World Series Matchup Has Everyone Feeling Bad For FOX Executives
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 28: Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. speaks to the media during a press conference prior to game four of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park on October 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
The Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies nearly set up a World Series rematch. Instead, the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to create an improbable Fall Classic matchup.
MLB has entertained those who love parity and drama this October. However, fans don't think FOX is happy with how the postseason has unfolded.
"Diamondbacks-Rangers World Series. Just like the execs at FOX drew it up!" Action Network's Darren Rovell said sarcastically.
"FOX execs currently asking if they can have a do over and keep [WWE] Smackdown on FOX and put World Series Game 1 on FS1 this Friday," a fan joked.
"If the World Series is Rangers-Diamondbacks, FOX is going to greenlight an emergency reboot of 24 where Jack Bauer has to stop the DSA from detonating a nuke," Jon Bois said.
"You can hear the FOX execs crying over this World Series matchup," a fan wrote.
Texas and Arizona respectively ranked 16th and 20th in average home attendance during the regular season. According to YouGov, the Rangers are MLB's 11th-most popular team while the Diamondbacks are 26th.
While the Astros and Phillies each roster considerable star power, Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is the only player in the matchup among this year's 20 highest-selling jerseys.
It doesn't help that Arizona snuck into the postseason with a middling 84-78 record and minus-15 run differential. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and teams that narrowly missed the postseason (Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres) are all likely better draws.
Yet perhaps all hope isn't lost for FOX. Only two World Series matchups have netted better ratings since the Rangers fell to the St. Louis Cardinals in a thrilling seven-game series in 2011.
Arizona hasn't made the World Series since blocking the New York Yankees from their fourth straight title in an epic 2001 showdown that went seven games. Maybe the Snakes have another classic up their sleeves.
A competitive, entertaining series could still draw viewers, especially those hungry for an underdog story. Just two years ago, Arizona (52- 110) and Texas (60-102) were among MLB's worst teams.
FOX will air Game 1 of the World Series this Friday at 8:03 p.m. ET.
