World Series picks, predictions for Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers are set for an improbable — and potentially magical — 2023 World Series.
Which team will win the Fall Classic?
Check out these World Series picks and predictions for the finals 2023 MLB Playoffs series, which begins Friday at Glove Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
The Diamondbacks advanced to the World Series by beating the Philadelphia Phillies in seven games.
The Rangers defeated the Houston Astros in seven games.
Both teams won the final two games of the league championship series on the road to overcome 3-2 deficits to advance.
It is Arizona's second World Series. The Diamondbacks won it in 2001.
It is the Rangers' third World Series. Texas lost in its previous two appearances in 2010 and 2011.
More: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers World Series schedule, TV, how to watch, stream
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Sporting News: Diamondbacks will beat Rangers in six games in World Series
Ryan Fagan writes: " Ketel Marte has literally never played in a postseason game without getting a hit. Corbin Carroll looked unstoppable in Game 7. Gabriel Moreno is an emerging star, and so does Alex Thomas. Christian Walker is a sleeping giant. Tommy Pham, Lourdes Gurriel Jr and Evan Longoria are veterans who work counts and take good at-bats."
More: Will Mad Dog Russo actually retire after Diamondbacks' NLCS Game 7 victory over Phillies?
Sporting News: Rangers will beat Diamondbacks in seven games in World Series
Edward Sutelan writes: "Picking a winner for this series feels impossible. Both teams have defied all the odds stacked against them along the way to get to this point. But fences are the only thing that can keep home runs in, while Heim's arm could keep the Diamondbacks' running game in check. That Rangers' lineup is deeper than Philadelphia's, and will provide more challenges for Arizona's pitching staff. Expect Scherzer, facing the team that drafted him back in 2006, to start to look a bit more settled in after making his first two playoff starts, and help provide some much needed length to this Rangers' pitching staff. In a World Series between two, outstanding young teams with opposing strengths, I'll take the more powerful lineup just edging out the faster lineup."
World Series odds: Texas Rangers favored to top Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023 Fall Classic
Fangraphs: Rangers have a 52.4% chance to win World Series
The site gives the Diamondbacks a 47.6% chance to win the World Series.
More: Arizona Diamondbacks, the team nobody saw coming, headed to the World Series
Gaming Today: Diamondbacks will win World Series vs. Rangers in seven games
Dan Holmes writes: "We can’t help but think the Diamondbacks are blissfully unaware of their underdog status. This team is like the three-legged horse that thinks he can win the Kentucky Derby. Like the ugly mutt that thinks he can be crowned the champion at the dog show. Lovullo & Co. don’t know they’re supposed to lose. … Diamondbacks in seven games."
More: Arizona Diamondbacks reach World Series, proving beyond a doubt they belong
The Athletic: Why the Diamondbacks will win World Series over Rangers
Sam Blum writes: "The Diamondbacks haven’t won by accident. There’s been some good, timely fortune. But no more than any other team that makes a late October run. The Rangers’ pitching is less solidified. Particularly their bullpen, which has been used heavily and notably blew many games throughout the regular season while posting a 4.77 ERA. Scherzer wasn’t great in the ALCS, either. Still, the Rangers will be the favorites. But if this month has taught us anything, it’s that that doesn’t matter one bit."
The Athletic: Why the Rangers will win World Series over Diamondbacks
Cody Stavenhagen writes: "For as much concern as there is over the Rangers’ bullpen, manager Bruce Bochy has protected his relievers well. The Texas bullpen has a 3.72 ERA in the playoffs, a big improvement from 4.77 in the regular season. It can feel like a ticking time bomb, and there’s still a soft underbelly to this bullpen, but if the Rangers can continue to get top-tier performances from Eovaldi and Montgomery and stick to their leverage relievers, they can be a very difficult team to beat. "
STREAM THE SERIES: Watch Diamondbacks vs. Rangers live with FUBO (free trial)
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Texas Rangers World Series picks, predictions
