The Texas Rangers are again at Globe Life Area Thursday evening for his or her 2024 dwelling opener towards the Chicago Cubs — their first ever Opening Day as World Collection champions.
The 2023 playoff season marked the start of a profitable streak for the Rangers after they beat the Houston Astros within the American League Championship Collection. The Rangers continued to shock the baseball world after they beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 in November.
Group supervisor Bruce Bochy advised reporters forward of Thursday’s recreation he reminded the gamers to get pleasure from that victory.
“Yeah, we received to prepare for the sport, however it is a particular time,” he stated. “Not simply tonight, however subsequent recreation after they get their rings. Actually soak it in, as a result of it is so exhausting to do.”
North Texas followers are nonetheless giddy from that win. Tailgaters lined up in tents exterior Globe Life Area Thursday afternoon with hats, shirts, necklaces and beer koozies bearing the World Collection Champion markers proudly. Some stated they arrived as early as 8 a.m. simply to snag a spot on the grass.
This was Grapevine resident Laura Reta’s fifteenth straight yr tailgating for a Rangers dwelling opener and the third together with her dad and mom. As a lifelong fan, she stated the World Collection win was surreal.
“There’s been years the place we haven’t had nice seasons,” Reta stated. “However, , we see the camaraderie with them and the way a lot they love the followers, and we love them simply as a lot.”
General, the Rangers are 24-28 in season openers, and the workforce has received as many video games as its misplaced at Globe Life Area. That is the second time the Rangers are taking part in the Cubs of their dwelling opener, beforehand dropping to Chicago in 2019.
This new season has Rangers followers questioning whether or not they can’t solely return to the World Collection, however to win it once more. Texas has been shut earlier than — the workforce made it to the World Collection in 2010 and 2011, dropping each occasions.
If the Rangers win this yr, they might change into the primary Main League Baseball workforce to win back-to-back World Collection because the New York Yankees, who received three straight championships in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Arlington resident Mike Lara stated he received $8,000 when he took an opportunity and wager on the Rangers profitable the World Collection final yr. He feels assured the workforce can do it once more — regardless that they’re down a number of pitchers.
“If our offense can simply do sufficient to maintain us the place we must be in hanging distance when these pitchers come again in June or July, I believe we’ll have an awesome path to get again the place we had been,” Lara stated.
Among the many crowd of Rangers followers was a lone tent decked out in Chicago Cubs memorabilia. Marissa Lopez of Dallas — initially from Chicago — stated she had been there since 9:30 a.m. together with her household.
The Chicago Cubs are three-time World Collection champions, however it’s been nearly eight years since their final, which ended a 108-year World Collection drought.
As she ready peppers and onions to go on prime of scorching canine whereas her husband grilled behind her, Lopez stated she had but to expertise any dangerous blood from Rangers followers.
“It’s opening day, which is thrilling for everyone,” Lopez stated. “Crucial half is bringing our household out, having an excellent time and having fun with the sport.”
Globe Life Area will cling the workforce’s 2023 World Collection Championship banner for the primary time in historical past close to the correct discipline video board. The Rangers may also obtain their Commissioner’s Trophy on the sector.
First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Central Time. The sport will broadcast nationally on ESPN.
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