For all the marbles
How do you spell October? B*A*S*E*B*A*L*L.
Yes, it's that time again, time for the "boys of summer" to play for a place in history. The protagonists of this year's signature event are an unlikely pair - the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. But that's baseball, as unpredictable as it is endearing.
The "Snakes" finished the regular season with a pedestrian record of 84-78, well behind the glittery Los Angeles Dodgers. Their highest-paid player, lefty Madison Bumgarner, is not even on the team anymore. He and his 85 million dollar contract exited this past April after a series of disappointing performances. Not to worry, presumptive NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll filled the void, bringing hope to a club often languishing at the bottom of the standings.
The Texas Rangers were given a 1 in 170 chance of making the World Series this season, sporting a 90-72 record heading into the playoffs. Their last appearances in 2010 and 2011 both ended in defeat. Indeed they have never won the coveted Commissioner's Trophy, something All-Stars Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Josh Jung, John Heim, Nathan Eovaldi and Adolis Garcia hope to change.
Tune in tonight at 8:03 p.m. ET for the first pitch. Time to play ball!
"Baseball is an American Icon. It's the Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, 'In God We Trust,' Mount Rushmore, ice cream, apple pie, and hot dogs. Baseball is America." - Victor Baltov, Jr.
