For several weeks, the 2023 series have been underway.
And if it started off more slowly in terms of suspense, let’s say that the Astros, the Rangers, the Phillies and the Diamondbacks spiced it up.
After all, both championship series ended in seven games.
After six sweeps and two more series that didn’t make it to the limit, the suspense was appreciated for ball fans.
Obviously, a Diamondbacks vs. Rangers World Series wasn’t the most popular prediction among bookmakers, but it happened.
The two clubs, which did not have home advantage in the championship series (before either, in fact), still came back from 3-2 behind in their respective series.
And they did it on the road for games #6 and #7.
Both teams have a similar history in that they are 9-3 and all three losses came in the championship series. Eight of the 12 games took place on the road, in fact.
Note that it is the Rangers who have home field advantage for the World Series, which begins Friday evening at 8 p.m.
All matches will take place at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. And with the dial, they do not systematically end at midnight as in the past.
As we have done several times since the start of the series, here is a summary of the strengths of the two teams involved.
So much the better if it can help you predict the outcome of the World Series…
Starting pitchers
The Texas Rangers will send out Nathan Eovaldi, who is always good in the playoffs, in the first game. He will face Zac Gallen, who is excellent… but not for a few weeks. And not on Twitter, let’s say.
Merrill Kelly will be the Diamondbacks’ starter for Game #2 and we must assume that Jordan Montgomery will be the Rangers’ pitcher.
On paper, this is undoubtedly the closest duel.
Then, Brandon Pfaadt (a revelation in the playoffs) and Max Scherzer should logically cross swords in match #3. The latter is not a shadow of himself in the playoffs and he has a sore thumb.
Both teams therefore have two trusted starters at the moment. Gallen is currently ahead of Scherzer, in my opinion… but because the Rangers can start strong, I give them the edge.
Expect a bullpen day during duel #4. And unless a club faces elimination, no real starters should be used.
Relievers
In both cases, there are not many quality relievers. No one has a bullpen that is crazy full of resources, but there are some good elements nonetheless.
The Diamondbacks have a duo of Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald (in the eighth and ninth innings respectively) that is literally untouchable.
When I say that, it’s not a way of speaking: it’s true. Both guys have a 0.00 ERA in eight outings.
My colleague Félix Forget summed up the situation with Sewald well: he’s going to throw you a fast one at 92 MPH right in the heart of home plate… and you’re going to look like an amateur.
Ryan Thompson is another reliever who has the trust of his manager.
Joe Mantiply and Andrew Saalfrank are also guys who come in to throw often, but they’re starting to run out of steam. Will the break do any good?
Among the Rangers, there are also several relievers who are not extraordinary, but it should still be mentioned that the trio in the last three innings is good.
Since the start of the series, in order, Bruce Bochy has not hesitated to use Josh Sborz, Aroldis Chapman and Jose Leclerc to end the match.
That said, because Chapman is still close to exploding and because Jose Leclerc showed signs of slowing down against the Astros, I like the DBacks duo better.
If Arizona’s pitching staff throws like they should, it will be tough to stop.
Hitters
Currently, with the Rangers, there is Adolis Garcia… and the others.
Since the start of the playoffs, he has decided that he wants to become Barry Bonds and it is producing incredible results for the MVP of the American Championship Series.
The rest of the Rangers offense also forces us to put them in front of the Diamondbacks. Corey Seager, Evan Carter, Josh Jung and Mitch Garver are dominant.
If Marcus Semien could wake up, that would be even better.
But don’t think that Arizona has nothing to offer. Ketel Marte, the MVP of the National Championship Series, and Corbin Carroll are having good series in general.
It’s the same for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno.
Alek Thomas, Geraldo Perdomo and (to some extent) Evan Longoria, who is back in the World Series for the first time in 15 years, are also doing well.
If Tommy Pham and Christian Walker could stand up, that would be even better.
Defensive
Both teams have a young receiver who is capable of getting the job done. It’s a good starting point in a series, that.
I will give the advantage to Rangers because the stability in the center line is excellent. Marcus Semien, Corey Seager and Leody Taveras are there and they are good.
The DBacks have Ketel Marte every day (he doesn’t dominate defensively) and frequent changes at shortstop and center field.
Evan Longoria, Christian Walker and Corbin Carroll are good defensively in the corners, however.
Managers
Torey Lovullo is an excellent manager. He has been there for many years and has masterfully guided the reconstruction. He constantly defends his team publicly.
But he’s not Bruce Bochy. In 2019, he said he hoped Bochy would come back one day.
Bochy means 26 years of experience in the field. This is enormous respect. This is a perfect record in games #7. That’s three rings in San Francisco (2010, 2012 and 2014) and a final in 1998 in San Diego.
He’s a World Series regular and no one has guided three franchises to the big final dance before him. The advantage is marked.
Imponderables
I don’t know what biases you have about playoff experience, but in 2023, it’s not exactly a factor.
In fact, the two clubs haven’t made the playoffs for a long time (2016 in Texas and 2017 in Arizona), but that doesn’t change anything.
We don’t really know what to expect, but we still have to know that the two teams, even if they are not the most popular, will put on a good show.
Diamondbacks in 6. What about you?
