The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking on as the 2023 World Series matchup is locked in, with the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks meeting in the 119th Fall Classic.
A slew of former Dodgers anchor the Rangers roster, including Max Scherzer, Josh Sborz, Andrew Heaney, Nathan Eovaldi, and American League MVP candidate Corey Seager in the heart of their lineup.
During seven seasons with the Dodgers, Seager became a postseason staple in his six playoff runs with the team. From 2015-2021, he appeared in 61 playoff games, playing a key factor in the Dodgers’ 2020 World Series championship run.
Following the Rangers’ win over the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS, Seager said on the “MLB on Fox” postgame show with Kevin Burkhardt, Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez, that his past experiences with the Dodgers have a large role in his current success.
“It’s helped a ton,” Seager said. “Just being there, having the experience, knowing what can happen, even when you’re down, what can turn around. I’ve been down 3-1 in a series and came back and won. It’s a short series and anything can happen. We brought that to the table and we know what we can do.”
Seager has been a key part of the Rangers lineup, posting a 1.127 on-base plus slugging percentange with three home runs, five doubles, six RBI and 12 walks during the postseason thus far. Being down 3-2 against the Astros in the ALCS required Texas to play on the ropes, which elevated their collective performance as a team.
“Close-group team. That’s all that matters. You’ve got to come together at this time,” Seager said. “This team has been through a lot, and it’s just brought us closer. You need those moments and need to trust your guys, and we do.”
The Rangers locked Seager up by signing him to a 10-year, $325 million contract, which set a franchise record. That came on the heels of Seager being named MVP of the National League Championship Series and World Series to punctuate his impressive performance in the 2020 postseason.
Dodgers struggle to fill shortstop void after Corey Seager
The trade that brought Trea Turner and Scherzer to the Dodgers in the summer of 2021 provided them with one of the most talented infield combinations up in the middle in all of baseball.
Unfortunately, the Dodgers were significantly outbid by the Rangers for Seager in free agency. Figuring to roll with Turner as their main option, he would put up a terrific 2022 campaign before eventually going on to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies on a 10-year, $300 million contract.
That left the Dodgers relying on Gavin Lux, who suffered a torn ACL in Spring Training this year, which forced the front office to entrust Miguel Rojas as the primary starter.
Rojas is known for his glove, and without a clear outlook for Lux’s recovery, the Dodgers are still waiting to find their long-term answer at shortstop to effectively replace Seager.
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