The Texas Rangers had a 68-94 record in 2022, even after spending $500 million on Corey Seager and Marcus Semien alone during that offseason.
That’s probably why virtually no one expected them to be one of the last two teams standing in the postseason.
On Monday, they won Game 7 of the American League Championship Series and are now returning to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2011.
An improvement over their 2022 performance was certainly within the realm of possibilities, since the Rangers added pitching to that core they signed in the 2021-22 offseason plus a manager with World Series pedigree in Bruce Bochy.
An American League pennant over the reigning World Series champs?
It’s certainly surprising.
Prior to the start of the season, the Rangers’ World Series odds were not particularly high.
“The Rangers had the 22nd-best opening odds to win the World Series before the season started, tied with the Tigers and Marlins,” MLB on FOX tweeted.
The Rangers had the 22nd-best opening odds to win the World Series before the season started, tied with the Tigers and Marlins pic.twitter.com/jecv52jwdR
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 24, 2023
Oddsmakers thought that 21 teams were more likely than the Rangers to win the Fall Classic.
Of course, they haven’t technically won it yet, but an appearance is already a huge accomplishment.
Those brave enough to place a bet on the Rangers winning it all have the potential to cash in big.
They still have to complete the feat: they are awaiting for the winner of the National League pennant, as the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies are set to play Game 7 of the Championship Series on Tuesday.
It’s a good time to be a Rangers fan, and it’s an even better time for those who placed bets on them winning the pennant.
The post The Rangers Truly Beat The Odds In 2023 appeared first on The Cold Wire.