Underdog Diamondbacks and Rangers Ignite Motivation in Surprising World Series Matchup
The stage is set for an unexpected clash as the underdog Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers gear up to face off in the World Series. Both teams have defied expectations and overcome adversity to reach this point, igniting a fire of motivation within their ranks.
The Diamondbacks, managed by Torey Lovullo, have been driven by a sense of disrespect. Lovullo expressed how they keep receipts of perceived slights and carry a chip on their shoulder. Closer Paul Sewald has taken on the role of keeper of the receipts, reminding his teammates of the lack of credit they have received. They are tracking public opinion closely, using MLB Network as a constant source of motivation.
On the other hand, the Rangers claim to ignore the outside noise and pay no attention to what the public says. Second baseman Marcus Semien emphasized their focus and determination to block out any distractions.
The opening game of the World Series will showcase Zac Gallen for the Diamondbacks and Nate Eovaldi for the Rangers. Gallen, a 28-year-old right-hander, is coming off a career-best 17-win season and will be pitching in the Series for the first time. Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, has overcome two Tommy John surgeries and will start for the Rangers.
Gallen, originally from a Philadelphia suburb, has added fuel to the fire by engaging with critics and rivals. After the Diamondbacks won the pennant against the Phillies, Gallen took to Twitter to remind the losing team about their early exit from the playoffs. He responded to online messages, hitting back at those who had negative things to say.
Both teams conducted their workouts with a closed roof at the Globe Life Field, where World Series logos were freshly painted on the turf. It is worth noting that both clubs have made significant turnarounds, as they were just two years removed from 100-loss seasons. The Diamondbacks have the chance to become only the second champion in history to have a negative run differential.
Arizona finished with an 84-78 record during the regular season, securing the National League’s final postseason berth. Their journey to the World Series is a testament to their resilience. The Rangers, with a 90-72 record, claimed the fifth slot in the American League and are ready to fight for their first title since the franchise’s inception in 1961.
This World Series matchup was not something many would have predicted, with odds of a Diamondbacks-Rangers clash at 1,750 to 1 when wagering for the 2023 season opened. However, both teams firmly believe in their abilities and brush off external opinions.
Torey Lovullo, thrilled to be managing in his first World Series, playfully called out MLB Network’s Chris Mad Dog Russo, who promised to retire if the Diamondbacks won the pennant. Lovullo demanded an extraordinary act from Russo to fulfill his end of the bargain, but stated that until then, forgiveness would not be granted.
Both Lovullo and Bruce Bochy, the Rangers’ first-year manager, expressed admiration for each other’s accomplishments. Bochy, who led the San Francisco Giants to three titles, commended Lovullo and conveyed his hope to see him back managing in the future.
As the World Series unfolds, these two teams will undoubtedly bring their A-game to the field. The Diamondbacks are fueled by a desire to prove their worth, while the Rangers exude confidence and a belief in their abilities. It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious and etch their names in baseball history. Both teams have worked tirelessly to reach this point, and the stage is set for an exciting and surprising World Series showdown.
