Rangers vs. Diamondbacks Betting Pick: Can Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks Strike Early in World Series Game 1?
The Arizona Diamondbacks start the 2023 World Series on the road against the Texas Rangers. Can Corbin Carroll and the underdog D-backs strike early at Globe Life Field? Ben Rajavuori breaks down the start of Game 1 with his Diamondbacks vs. Rangers betting pick.
Ben Rajavuori - October 27, 2023, 4:16 PM EDT
8 minRangers vs. Diamondbacks Betting Pick: Will there be Early Runs in World Series Game 1?
The 2023 World Series is here, and it presents a matchup that probably .1% of people could have predicted.
The 84-78 Diamondbacks, who barely snuck into the postseason, find themselves playing for the trophy and travel to take on the Texas Rangers, who were also a wild card.
The Diamondbacks came back from a 3-2 deficit in the NL Championship Series, winning two games on the road to close the series.
The Rangers, meanwhile, had a crazy AL Championship series, where the road team won all 7 games. With this crazy World Series matchup ahead of us tonight, what should we expect in Game 1? I think some early runs are in order.
Diamondbacks vs. Rangers Date, Time, And Where To Watch
- Date: October 27, 2023
- Game Time: 8:04 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Diamondbacks vs. Rangers Odds
- Spread: Diamondbacks +1 (-105), Rangers -1 (-113)
- Total Odds: O 8.5 (-114), U 8.5 (-106)
- Moneyline Odds: Diamondbacks (+140), Rangers (-160)
Rangers vs. Diamondbacks Prediction
The Rangers and Diamondbacks have both played 12 games this postseason. They both swept the Wild Card round and divisional series, then went to Game 7 in the league championships. Across those 12 games for the Diamondbacks, the YRFI (Yes, Run in the First Inning) hit in eight of 12 games, going 8-4. For the Rangers, they had a 7-5 YRFI record, although they went 7-3 in their last 10 games after the NRFI hit in both of their Wild Card games against Tampa Bay.
Both teams are set up for first-inning success. On the Diamondbacks side, they have Corbin Carroll leading off, who is hitting .295 in the postseason. He also has seven walks in 44 at-bats. The dangerous part about Carroll is that he can steal pretty much whenever he wants as one of the fastest players in the league. Carroll recorded 54 stolen bases this season, which was third in the league. Next up is Ketel Marte, who has been absolutely automatic in the playoffs, hitting .358. If Carroll gets on and steals, Marte can get him in with a knock early in this game, which is a real possibility. The Diamondbacks have been extremely aggressive on the bases, which has paid off for them all season, and especially in the postseason. They manufacture runs out of seemingly nothing, which is how they shocked the Dodgers and had so much first-inning success in that series.
The Rangers, on the other hand, have some of the hottest hitters who are hot at the right time. Marcus Semien, who hits leadoff, struggled to start the postseason, but he went 4-8 in the last two games of the league championship and is also 5-8 off Zac Gallen in his career. Behind him is Corey Seager, who was second in the MLB with a 1.013 OPS this season. Seager is 7-21 lifetime off Zac Gallen, and Seager is hitting .333 in the postseason. Behind Seager is Evan Carter, who is a rookie hitting .308 in the postseason. Finally, if any of those guys get on base, which is likely, Adolis Garcia steps up to the plate to bring them home. Adolis Garcia leads all players in the postseason with seven home runs, and he is hitting .327 as well, so he doesn't even need to rely on the long ball. He's just that good right now, and he looks unstoppable.
With two lineups poised for success in the first inning, it's no surprise that both teams have a positive YRFI record in the postseason. The Diamondbacks have been hitting the YRFI at a crazy rate on the road, having a run scored in the first inning in seven of their eight road games, whether they or the opponent score. I think the Diamondbacks will be aggressive against Eovaldi early, and Semien, Seager, or Garcia could all go yard against Gallen. I love the first game of the World Series to see a run in the first inning and get the scoring started quickly.
Rangers vs. Diamondbacks Betting Pick
Pick: Rangers/Diamondbacks First Inning Over 0.5 Runs -113 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
MLB Odds
