HOUSTON — The Arizona Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series for the first time in 22 years by stunning the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in Game 7 of the NL Championship Series on Tuesday night.
A day earlier, Texas routed the Houston Astros 11-4 in Game 7 of the ALCS to punch their ticket for the Fall Classic as Adolis García homered twice and drove in five runs.
What is the World Series schedule? Where is the World Series?
The wild-card Rangers are assured home-field advantage in the World Series starting Friday, Oct. 27. The first game begins at 8:03 p.m. ET.
Full Schedule: (All times EDT):
Game 1, Friday, at Arlington, Texas, 8:03 p.m. (Fox)
Game 2, Saturday, at Arlington, Texas, 8:03 p.m. (Fox)
Game 3, Monday, Oct. 30, at Phoenix, 8:03 p.m. (Fox)
Game 4, Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Phoenix, 8:03 p.m. (Fox)
Game 5 (if necessary), Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Phoenix, 8:03 p.m. (Fox)
Game 6 (if necessary), Friday, Nov. 3, at Arlington, Texas, 8:03 p.m. (Fox)
Game 7 (if necessary), Saturday, Nov. 4, at Arlington, Texas, 8:03 p.m. (Fox)
Texas is 8-0 on the road in the postseason but has home-field advantage because it won 90 games to Arizona’s 84 — which could be the second-fewest for a World Series champion in a non-shortened season behind the St. Louis Cardinals’ 83 in 2006. The Diamondbacks split two games at Texas in May and swept a pair at home in August, including an 11-inning win on consecutive 11th-inning doubles by Perdomo and Tommy Pham off Will Smith. The Rangers hold a 28-25 in regular-season matchups.
“I think that the team, they’re just good at focusing or we’re good at focusing on the little things,” said García, the ALCS MVP. “We try to look at what we need to do, little things, to get that win or to just be successful. I think that’s really been key for us for having that success on the road, as well.”
Who are the betting favorites to win the World Series?
A Rangers-Diamondbacks matchup had 1,750 to 1 odds when wagering opened last fall.
The Rangers are the current betting favorites to win the World Series at -152 while the Diamondbacks are at +128, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
No repeat
Texas, one of six big league teams without a World Series title, reached the Fall Classic for the first time since consecutive trips in 2010 and 2011.
Houston's loss ensured the major leagues remain without a repeat champion since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees.
“This is a tough sport, a tough game. It’s a marathon,” said Dusty Baker, who managed the Astros to the 2022 title. “Nobody stays on top in this sport very long, and the Astros have been on top for quite a while.”
Leading the way
García homered for the fourth straight game and set a record for RBIs in a postseason series with 15. He had four hits and scored three times.
García's 20 RBIs are one shy of the postseason record set by David Freese, whose 2011 St. Louis Cardinals beat the Rangers in a seven-game World Series.
“He’s a bad man, isn’t he?” shortstop Corey Seager said. “To be able to come into this atmosphere and get booed every at-bat and do what we did was really special. It was really fun to watch.”
Impressive company
Bochy is trying for his fourth World Series title after winning with San Francisco in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Four championships would tie Walter Alston and Joe Torre for fourth-most behind Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel (seven each) and Connie Mack (five).
Bochy is tied at three with John McGraw, Miler Huggins, Sparky Anderson and Tony La Russa.
Every other manager with three or more is in the Hall of Fame.
What channel is the World Series on?
Fox will carry the World Series from Oct. 27-Nov. 4
