It has been the Postseason of the Wild Card teams. Three out of the four teams in the League Championship Series’ were Wild Card teams. Yet, the last time both teams in the World Series were Wild Cards was in 2014 between the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants. Both teams in this year’s Fall Classic lost over 100 games just two seasons ago. The last time the Arizona Diamondbacks were in the World Series was in 2001. One of the most memorable World Series matchups of all time. The last time the Texas Rangers were in the World Series was in 2011. Also another memorable matchup, but it wasn’t in the Rangers favor as they lost their second consecutive World Series. One team is looking for their first championship, while the other is going for their second. Both teams went the distance in the Championship Series. Let’s see if this World Series ends up going the same route.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers

Arizona is a team that was built for the future and that future has rapidly gotten to this point where they are on the cusp of winning another championship. Ketel Marte, the NLCS MVP, has batted .358 in 12 Postseason games. He has had a hit in every game so far and has consistently paced their lineup in crucial moments. Alek Thomas isn’t known for his power, but has hit 4 home runs in the Postseason. Gabriel Moreno is quickly becoming a star leading the D’Backs in RBI with 9 during the Postseason. Corbin Carroll was on a hot streak going into the NLCS. He cooled off for most of it, but had a fantastic performance in Game 7 that set the tone for the series clinching win. He’s a threat to get on base in any manner possible with a .396 on-base percentage. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had big hits in the NLCS and even though Christian Walker hasn’t been consistent at the plate, his 11 walks leads the team. Arizona’s pitching has been a roller coaster at times, but their bullpen found their groove in the NLCS. Closer Paul Sewald has saved 6 games in his 8 appearances having allowed only 3 hits. Ryan Thompson has been a clutch performer in his 8 games allowing only 3 runs in 10-2/3 innings pitched. Kevin Ginkel has proven to be a superb setup man allowing 0 runs and striking out 13 batters in 9 innings pitched in the Postseason. Merrill Kelly pitched a gem in Game 6 of the NLCS. He’s won two of his three starts in the Postseason for Arizona while allowing opposing batters to hit .153. Brandon Pfaadt didn’t get a win in his two NLCS starts, but his team won both of his starts, which included Game 7. If the Diamondbacks get the Cy Young version of their ace Zac Gallen in the World Series, they will be a tough team to beat.

It was a bit rocky at times for Texas, but they easily took care of the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles on their way to the ALCS. Houston had won three consecutive games at the Rangers home field to bring Texas to the brink of elimination. Yet, the Rangers won both Game 6 and 7 at Houston with relative ease. Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi had a lot to do with that. Boasting a 2.16 and 2.42 ERA respectively in the Postseason, they have been masterful for Texas’ rotation. Max Scherzer returned during the ALCS, but has struggled and he will be monitored closely going forward. The Rangers bullpen was exposed at times during the ALCS. However, Josh Sborz and Aroldis Chapman held it together when it mattered at the backend. They’ve combined to strikeout 11 batters while allowing only 2 runs on 7 hits in their 15 innings of work in the Postseason. Jose Leclerc has saved 3 games in his 10 appearances. He did get the loss in that crazy Game 5 of the ALCS. To his credit he shook that off to pitch well when they went back to Houston to finish the series. Texas’ lineup started to heat up at the end of the ALCS. Corey Seager hit 2 of his 3 Postseason home runs in the ALCS. Adolis Garcia batted .357 with 5 home runs and 15 RBI in the ALCS, easily winning the MVP award for the series. With Evan Carter, Josh Jung and Mitch Garver all contributing at key moments of their Postseason run, there aren’t many flaws up and down the lineup. Marcus Semien started to catch fire at the end of the ALCS. That could be a sign that his .192 Postseason batting average could be due for a needed boost.

Rangers in 6 games