2023 World Series Preview: Texas Rangers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

2023 World Series Preview: Texas Rangers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Just like we all predicted, the Texas Rangers will be taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series! Arizona won their only other World Series appearance in 2001, while Texas has been bounced in their only two Fall Classic outings in 2010 and 2011. Now let’s dive into our series preview below!

2023 World Series Schedule:

Game	Date	Matchup	Probable Starters	Time	TV
Game 1	Oct. 27	Diamondbacks @ Rangers	Zac Gallen v. Nathan Eovaldi	8:05 p.m. EST	FOX
Game 2	Oct. 28	Diamondbacks @ Rangers	Merrill Kelly v. Jordan Montgomery	8:03 p.m. EST	FOX
Game 3	Oct. 30	Rangers @ Diamondbacks	TBD v. Brandon Pfaadt	8:03 p.m. EST	FOX
Game 4	Oct. 31	Rangers @ Diamondbacks	TBD v. TBD	8:03 p.m. EST	FOX
Game 5*	Nov. 1	Rangers @ Diamondbacks	TBD v. TBD	8:03 p.m. EST	FOX
Game 6*	Nov. 3	Diamondbacks @ Rangers	TBD v. TBD	8:03 p.m. EST	FOX
Game 7*	Nov. 4	Diamondbacks @ Rangers	TBD v. TBD	8:03 p.m. EST	FOX

Texas Rangers:

Overview:

The Rangers jostled with the Houston Astros for the AL West Title in the last month of the season, ultimately losing four of their final six games and were shy of their first division title since 2016. Never fear, as the Rangers became hotter than fish grease (shoutout Mark Jones!). They blew past the Tampa Bay Rays, the Baltimore Orioles and won four straight on the road against the Astros, getting the final laugh. Manager Bruce Bochy now has a chance to lead this Rangers team to their first World Series title in franchise history, and his fourth as a manager (he won three with the San Francisco Giants from 2010-14).

Reasons for optimism?

Their lineup. The Rangers were a top-5 offense in the regular season and their lineup has shown it’s as deep of a lineup as any team’s across MLB. Marcus Semien and Corey Seager make up the head of the snake. Adolis Garcia flashed a 1.503 OPS with five home runs and 15 RBIs in the final six games of the ALCS. Rookie Evan Carter sports a .308/.449/.538 slash line this postseason. Mitch Garver , Nathaniel Lowe and rookie Josh Jung own pop in the bottom half of the lineup. There aren’t very many–if any–easy outs 1-thru-9. It’s deep. It’s powerful. It’s balanced. It’s one capable of stringing together hits–and runs–in a heartbeat.

Any concerns?

Their bullpen–that’s been their biggest concern all along, even though it hasn’t come back to completely bite them for much of the postseason. If the game gets out of hand quickly, they have multiple starters-turned-relievers (for the postseason) in Andrew Heaney and Dane Dunning, who can eat innings. Until the staff has completely bridged to Jose Leclerc, it’s going to be an unsettling experience, even against a Diamondbacks lineup that isn’t as potent as, say, the Astros or Orioles.

Game 1 Lineup:

• Marcus Semien, 2B
• Corey Seager, SS
• Evan Carter, LF
• Adolis Garcia, RF
• Mitch Garver, DH
• Jonah Heim, C
• Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
• Josh Jung, 3B
• Leody Taveras, CF

Arizona Diamondbacks:

Overview:

Who would’ve thought a team that won 84 games in the regular is now in the World Series? Well, the Diamondbacks are–and it’s been a joyride watching it. Led by Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the Dbacks have one of MLB’s best stories, especially with how their second half of the season transpired. As one of MLB’s streakiest squads–similar to their World Series counterpart–Arizona went 20-35 in July and August before an eight-win-in-10-game stretch in mid-Sept. fueled Arizona to October. It swept the Milwaukee Brewers (on the road) and division rival Los Angeles Dodgers before climbing back down 2-0 to knock off the surging Philadelphia Phillies in seven games. What a ride it’s been!

Reasons for optimism?

Arizona was a below-average offense in the regular season, finishing with a 97 wRC+, which ranked in the bottom half across MLB. But they have speed, which plays in October. Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto made it tougher for Arizona to run on the bases, but they stole eight bases in the final two games of the NLCS and will be going up against a worse defensive catcher in Jonah Heim, respectfully. Corbin Carroll is one of the fastest players in MLB–he ranks in the 99th percentile in speed, per Baseball Savant–in addition to Tommy Pham, Alek Thomas, Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte, who all possess speed on the basepaths. Texas’ arms also have a tougher time holding runners, too.

Arizona has displayed more power during the postseason, but still placed No. 19 in isolated power during the 162-game regular season. The team that usually hits the most home runs wins the most games in the postseason, believe it or not. But if Arizona can’t utilize the long ball, they are going to have to rely on stout pitching, defense … and speed, especially in high-leverage situations.

Any concerns?

Similar to Texas, it’s the bullpen. They have multiple arms they can go to, including Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald. But Arizona’s bullpen ranked No. 21 in FIP, No. 17 in expected FIP and No. 20 in strikeout rate during the regular season. It’s not very reliable, and it lost them plenty of games during the middle of the season. The bullpen’s patched it together in the postseason, but against this nuclear lineup, it’s Arizona’s biggest concern in medium-to-high leverage situations.

Game 1 Lineup:

• Corbin Carroll, RF
• Ketel Marte, 2B
• Gabriel Moreno, C
• Christian Walker, 1B
• Tommy Pham, DH
• Lourdes Gurriel Jr. , LF
• Alek Thomas, CF
• Evan Longoria, 3B
• Geraldo Perdomo, SS

Prediction: Rangers in 6

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