World Series Game 1 Preview

Diamondbacks at Rangers

AuthorAuthor

Zach Beier & Chubbs Scheffler
October 27, 2023

Good morning,

Let’s dive in…

Developing Stories 📰

When the 2023 regular season kicked off, no one could have seen the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers facing off in the World Series. This matchup was so unlikely that not a single expert would have predicted it, not even after both teams found themselves trailing 3-2 in their respective League Championship Series. Yet here we are, witnessing the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Texas Rangers in the 2023 World Series.

The Rangers began the season with high hopes, acquiring Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi to lead their rotation. However, deGrom's season was cut short, and Eovaldi, despite his injuries, performed well. Texas added to their rotation with Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery at the trade deadline. Scherzer faced his own setbacks, while Montgomery emerged as a strong playoff pitcher. The World Series pitching lineup for the Rangers consists of Eovaldi in Game 1, followed by Montgomery and a hopefully improved Scherzer in his third postseason start. Game four will feature a bullpen effort with pitchers like Andrew Heaney, Dane Dunning, and Cody Bradford in the mix.

The Diamondbacks have their dynamic duo in Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. They combined for 29 wins and 38 quality starts during the regular season. While Arizona struggled to fill the remaining rotation spots, rookie Brandon Pfaadt emerged as a postseason standout with a 2.70 ERA and a high strikeout rate. The Diamondbacks, like the Rangers, will rely on a bullpen strategy for game four. Both teams' bullpen stories have taken unexpected turns in the postseason. The Rangers, historically plagued by bullpen issues, managed to assemble a reliable relief corps, led by Josh Sborz, Aroldis Chapman, and Jose Leclerc. They've posted a 3.72 ERA in the playoffs. The Diamondbacks' bullpen, under manager Torey Lovullo, has also thrived in the postseason, with Andrew Saalfrank, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, and closer Paul Sewald performing exceptionally. Their postseason ERA stands at 2.94.

The Rangers boast a powerful lineup, with Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia leading the way. The team can be streaky but has recently shown their hitting prowess. Rookie outfielder Evan Carter has been a standout in the playoffs. Bruce Bochy has an impressive managerial career with numerous wins and three World Series titles. He boasts an impeccable postseason record, having never lost a Game 7.

The Diamondbacks have a less imposing lineup on paper but have proven effective. Manager Lovullo has strategically used platoons to their advantage. Martel has been exceptional in the playoffs, hitting safely in all 16 games. However, first baseman Christian Walker's poor postseason performance is a concern. Torey Lovullo, while showing promise, has a losing overall record as a big-league manager. He's made some critical decisions this postseason, with most of them turning out positively.

Headlines 🚨

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Josh Allen gets the Bills to a good start in a 24-18 win over the Buccaneers.

Damien Lillard scores 39 points in his Bucks Debut to help Milwaukee beat Philadelphia 118-117.

NBA looking into facts behind Hardens absence from 76ers opener in Milwaukee.

Dusty Baker announces his retirement after 26 seasons as a manager.

Derrick Henry reportedly could be on the move as the Titans look for a trade.

Victor Wembanyama puts up 15-5-2 in his NBA Debut loss against the Mavericks.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

⚾️ Diamondbacks at Rangers

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing Texas

  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing on the road against Texas

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Texas's last 6 games

🏈 Vikings at Packers

  • Green Bay is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota

🏈 Falcons at Titans

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games on the road

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta's last 5 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Tennessee's last 10 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Tennessee's last 16 games at home

🏈 Texans at Panthers

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing Carolina

🏈 Patriots at Dolphins

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New England's last 6 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New England's last 7 games when playing Miami

  • Miami is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New England

  • Miami is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games at home

🏈 Jets at Giants

  • The total has gone UNDER in 8 of NY Jets's last 11 games

  • NY Jets is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Giants's last 5 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 18 of NY Giants's last 24 games at home

🏈 Jaguars at Steelers

  • Jacksonville is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

  • Jacksonville is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Jacksonville

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games

🏈 Eagles at Commanders

  • Philadelphia is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games

  • Philadelphia is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games on the road

  • The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Washington's last 8 games at home

  • The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Washington's last 22 games

🏈 Browns at Seahawks

  • The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Cleveland's last 13 games

  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Seattle

  • The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 6 games at home

  • Seattle is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

🏈 Chiefs at Broncos

  • Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Denver

  • Kansas City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver

  • The total has gone OVER in 9 of Denver's last 12 games

  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Denver's last 7 games when playing at home against Kansas City

🏈 Raiders at Lions

  • Detroit is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games at home

  • Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🏈 NCAAF

21% of bets and 43% of money is on GT +12

28% of bets and 55% of money is on KU +9.5

19% of bets and 44% of money is on UNDER UNDER 52 #4 FSU at WF

18% of bets and 47% of money is on UNDER 50.5 PITT at #14 ND

12% of bets and 48% of money is on UNDER 47.5 #8 ORE at #13 UTAH

12% of bets and 50% of money is on CSU +425

42% of bets and 68% of money is on VAND +24.5

23% of bets and 50% of money is on #23 UCLA -16.5

39% of bets and 71% of money is on UNDER 61.5 COLO at #23 UCLA

34% of bets and 57% of money is on ARI +3

23% of bets and 48% of money is on ARI +130

🏈 NFL

51% of bets and 80% of money is on UNDER 47 NE at MIA

43% of bets and 64% of money is on UNDER 41 JAX at PIT

44% of bets and 77% of money is on NO -1

49% of bets and 74% of money is on NO -115

41% of bets and 81% of money is on UNDER 35 ATL at TEN

60% of bets and 80% of money is on DAL -6

45% of bets and 79% of money is on UNDER 35.5 NYJ at NYG

22% of bets and 52% of money is on GB +1.5

26% of bets and 83% of money is on CAR +3.5

57% of bets and 85% of money is on OVER 43.5 HOU at CAR

20% of bets and 75% of money is on CAR +145

41% of bets and 67% of money is on UNDER 37.5 CLE at SEA

41% of bets and 61% of money is on CIN +170

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

ARI (QB) Kyler Murray | Doubtful - Knee

ARI (TE) Zach Ertz | IR - Quadriceps

CHI (QB) Justin Fields | Out - Thumb

CLE (QB) Deshaun Watson | Out - Shoulder

DET (RB) David Montgomery | Questionable - Ribs, did not practice today

HOU (WR) Robert Woods | Out - Foot

IND (RB) Zach Moss | Questionable - Elbow/Heel, did not practice today

JAX (WR) Zay Jones | Out - Knee

LV (K) Daniel Carlson | Questionable - Groin

LV (QB) Jimmy Garoppolo | Questionable - Back

MIA (CB) Jalen Ramsey | IR - Knee, expected to make Dolphins’ debut Sunday vs NE

NYG (QB) Daniel Jones | Out - Neck

SF (QB) Brock Purdy | Questionable - Concussion, Purdy is practicing today and looks good to start Saturday vs CIN

Weekend Picks 🔒

Bulls -2 | The Bulls needs to focus on having an impact in the paint. They’ll have more success from long range than they had in game one.

Utah +6 | Utah has defied expectations often this year, even without Cam Rising. The defense is one of the best in college. They will keep this game within a touchdown.

Arizona State +6 | ASU has proved they can hang in there with good teams. They should be able to keep up the pace with Washington State.

Patriots +9.5 | I expect Miami to work out some of its frustrations in this game, but that’s a big line against a Patriots team that has been solid on defense. The Patriots showed against the Bills that they still have plenty of grit.

Falcons -3 | The Falcons have enough talented pieces to move the football against the Titans, who appear to be tanking. Tannehill is questionable to play, and Tennessee isn't confident enough in either Malik Willis or Will Levis to name a starter.