Everything You Need To Know About the 2010 World Series

[If you're anything like us here at CollegeCandy HQ, you've been so busy making your Halloween costume and stuffing your face with candy corn that you missed the whole "World Series is happening" memo. Yeah, that thing, the most important series in baseball, is starting tonight. But don't worry; we reached out to our all-knowing sports fanatic dude to get all the deets.

By Candy

Below, everything you need to know about this year's World Series match-up. Read it, learn it, know it....then follow along and wow your boys with your impressive sports knowledge.]

When the World Series starts tonight most of America will be wondering where A-Rod and Derek Jeter are. No, folks, the New York Yankees aren’t back in the World Series trying for their 28th championship. Not interested? You’re not alone. The vast majority of this country won’t be paying attention to the World Series between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants. And it’s unfortunate. They’ll be missing two of the best teams in baseball with some of the top pitchers to come around in a while. And if you’re looking for juicy stories, this series may have some of the juiciest in a long time.

What is it: The Major League Baseball World Series features the winners of the American League and the winners of the National League in a best-of-seven games series to determine the world champion. Whichever team wins four games first, wins the series.

This year: The San Francisco Giants (NL winners) will play the Texas Rangers (AL winners). It’s the Giants’ third World Series appearance since moving to San Francisco from New York in 1958 (1989 and 2002 are the other two). It’s the Rangers’ first World Series appearance since it was founded in 1972.

About the Rangers: Texas lives and dies on its pitching, thanks in large part to new owner and former Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan. He went to an old-school mentality and trained his pitchers to throw more innings. It was widely ridiculed around baseball because teams invest so much money into their pitchers. But it worked. And when the Rangers traded for pitcher Cliff Lee, who has struck out 34 batters in the playoffs and walked just one, they became the team to beat in the American League.

But…

The Rangers also feature some of the best hitters in baseball in Josh Hamilton, Vladimir Guerrero, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young.

About the Giants: In the Year of the Pitcher, it’s hard to bet against Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, the 26-year-old two-time Cy Young winner (the award given to the best pitcher) with the long, shaggy hair. Just look at the guy; you’d think he’s covering a Led Zeppelin song before he’s starting a World Series game. But this series isn’t just about Lincecum or any other Giants pitcher. Giants such as rookie catcher Buster Posey, who is the front runner for NL Rookie of the Year, Aubrey Huff, Edgar Renteria, Juan Uribe, Pat Burrell and Aaron Rowand, are also worth watching.

The juicy gossip: Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton is a Hollywood-esque success story. After being the first pick in the 1999 MLB draft, Hamilton spiraled out of control starting in 2001, falling out of baseball while become a drug addict and alcoholic. He declared himself clean in October 2005 and started his road back to the majors in 2007. In March, it was reported that Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine during the 2009 season. Rangers’ management allowed him to keep his job and he rewarded them with the team’s first World Series.

Impress him with this: Alex Rodriguez used to play for the Rangers … Former President George W. Bush used to own the team … The Giants’ last World Series championship came in 1954 … Rangers catcher Bengie Molina will get a World Series ring regardless if Texas loses because he started the season on the Giants.

World Series schedule (All Games on Fox)

Game 1 — Wednesday
Texas at San Francisco, 7:57p.m. EST

Game 2 — Thursday
Texas at San Francisco, 7:57 p.m. EST

Game 3 — Saturday
San Francisco at Texas, 6:57 p.m. EST

Game 4 — Sunday
San Francisco at Texas, 8:20 p.m. EST

Game 5 — Monday (If necessary)
San Francisco at Texas, 7:57 p.m. EST

Game 6 — Nov. 3 (If necessary)
Texas at San Francisco, 7:57 p.m. EST

Game 7 — Nov. 4 (If necessary)
Texas at San Francisco, 7:57 p.m. EST

A very special thanks to our pal Josh for bringing us up to speed.