Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers
- Date: Friday, October 27, 2023
- Location: Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX
- TV: FOX
- Odds/Point Spread: Arizona (+132) Texas (-156)
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook (USA), Bodog Sportsbook (Canada)
The Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78) will face off against the Texas Rangers (90-72) in Game 1 of the World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. The odds for this matchup have the Diamondbacks as the underdogs at +132, while the Rangers are favored at -156. The over/under for the game is set at 8.5. The expected starting pitchers for the game are Zac Gallen for the Diamondbacks and Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers.
The Diamondbacks have a .408 slugging percentage and have been struck out 1,247 times, while drawing 540 walks. They have recorded 706 runs batted in and 1,359 hits, with a team batting average of .250. As a team, they have hit 274 doubles and 166 home runs. The Diamondbacks have scored 746 runs and have a team on-base percentage of .322. They average 4.6 runs per game.
On the defensive side, the Diamondbacks have a team ERA of 4.47, ranking 20th in the league. Their pitching staff has struck out 1,351 batters. They have given up 197 home runs and 761 total runs, ranking 20th in baseball. The pitching staff has walked 525 opposing hitters and has a FIP of 4.36. Arizona has allowed 1,375 base hits and 713 earned runs. They have a K/BB ratio of 2.57 and a collective WHIP of 1.32.
The Diamondbacks’ bullpen has come into the game with opponents on base 166 times, earning 154 appearances in high leverage situations. They have a save rate of 62.0%, with 44 saves and 27 blown saves out of 71 save opportunities. The bullpen pitchers have inherited 235 runners, with 30.2% of them scoring. The Diamondbacks have used 547 relievers this season.
Defensively, the Diamondbacks have converted 69.5% of balls in play into outs, ranking 14th in the majors. They have tallied 4,306 putouts, 1,399 assists, and committed 56 errors. Their fielding percentage is .990, leading MLB, and they have completed 134 double plays.
Zac Gallen, with a career ERA of 3.21, will start for the Diamondbacks. He has pitched 667 innings and has 729 strikeouts. Gallen has given up 534 hits and 204 walks, with a WHIP of 1.106.
The Texas Rangers have hit 233 home runs and recorded 845 runs batted in. They have 326 doubles, 599 walks, and 881 runs scored. The Rangers have an OBP of .337 and a batting average of .263 this season. They have struck out 1,416 times and have 1,470 base knocks.
On the pitching side, the Rangers have a team WHIP of 1.268 and a FIP of 4.32. They rank 13th in MLB in hits allowed with 1,330. The pitching staff has given up 716 runs and has an ERA of 4.28, surrendering 683 earned runs. They have a K/BB ratio of 8.50, with 1,351 strikeouts against 491 walks. The Rangers have allowed 198 home runs and give up an average of 4.49 runs per 9 innings.
The Rangers’ bullpen has encountered 146 save situations, earning 80 holds and 33 blown saves. They have come away with 30 saves out of 63 save opportunities. The relief pitchers have appeared in 160 high leverage situations and 163 occasions with runners on. They have an inherited score rate of 31.5%, with 273 inherited base runners. The Rangers’ bullpen is ranked 30th in MLB with a save rate of 47.6%. They have used 467 relievers this season.
Defensively, the Rangers have turned 143 double plays and have a fielding percentage of .990, ranking 2nd in professional baseball. They have 1,423 assists, 57 errors, and 4,309 putouts this year. Their efficiency on defense is 70.3%, ranking 4th in pro baseball.
Nathan Eovaldi will take the mound for the Rangers. In his career, he has surrendered 1,424 hits and has 1,192 strikeouts in 1,401 innings pitched. Eovaldi holds a 4.10 ERA and has given up 9.1 hits per 9 innings. His K/BB ratio is 2.96.
The Pick: Texas Rangers (-156)
