2023 World Series Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers

The FanGraphs Newsletter, October 26, 2023 [READ IN BROWSER]( October 26, 2023 The World Series. It’s a playoff-capping battle that’s so iconic that other sports and activities borrow its name. The World Series of Poker, of Darts, of Snooker, the FINA Marathon Swim World Series, even briefly the [World Series of Country Music Proudly Presents Stock Car Racing’s Entertainers of the Year]( – these events didn’t pick their name by accident, they’re basking in the glory of a long-running staple. Even as baseball matters less and less, the World Series is a big name on the marquee. One of the best parts of playoff baseball, at least in our eyes, is that the brightest stage isn’t exclusively the domain of the top couple of teams in the game. Sure, the Dodgers and Astros have been there a lot in the last decade. Sure, the Cardinals and Yankees have a bunch of rings. But baseball is a variance-rich sport, and the playoffs are short. Make the dance and you might end up one of the last few teams standing, even if your squad doesn’t have its own wing in Cooperstown. One obvious example? This year’s clash between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. [READ MORE]( [The Curious Case of Cristian Javier’s Fastball]( Cristian Javier's fastball looked fantastic in Game 7 but the Rangers were ready for it. | by Jake Mailhot [Kevin Ginkel Whips His Hair Back and Forth]( Kevin Ginkel likes to keep a very close eye on the runner at second base. It makes him a worse pitcher, but it also makes him really fun to watch. | by Davy Andrews [As the Rangers Thrive, Marcus Semien Continues To Struggle]( Semien hasn't looked like himself in the postseason, but the World Series will give him one more chance to turn things around. | by Leo Morgenstern [ALCS Managerial Report Card: Dusty Baker]( Baker's lineup decisions and bullpen management hurt the Astros in a tight ALCS loss. | by Ben Clemens [Max Scherzer Scuffled His Way Through the ALCS]( After returning from a teres major strain, the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer was hit hard in his two starts against Houston. | by Jay Jaffe 🎧 [Effectively Wild Episode 2076: Plunk Me Twice, Shame on You]( [DOWNLOAD THE FANGRAPHS APP]( [FanGraphs & Effectively Wild Merch Is Now Available at BreakingT!]( [ORDER HERE]( [Ranking every player in Rangers vs. Diamondbacks World Series]( by Kiley McDaniel, ESPN ($) [Globe Life has already lived many lives, but now is its time to shine]( by Anthony Castrovince, MLB [The new battle for the top of the zone — and how it’s showing up in this year’s playoffs]( by Eno Sarris, The Athletic ($) [50 Standouts For 2025, 2026 Classes From Jupiter]( by Ben Badler, Baseball America ($) [@fangraphs]( [FanGraphs]( [FanGraphs]( [RSS]( [FORWARD]( [SUBSCRIBE]( Copyright © 2023 FanGraphs Inc, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the FanGraphs Newsletter. Our mailing address is: FanGraphs Inc 1200 N Hartford St. Apt 312Arlington, Va 22201 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](