Arizona Diamondbacks Take Series Of Slights Into Surprise World Series Against Texas Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to rehash a sequence of slights before the World sequence began.

The Diamondbacks, overlooked by oddsmakers and insulted by analysts, have found themselves in a Surprise Series against the equally surprising Texas Rangers. But the mindsets couldn’t be more dissimilar ahead of the first game of Major League Baseball’s third all-wild card title battle on Friday night.

“We just put it on our list, keep those receipts, and walk around with a little bit more of a chip on our shoulder,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said on Thursday. “It provides you with a little more motivation.” And you take it when you can get a little bit more.”

Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald has become the receipt keeper, reminding teammates of their perceived disrespect.

“Perhaps I found screenshots that other people didn’t,” he explained, wearing a T-shirt that read “Snakes Alive.” “We took offense to that, and we’re excited that we’re here, and people are still not giving us that much credit here.”

The Diamondbacks are keenly monitoring what the public says, with MLB Network being a constant in the clubhouse. Meanwhile, the Rangers deny they are unconcerned.

The Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to rehash a sequence of slights before the World sequence began.

“We don’t listen to the outside noise all that much,” said second baseman Marcus Semien.

Zac Gallen, a 28-year-old right-hander coming off a career-high 17-win season, begins Game 1 for the Diamondbacks, who are in the World Series for the first time since defeating the New York Yankees in 2001. Texas’ starting pitcher is Nathan Eovaldi, a 33-year-old right-hander and two-time All-Star who has recovered from two Tommy John operations.

Gallen, who grew up in a Philadelphia suburb, tweeted after the pennant-winning Game 7 triumph over the Phillies to highlight the losing team’s spring training and to warn Philadelphia supporters to “make sure to get those tix for your next game.” When the Phillies were up 2-0 in the NLCS, backup catcher Garrett Stubbs mentioned celebrating in the Chase Field pool. Gallen replied to what he described as internet direct messages.

“I just figured if they want to talk junk to me, I’ll say one back,” he remarked. “And I feel like being from there, I knew how to hit them the hardest.”

Both teams worked out beneath a closed canopy at Globe Life Field on Thursday, where the World Series logo had just been freshly painted on the turf. Both teams are coming off 100-loss seasons, and the Diamondbacks might become only the second team to win the World Series with a negative run differential, following the Minnesota Twins in 1987.

Arizona finished the season 84-78, earning the NL’s sixth and final postseason berth, with the second-fewest victories for a Series champion, trailing only the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals’ 83. The Rangers finished 90-72, good for sixth place in the American League.

The Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to rehash a sequence of slights before the World sequence began.

Texas hasn’t won a championship since it began as the expansion Washington Senators in 1961, and the chances of a Diamondbacks-Rangers Series were 1,750 to 1 when betting for the 2023 season began.

“We weren’t concerned with what people thought of us,” said Rangers first-year manager Bruce Bochy, who led San Francisco to three championships from 2010 to 2014. “We thought we belonged and we thought we could win.”

Lovullo, ecstatic about his first World Series as a manager, began his news conference by taking a photo of the assembled media “just to break the ice.” He had a message for MLB Network’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who promised to “retire on the spot” if Arizona won the World Series.

“You’re not getting out of that one, Mad Dog. “You have to do something,” Lovullo stated. “I like Howard Stern’s idea of walking around Midtown Manhattan with a billboard proclaiming that I am whatever—a liar… for half a day.” That’ll do it for me, but I’m not going to forgive you unless you do something incredible, like show up here and apologise to the entire staff.”

The Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to rehash a sequence of slights before the World sequence began.

Eovaldi has a 4-0 record in the postseason. He was supposed to start Game 4 of the 2018 World Series for Boston, but instead relieved in the 12th inning of Game 3 and had a spectacular inning before giving up Max Muncy’s game-winning home run leading off the 18th for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I kind of had my moment there,” remarked Eovaldi. “Having Game 1, trying to set a tone for the team, there’s a lot of pressure with that, but also a lot of excitement.”

During the season, Arizona had the fewest errors in the big leagues (56), one fewer than Texas. During the postseason, the Diamondbacks have allowed three unearned runs, and the Rangers have allowed one.

Lovullo, who is in his seventh season as a major league manager, lavished accolades on Bochy, who is in his 26th. Lovullo recalls giving Bochy a present during his final season with the Giants in 2019.

“It’s been a privilege to manage against you. “I hope you find your way back to doing this one day,” Lovullo said, adding that Bochy added, “If I do, it will be an honor to manage against you as well.”

“I couldn’t believe he said that to me,” stated Lovullo. “I was simply honored to be in his company.” And I intend to remain for the following nine days.”

SOURCE – (AP)