncertain. The time off before the series begins in Arlington at Globe Life Field should obviously help.

In 11 postseason games, Garver has two home runs, two doubles and 11 RBI.

With the Texas Rangers closing out the Houston Astros and being crowned American League champions on Monday night, FOCO released two commemorative ALCS Champions Bobbleheads featuring series MVP Adolis García and the club mascot Rangers Captain.

The mascot bobblehead will feature the Rangers Captain in an action pose holding an ALCS Champions flag. He stands atop a thematic team base with his name displayed in front and an ALCS Champions backplate with the Rangers logo. This one will retail for $65.

The ALCS MVP bobblehead features García holding the ALCS trophy and wearing a Rangers ALCS Champions-themed t-shirt. They also stand atop a thematic team base with their name displayed in front and an ALCS Champions backplate with the team logo. This one will retail for $85.

Both will be limited to 144 units and stand at 8 inches tall, and are available here at FOCO.com.

The Rangers beat the defending champion Astros in seven games, capped by the 11-4 victory at Minute Maid Park. García had a record-breaking series on his way to the MVP, with five home runs – two in Game 7 – and 15 RBI.

Texas is headed to the World Series for the first time in 12 years and the third time overall. The Rangers will face either the Philadelphia Phillies or Arizona Diamondbacks, who play Game 7 of the NLCS on Tuesday night.

The World Series schedule starts Friday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The Rangers have the home-field advantage.

Winning World Series 'Means So Much'

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