World Series: 4 Things the Texas Rangers must do to beat Arizona

The Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks are preparing to engage in the most unlikely World Series matchup since the Atlanta Braves and the Minnesota Twins squared off in 1991. The Braves and Twins both went from last in their division in 1990 to the World Series in 1991. Texas in 2022 was fourth in the AL West and Arizona was fourth in the NL West. Now they are both getting ready to play for the championship. It really is a close matchup despite what their records and run differentials might say. Texas is still the favorite to win the series, but with just a few breaks Arizona can absolutely pull off the upset and extend Texas' championship drought. If Texas does these four things they will have a great chance to pop champagne one more time.

How can Texas win the World Series?

#1 Control Arizona's running game

This is not a football game breakdown between the Cowboys and Cardinals. Arizona is a team that relies on its ability to play small ball. One aspect of that is stealing bases. They love to run when they reach first base. They were second in all of baseball in stolen bases with 166. They were led by left fielder Corbin Carroll who had 54 on the season. If the runner can reach second safely the Diamondbacks are very good about getting hits and driving them in.

The responsibility to control the running game will not only fall to catcher Jonah Heim, but also every pitcher who comes into the game. The pitchers will have to be quicker to the plate to give Heim a shot to throw out any runners who do try to steal second or even third. Heim has to be accurate on his throws. Texas cannot afford for Heim to airmail second and give the Diamondback base runners third. That will almost always lead to a run being scored.