PHOENIX — Championship teams win on the road, of course, it's part of the gauntlet they must endure.
This is especially true for Wild Card teams such as the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, who will meet for a pivotal Game 3 of the World Series at 7:03 p.m. M-1onday at Chase Field in Phoenix. The best-of-seven series is tied at 1-1 after the teams split in Arlington.
For the Rangers, the road has been a secret weapon. They're 8-0 on the road this postseason. The team's road success was a major topic of questions from media Sunday evening before the team took batting practice at Chase Field.
"That is unbelievable to win eight playoff games on the road," Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien said, almost surprised to be reminded of the fact. "We have a good team. It seems like in the playoffs we've kicked it up a notch."
Yes, the Rangers do have a good team, even better than their 90-win regular season would indicate. The Rangers were a respectable 40-41 on the road during the regular season.
To win their first World Series title, the Rangers will need to keep road stretch running, at least for one night. One win in Phoenix ensures the series returns to Arlington for Game 6 on Friday.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy admitted the 8-0 road record is hard to explain.
"It's always a great sign, I think, that guys are staying focused on the road," he said. "Sometimes on the road, do you spend more time together. I know you do. And that can bring a team together and just build that chemistry you love about a club. And sometimes that happens on the road with the travel and staying at a hotel and coming to the ballpark."
This Rangers team has nearly as many postseason road wins than the entire franchise had before these playoffs. Texas was 12-13 all-time on the road in the postseason in 2023. The Rangers won their first ever playoff game on the road at Yankees Stadium in 1996 and lost their next five on the road.
The tide started to turn, however, when the Rangers won their first ever postseason series with three road wins at Tampa Bay in the 2010 ALDS. But during the Rangers' two World Series runs in 2010 and 2011, Texas went a combined 1-5 on the road at San Francisco and St. Louis.
Rangers designated hitter and catcher Mitch Garver admitted he was tired of answering questions on the topic. No one has a great reason for the run.
"I don't know. It could be a coincidence," he said. "Nobody can put their finger on it."
One theory suggested by the media: The time together, away from home helps them focus or clear their heads.
"We do spend a lot of time together, there's something about being on the road that, maybe makes us play better," Garver said. "Maybe it's hitting in the first inning, leading off the game, and scoring a few runs early, that might help too."
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