The Fall Classic is set to begin on Friday, and this is a matchup that no one would have predicted when the season began. It will be the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers squaring off in this best-of-seven series in what is a highly-anticipated matchup.
Arizona is the biggest surprise team in this matchup, as they have pulled off three straight upsets in order to get to this point. The Diamondbacks just rallied from a 3-2 deficit to stun the Philadelphia Phillies and advance to the World Series.
The Texas Rangers had a late-season collapse that cost them the AL West Division title, but they were able to get back on track in the playoffs. Texas got past the Houston Astros in the ALCS in a series in which the road team won every game.
The Texas Rangers are moneyline betting favorites at -170 over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the World Series.
Diamondbacks Doing it With Pitching
The Arizona Diamondbacks are going to try to win this game on the mound, and it’s going to start with Zac Gallen in Game 1. Gallen has been hit around a bit so far in the postseason, but he was 17-9 during the regular season.
Arizona has also been getting some great work from the bullpen throughout the playoffs, and that is going to be a big key as well. While the Diamondbacks want to control this game on the mound, the offense needs to show up as well.
Ketel Marte has been a major spark for the Diamondbacks in the playoffs, and he was named MVP of the NLCS. Corbin Carroll sets the tone at the top of the lineup for the Diamondbacks, and he will need to get on base and use his legs to create some chaos.
Rangers Rolling on Offense
The Texas Rangers were the best offensive team in the American League during the season, and that trend has continued in the postseason. Texas scored 20 total runs in the last two games of the ALCS, and they are coming into this series with momentum.
Adolis Garcia was the MVP of the ALCS, and he seemingly put the Rangers on his back in that series. Corey Seager also sets the tone at the top of the lineup, and he will need to play well to win this game.
Nathan Eovaldi will start for the Rangers in Game 1, and he has gone 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA so far in the playoffs. Texas wants to score runs, but they also have the ability to shut down any opponent.
Texas Takes Game One
The Rangers are clearly the favorites to win this series, but overlooking the Diamondbacks would be a major mistake. Arizona has a terrific starting pitcher on the mound in the series opener, and Gallen will be able to slow down the Rangers offense a bit.
The problem for the Diamondbacks is that they don’t always score enough runs, and that is going to create some issues in this game. Texas is eventually going to find a way to break through, and they will have a great pitcher of their own pitching in this game.
Bet on the Texas Rangers moneyline at -170 as they win the first game of the 2023 World Series.
