Andrew Wilsher
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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2023 MLB World Series! Almost nobody could have predicted that it would be the Arizona Diamondbacks battling it out with the Texas Rangers, even at the start of the postseason, but here we are. But which team will be standing tall when it’s all said and done? Here at Pickswise, we’ve asked 4 of our sharpest MLB handicappers for their pick to win the World Series and in how many games. Let’s break down the best bets for the 2023 World Series, and make sure you read our MLB picks for every game between the D-backs and Rangers.
Keith Schmelter: Texas Rangers to win 4-2 (+390)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
This is a World Series matchup that came out of nowhere. From Opening Day to the all-star break to the start of the postseason, neither of these teams was actually expected to compete for the Commissioner’s Trophy. The Rangers and Diamondbacks made the playoffs via a Wild Card spot which meant they both had a long journey just to make it to this point. But here they are — the last two teams remaining.
After watching both teams through the postseason, comparing each aspect of the team and factoring in the home-field advantage, I kept coming back to the same team — the Texas Rangers. The trio of Jordan Montgomery, Nathan Eovaldi and Max Scherzer is elite, and I’m not too worried about Scherzer’s inconsistency since he gets a week of rest before his next start. Plus, Texas’ lineup doesn’t have a weak link. Their lineup averages 5.91 runs per game in the postseason and just crushed the top-tier Houston pitching staff. I think that the Diamondbacks will steal a couple of games, so I’m expecting the Rangers to win in 6.
Read Keith’s MLB World Series Opening Lines analysis
Javan Shouey: Texas Rangers to win 4-2 (+390)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Just 2 short years ago, the Texas Rangers lost 102 regular season games while the Arizona Diamondbacks lost 110 games. Now, these teams will face off in the 2023 World Series after turning around the trajectory of their organizations. Texas paved their way to success through major acquisitions both through free agency and trade, while Arizona built their young core steadily while adding supplementary veteran pieces along the way.
Nathan Eovaldi and Jordan Montgomery will face Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly in the first 2 respective games, and I expect the Rangers to take advantage of their home field edge with the Diamondbacks top 2 arms performing far worse on the road this year. Arizona improved their offensive play in the postseason, but are still worse against lefties, giving a bump to Montgomery and Andrew Heaney when we see him. Texas hits either handedness of pitching extremely well, and as the best single unit in this series, I expect them to make the difference. Look for the Rangers to win the World Series in 6 games.
Read our full Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers World Series Game 1 predictions
JutPicks: Arizona Diamondbacks to win 4-2 (+650)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook and BetMGM at time of publishing.
As a Philadelphia Phillies fan, I’m tearing up writing this. The Arizona Diamondbacks played one hell of a series to overcome a 3-2 deficit in Philadelphia — one of the most hostile environments in American sports. Now, they’ll battle the Texas Rangers for the World Series title.
It’s been a team effort for the D-backs all season. Headlined by Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll, they came to play when it mattered. But it’s the rest of the lineup that shined in crucial moments. 23-year-olds Alex Thomas and Gabriel Moreno came up clutch, while veterans Tommy Phan and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. chipped in when called upon. The bullpen is the deciding factor for me. The back end of the Diamondbacks’ bullpen is elite, while the Texas Rangers pen isn’t. The loaded Texas Rangers lineup is in trouble if the Diamondbacks can get solid outings from Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt. The Rangers lineup has shown to go cold occasionally, and I love the underdog mentality that the Diamondbacks have shown this postseason.
Find out JutPicks’ best Diamondbacks vs Rangers player prop bets — we’re on a 21-5 run!
Chad Hartsock: Texas Rangers to win 4-2 (+390)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
This is a game-by-game betting situation for me, and I do not see a clear favorite. The books have this one at -170 to the Rangers, but I am not so sure. I think that each team has one decisive advantage, and exploiting that advantage will be the key to winning. For the Rangers, they have the vastly superior offense. For the Diamondbacks, the advantage is their bullpen.
The Rangers will win this series if they can play gorilla ball. For fun, thumb through the player props and notice that 5 of the 6 shortest odds to lead the series in home runs are Rangers, and 7 of the 8 most likely to lead in RBIs are Rangers. They will need to do it early though, because the Arizona bullpen has been lights out in the postseason. For both teams, the bullpens have been liabilities all year. For the Rangers, it still is; for Arizona, it has become a strength. Both teams are yanking starters at the first sign of trouble, and the more we see bullpens, the more that plays to Arizona’s favor.
Still, I think there is a lower ceiling for the Arizona offense and a much higher floor for Texas. I think Texas out-slugs the Snakes over the long haul, and Bruce Bochy will, as always, somehow never make a bad decision. Rangers in 6.
Our expert has a Diamondbacks vs Rangers Same Game Parlay at +621 odds for Game 1
