The Daily Sweat: Rangers are World Series Game 1 favorites over the Diamondbacks
The Texas Rangers are favorites to win Game 1 of the 2023 World Series on Friday.
The Rangers host the Arizona Diamondbacks as Nathan Eovaldi takes the mound for Texas, while Zac Gallen is starting for Arizona.
Eovaldi has been very good in the playoffs after giving up seven runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings during his final regular-season start. He allowed five runs in 12 1/3 innings in two starts against the Houston Astros in the ALCS. Texas won both of those games as the Rangers won all four games in Houston. Overall, Eovaldi has thrown 26 postseason innings and has allowed 21 hits and seven runs and struck out 28 hitters.
Gallen did not have the same LCS success. The Diamondbacks lost both of the games he started against the Phillies. He gave up four runs in six innings in Game 5 and five runs in five innings in Game 1.
Gallen was better against the Dodgers and Brewers, as he gave up four runs in 11 1/3 innings over his first two postseason starts.
Despite not winning a home playoff game since beating the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS, the Rangers are -165 to win straight up on Friday. Arizona is +140 to win and -145 if you take the Diamondbacks +1.5 runs. The Rangers are +120 giving the Diamondbacks 1.5 runs.
The Rangers’ Game 1 odds are slightly lower than their odds of winning the series. Texas is -175 to win the series, and the Diamondbacks are +145. Our favorite bet is a Rangers win in Game 1 on the way to a World Series win. You can get a Rangers win in Game 1 with a World Series win at +115.
Florida Atlantic visits Charlotte
The only FBS football game of the night is in Charlotte as Florida Atlantic visits the 49ers. The Owls are 3.5-point favorites as they try to get to a bowl game in Tom Herman’s first season with the team.
A win pushes the Owls to 4-4 with four games remaining. With games against UAB, East Carolina and Rice remaining, it’s very possible that FAU can get to a bowl game if it wins Friday.
Hefty NBA slate
The NBA’s opening week continues Friday with 11 games. There are some intriguing matchups, too. The Heat visit the Celtics, and Boston is an 8.5-point favorite. The defending champion Denver Nuggets are 5.5-point favorites at the Memphis Grizzlies, the Thunder are 3.5-point underdogs at the Cavaliers, and Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs are 1.5-point favorites at home against the Rockets.
Who cashed tickets Thursday?
The Buccaneers got a backdoor cover in a 24-18 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. Buffalo was a 9.5-point favorite and led by 14 for much of the second half before the Bucs scored with 2:44 to go.
Virginia Tech dominated Syracuse in a 38-10 win. The Hokies are now 4-4 overall and 3-1 in the ACC, while Syracuse is 4-4 overall and 0-4 in the conference.
