Special Edition
 | Powered by  Edition #909 October 27 |
From The Gist Team |
Us again!
After three thrilling and unpredictable rounds of postseason baseball, the 119th World Series begins tonight when the American League (AL) champion Texas Rangers host the National League (NL) champ Arizona Diamondbacks.
- So, before the first batter steps to the plate, here's everything you need to know about the Fall Classic. Let's play ball.
Share
Quote of the Day |
 | We didn't come across [the] country to get our ass kicked. |
 | — Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, ahead of his team's World Series appearance–clinching pair of road wins in the NL Championship Series earlier this week. Walking that talk. |
The Breakdown |
⬅️ The road to the World Series
The Rangers and Diamondbacks are the last ones standing from the 12-team MLB playoff field, and both Wild Card (WC) squads knocked off juggernauts to make it this far.
- Texas swept the Tampa Bay Rays in the best-of-three WC, then did the same to the Baltimore Orioles — the best regular-season AL team — in the best-of-five Divisional Series (DS), before bouncing the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros from the AL Championship Series after seven games.
As for the DBacks, they barely slithered into the postseason, but have made the most of their unlikely berth. Arizona swept their WC series vs. the Milwaukee Brewers and their NLDS against the high-powered LA Dodgers, then outlasted arguably the hottest team in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies, in the NLCS. Snakes alive, baby.
👊 The matchup
It's downright improbable that these squads made the Fall Classic. In fact, this is just the third World Series in MLB history to feature two WC squads. Plus, the combined 174 regular-season wins between them is the fewest in a World Series matchup ever. Expect the unexpected, right?
As for their head-to-head record, the DBacks and Rangers met four times this year, with Arizona taking three of those contests. But the battles were close — games were decided by less than three runs on average, and one even required extra innings. TL;DR? This is going to be good.
🤠 Texas Rangers
The storylines: You don't go from 100+ losses to the World Series in two seasons without making major changes. Texas executed a series of massive moves to reach the game's biggest stage, including signing star shortstop Corey Seager during the 2021 offseason, luring three-time champ manager Bruce Bochy out of retirement, and trading for pitcher Max Scherzer at this year's deadline.
- This squad also embodied a "no pressure, no diamonds" mentality, overcoming a season-ending injury to top hurler Jacob deGrom.
Players to watch: Who else but ALCS MVP Adolis García, the Rangers' right fielder. El Bombi blasted five homers in the final four games of the Astros series, notching a postseason record-setting 15 total RBI across the ALCS. Beyond locked in.
- And on the bump, Texas boasts a dynamic duo of lockdown hurlers with Game 1 starter "Big Game Nate" Eovaldi and southpaw Jordan Montgomery.
Key to success: Consistency. As evidenced by their rough 4-16 midseason slump, the lows can be quite low for this squad. But now that they've taken things "Higher," they'll need to maintain that level of play when the lights shine the brightest.
⚾ Recipe for success
Is your World Series watch party prepped? Whether you're catching tonight's Game 1 with just a few friends or throwing an absolute banger, a few crucial ingredients will make it a home run:
- Baseball-inspired snacks. Cracker Jacks? Check. Hot dogs? Obviously. Donut popcorn milkshake? Sure, why not.
- FOX on the big screen. Seems obvious, but double-check you can access that channel before your pals are in your living room.
- Corona Premier. It's MLB's official light cerveza for a reason — that signature taste keeps summer vibes rolling through fall and beyond.
No matter how you're following the Fall Classic, keep some cold Corona Premier on hand. It's smoother than the nightly highlight reel and as crisp as a late-October day at the ballpark.
🐍 Arizona Diamondbacks
The storylines: Hey, look at them. From posting a negative (!!!) regular-season run differential, to a dismal 16-34 stretch, to a brutal gauntlet of postseason opponents, no one had the DBacks advancing to the Fall Classic — their first since they won it all in 2001.
- Yet here they are, thanks in large part to their "find a way to win" mindset. Whether through small ball or an unexpected hero stepping up, these Snakes just keep on hissing.
Players to watch: Continuing their unconventional pattern, Arizona's run hasn't been led by any one player. That said, second baseman (and NLCS MVP) Ketel Marte has been as steady as they come, and enters the World Series on a record-setting 16-game postseason hitting streak.
- The other name to know? NL Rookie of the Year favorite Corbin Carroll. The outfielder slumped a bit in October, but can change the game with his speed and awe-inspiring defense. This kid is certainly alright.
Key to success: Keep games close, which they've done all postseason long. If their starting hurlers — namely, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly — can hold the Rangers' offense at bay, the DBacks can certainly manufacture enough runs to slither away with the ultimate upset — and the Commissioner's Trophy.
📺 How to tune in
First pitch for tonight's Game 1 is a very precise 8:05 p.m. ET. Catch all of the action on Fox in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada. And if this series goes the full seven games (fingers crossed), the winner will be crowned on November 4th.
- So, bundle up and buckle up: The Fall Classic is just getting started.
The 2023 MLB season may be rounding third, but it can live on in your heart…and on your taste buds. With one sip of Corona Premier — pro baseball's favorite bev — you'll be instantly transported back to chill days in the bleachers with your buds. Crack one open whenever you're missing those Shohei Ohtani highlight reels.
The GIST's Picks |
Peep our squad's MVPs (Most Valuable Picks):
🛍️ Where to shop
Baseballism, the official lifestyle brand of baseball. One of our faves? Their ice cream sundae helmet tees. Too cute.
📺 Who to invite to your World Series watch party
The friend who always brings Corona Premier. It's Corona's iconic light cerveza — and it pairs perfectly with baseball's biggest party.*
🌮 What to snack on
A free taco…hopefully. If any player steals a base during the World Series, he'll also steal a free Taco Bell taco for everyone in the U.S. A delicious win-win.
*P.S. This is a sponsored post. Get your sip on.
Fun and Games |
Take Your Pick | ||
 | At |  |
Arizona Diamondbacks | Texas Rangers | |
| +142 | To Win | -168 |
| Now that we have the last two teams standing, who's your pick to win the opening game of tonight's Fall Classic (2023 version)? Choose your winner below and we'll see you at the first pitch. | ||
Arizona DiamondbacksTexas Rangers | ||
Sports Betting Guide | ||
Share The Gist |
Enjoying The GIST? We thought you might be. And we'd love for you to share the love. It would mean so much to us if forwarded this email to someone who you think would dig The GIST just as much as you do. Appreciate you!
Subscribe
 | Subscribe | ||||
|
Today's email was brought to you by Lauren Tuiskula. Editing by Janine Kiefer. Fact-checking by Annie Chan. Operations by Marga Sison. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Lauren Tuiskula, and Dee Lab. Managing edits by Dee Lab. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.
| You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the GIST at our website: https://www.thegistsports.com | You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. |
View the web version of this email.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment