The World Series begins Friday night, with the Texas Rangers taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks. In a series with direct and indirect Cincinnati Reds connections.

The Reds have a few things in common with the Rangers and D-Backs. All three teams had a resurgence in 2023. Not long after all endured recent 100 loss campaigns. The Reds concluded 2023 with a winning record. They were in contention for a playoff berth until the closing weekend. Arizona contended with the Reds in the homestretch of the season. In a wildcard race where the top three constantly shifted around in the standings.

Arizona lost a whopping 110 games in 2021. This year, Arizona finished the regular season with an 84-78 record. While the Reds finished this year 82-80. Texas finished the regular season with a 90-72 record. After losing 94 games last year and 102 in 2021.

The Reds won their respective season series against Arizona and Texas. Cincinnati was 4-3 this season against the Diamondbacks. While Cincinnati swept Texas in their lone series of the season. A three-game series in late April in Cincinnati. The series culminated with a walk off home run from Nick Senzel. A major highlight in his own 2023 resurgence. After battling various injuries throughout his career.

The Reds’ success against Texas was part of a strong year for Cincinnati in interleague play. Cincinnati had a 28-18 interleague record this year. Here is an area where the Reds contrast with the D-Backs and Rangers. Arizona goes into the World Series with a 21-25 interleague record. The D-Backs won three out of four against Texas earlier this year. Texas has a 22-24 interleague record this year. All in the first year where every Major League Baseball team played each other.

Rookies connect the World Series teams with the Reds in another way. Texas and Arizona have been given a boost by their rookies. Rangers’ rookies Josh Jung and Evan Carter have been key contributors to their success. While Arizona’s Corbin Carroll heads into the World Series as the favorite for National League MVP. An award Elly De La Cruz and his fellow Reds rookie Spencer Steer were considered contenders for. De La Cruz’s MLB debut coincided with Cincinnati surging into contention. The Reds started surging in late May, De La Cruz debuted in June and the team roared until mid-July.

Cincinnati’s 2023 success on the road compares and contrasts with the World Series teams. The Reds were better on the road than they were at home. While the opposite was the case for Arizona and Texas in the regular season. Texas is undefeated on the road this postseason. Arizona is 6-2 on the road during this postseason.

There are two notable player connections between the Reds and the World Series teams. Arizona outfielder Tommy Pham and Texas relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman previously played for Cincinnati. Chapman made his major league debut with the Reds in 2010. He was a key contributor to the Reds’ 2010, 2012 and 2013 postseason teams. Four of Chapman’s seven All-Star Game appearances have been with the Reds.

Chapman joined Texas after starting this season with the Kansas City Royals. This year’s World Series will be the second of Chapman’s career. He was the closer for the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 world championship team. Chapman isn’t quite the dominant pitcher with Texas that he was with Cincinnati. He has struggled at times throughout this postseason. In this postseason, Chapman has given up five hits and one earned run. His four postseason walks match his postseason strikeout total.

Tommy Pham spent part of last season with the Reds. The left fielder played in 91 games with the Reds. Since playing for Cincinnati, Pham has played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and now Arizona. Pham has collectively played for seven MLB teams in his ten-year career. Providing a relatively young Arizona lineup with veteran experience.

Ultimately, this year’s World Series matchup is one few expected when this season began. Both teams advanced through upsets after qualifying as wildcard teams. Texas and Arizona’s rise boosts the expectations for the Reds. Providing a challenge for the Reds to meet higher expectations. After they spent this year exceeding the expectations many had for them.