World Series Game 2 preview: How can the Texas Rangers take a commanding series lead?
After an epic come-from-behind win in Game 1 of the World Series last night, let's take a look at what the Rangers will need to do to get to 2-0 tonight.
![World Series - Arizona Diamondbacks v Texas Rangers - Game One](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4058,h_2282,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/132/01hdtab47wv1erk5feby.jpg)
Last night's Texas Rangers walk-off home run in the 11th inning from Adolis Garcia felt like a postseason curse was lifted off the franchise. When everything looked bleak in the bottom of the ninth, Corey Seager launched a no-doubter over the right field wall to tie the game to send it to extra innings.
While it's nice to have a 1-0 lead in the World Series, a commanding 2-0 lead is even better. The Rangers can do that tonight if they take care of the Diamondbacks at home. Let's take a look at three things that the Rangers need to do in order to take a commanding 2-0 lead over Arizona.
The Texas Rangers don't need to leave players in scoring position
One of the things that the Rangers need to do in order to win Game 2 tonight, is not to leave players in scoring position. The Rangers left 12 players on base against the Diamondbacks last night. If they want to take the Diamondbacks out of the game, they need to get hits to bring in the baserunners.
I'm not telling the Rangers to be perfect and leave zero runners on base. With the way the game is played in the playoffs, you can expect to leave some runners on base. The Rangers simply need to improve on this stat tonight considering the fact they could have a nice series lead going to Arizona.
Rangers pitchers need to limit the Dbacks leadoff hitters from reaching base
One thing I noticed while watching the game last night was the ability of the Diamondbacks to score when their leadoff hitter gets on base to begin an inning. The Diamondbacks can hurt you with their great small-ball offense. The Diamondbacks have 20 successful stolen bases this postseason going into tonight's game.
They have so many fast players on their roster, such as outfielder Corbin Carroll who can steal bases. They had four stolen bases last night which is the most that the Rangers have given up in a while. If the Rangers can limit the amount of steals that the Diamondbacks attempt tonight, it could lead them to that 2-0 commanding series lead.
Texas Rangers will look to score early again tonight
The Rangers did a very good job of jumping on the Diamondbacks in the first inning and taking the early lead in Game 1 last night. If they want to take that commanding 2-0 lead to Arizona on Sunday, they have to attack early and make sure they get out in front.
If you watched Game 7 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros, you see how effective it was to take the early lead and add on to it as the game went along. I'm not expecting the Rangers to drop 11 runs on the Diamondbacks like they did on the Astros, but it would be nice. If the Rangers can get control of the game early, I like their chances of a 2-0 series lead when they travel to Arizona tomorrow.