The Least-Watched World Series Ever? 👀

11/01/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Rangers Wreck Diamondbacks in Game 4 (11-7), Texas on the Brink of 1st World Series Title… But Is Anyone Watching?

All but certain! The least-watched World Series of all-time just got a little less interesting after Game 4 on Tuesday. The Rangers hung 10 runs on the Diamondbacks in the first three innings, effectively demoralizing Arizona, but the D-Backs fought back with runs in the 8th and 9th to make the scoreboard respectable. The 2023 Fall Classic is on pace to be the least-viewed World Series in the history of television. Saturday’s Game 2 was the least-watched World Series game ever with an average of 8.15 million viewers. Game 3 was worse, reaching just 8.13 million on Monday as it competed with Monday Night Football and everything else in the ‘Sports Equinox’.

It’s neither team’s fault, but this is far from a Dodgers-Astros clash. We stated in past newsletters that the Rangers (AL 5-seed) and Diamondbacks (NL 6-seed) are the lowest combined seeds to meet in the Fall Classic. An overlap with Halloween weekend and so many other sports to watch could be a better, full-picture explanation for the dip in viewership, rather than simply saying “baseball is in decline.” Or, both statements can be true, simultaneously.

Game 4 Rewind: Texas took over in a flash in Game 4, and that could lead to an even lower viewer rating when Tuesday’s numbers come out. Arizona made things a little intriguing down the stretch. The Rangers jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Corey Seager went yard again. Marcus Semien and Jonah Heim did, too. Josh Jung (3-for-4) was the most efficient Texas batter, and lefty Andrew Heaney (5 IP, 3 Ks, 4 Hits, 1 Run) got the win. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a three-run homer for the D-Backs in the 8th to add some runs. Arizona plated two more in the 9th, but it was too little too late. It’s 3-1 Rangers, and the first World Series title in franchise history is just one win away.

Road Rangers, Continued: Make it 10 straight road wins (perfect 10-0) in these playoffs for Texas. The Rangers have outscored host teams by a score of 66-28 on the road in October.

Arizona’s Last Chance: After the Rangers removed Max Scherzer and Adolis Garcia from their World Series roster following injuries in Game 3, the D-Backs might’ve had a sliver of hope for the rest of the series. Game 4 was ugly, but we saw Arizona make some noise late. They also went into Philly and won two road games to upset the Phillies in the NLCS. There’s still a chance.

Watch: Rangers Roll D-Backs in Game 4 Blowout (11-7)

TEX Leads World Series (3-1)

World Series Schedule

Gm 5: Rangers at D-Backs (Wed, 8:03 pm ET, FOX)

Gm 6: D-Backs at Rangers (Fri. 8:03 pm ET, FOX)

Gm 7: D-Backs at Rangers (Sat. 8:03 pm ET, FOX)

USA Today: Rangers Crush Diamondbacks in Game 4, Now 1 Win From 1st World Series

SI: Rangers, Seager, Semien 1 Win Away From Completing Their Shared Vision

Photo: Christian Peterson / Getty Images