The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers meet Friday in game 1 of the MLB World Series from Globe Life Field. Arizona is coming off a seven-game battle versus the Phillies in the NLCS. As for the Rangers, they took out the Astros in seven games as well during their ALCS victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks have powered through some tough teams already during this playoff run. Arizona took out the Brewers in two games (sweep), the Dodgers in three games (sweep), and the Phillies in an epic seven-game NLCS. The Diamondbacks have been steady, but not necessarily dominant so far this postseason. Their 51 total runs puts them fourth among playoff teams, as does their 50 RBI. Ketel Marte leads the way with 19 hits and a .358 batting average. Arizona’s pitchers have provided a 3.23 ERA over 106.0 total frames.
For the Game 1 start, the Diamondbacks are sending out Zac Gallen. In his four starts this postseason, Gallen is 2-2 with a 5.24 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 22.1 innings. Gallen went 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA over 34 starts this year.
Arizona Diamondbacks Team Facts
- The Diamondbacks have won each of their last five games as underdogs following a road win.
- The Diamondbacks have covered the run line in each of their last 10 Friday road games against AL West opponents.
- The Diamondbacks have led after 3 innings in each of their last four games at Globe Life Field.
- The Diamondbacks have led after 5 innings in four of their last six playoff games as road underdogs.
- The Diamondbacks have led after 7 innings in six of their last eight games as road underdogs.
Texas Rangers
Over on the Rangers’ side, their World Series run went through the Rays (two-game sweep), the Orioles (three-game sweep) and the Astros (seven games) in the ALCS. Texas’ offense has been quite productive overall, leading the league in postseason RBI (67), runs (71) and hits (113) while ranking second in homers (22). That said, the Rangers are only ranked fifth in postseason ERA (3.67) and they’ve given up a league-high 99 hits overall. Individually, Adolis Garcia tops the team with 17 hits, seven homers and 20 RBI. Evan Carter has managed six doubles this postseason as well.
Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound for the Rangers in the Game 1 start. Eovaldi is 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA in his four postseason starts. He’s got 28 Ks in 26.0 innings so far. Eovaldi managed a 12-5 record with a 3.63 ERA over 25 regular-season starts this year.
Texas Rangers Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the Rangers’ last seven games.
- The Rangers have failed to cover the run line in each of their last nine games as favorites against National League opponents following a road win.
- The Rangers have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last three games as home favorites against National League opponents.
- The Rangers have trailed after 5 innings in four of their last six playoff games as favorites.
- The Rangers have trailed after 7 innings in five of their last seven playoff games as favorites.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Texas Rangers rank 2nd in the league for hits this season (1470).
- The Texas Rangers rank 2nd in the league for doubles this season (326).
- The Arizona Diamondbacks rank 1st in the league for triples this season (44).
- The Arizona Diamondbacks rank 2nd in the league for steals this season (166).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to take a stab on the Rangers in Game 1. This is looking like a pretty fun matchup. On paper, it’ll be Arizona’s pitching versus Texas’ hitters overall, but the starting pitchers will dictate the pace in the opener. Eovaldi has been great in his four starts thus far. He’s coming off a successful 6.1 innings and two earned in a must-win Game 6 performance versus the Astros. As for Gallen, he was off in his Game 5 start back on Saturday. Gallen logged 6.0 innings with four earned on six hits and two walks, with just one strikeout in that one.
Texas has been scoring very well over the past two games, with 20 combined runs. I don’t think they’ll quite reach those heights in Game 1, but five or six runs are certainly attainable. Arizona has given up just three combined runs over the last two games, though. Ultimately, I think this one will be close, with Texas doing a little damage to Gallen initially and riding the wave to an opener win. Should be a great series.
