World Series Preview and Prediction

The World Series matchup is set with the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks ready to bring their A-game to the baseball diamond as they vie for the championship title. Both teams have showcased stellar performances throughout the postseason, overcoming their underdog status held throughout the season. For instance, the Diamondbacks were the last team in the National League to make the postseason. Fresh off a season where they lost over 100 games a couple of years ago, the Rangers swept the Rays in their wild card battle, and both teams defeated last year’s World Series participants, the Astros and Phillies, to reach the World Series. So, who holds the advantage and how do these teams match up against each other?

Pitching:
The Diamondbacks hold a pitching advantage with a trio of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Brandon Pfaadt, compared to Texas, who have ace Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi but lack the depth in pitching that the Diamondbacks possess. A concern for the Rangers is their bullpen. While the Rangers have managed to mitigate their bullpen issues so far, it has been a weakness in the postseason. In the World Series, where the stakes are high, the innings from the 7th to the 9th are crucial as the pressure mounts, and the Rangers will need their bullpen to support their starters. On the other hand, the Diamondbacks’ bullpen has performed spectacularly, posting a 2.94 ERA in the postseason. Strong starting pitching coupled with a strong bullpen often spells championship success.
Advantage: Diamondbacks

Hitting:
The Diamondbacks boast a hitting machine in Ketel Marte, who has been on fire this postseason. Beyond Marte, the D-backs have a great blend of veteran and youthful players, such as Lourdes Gurriel, Evan Longoria, and Gabriel Moreno, who have all been crucial to the Diamondbacks’ success. Conversely, the Rangers have a potent offense. Marcus Semien and Corey Seager lead off lethally, with Adolis Garcia, who over the course of the postseason, has posted the following stat line:

.327 avg/7 HR/20 RBI/1.102 OPS/.750 SLG

During the ALCS, Garcia drove in 15 runs, hit five home runs, and in four consecutive games hit four home runs, tying the all-time record. He only needs three RBI to break the all-time RBI record for the postseason. The Rangers don’t just have the most dangerous hitter this postseason; they have a series-changing player.
Advantage: Rangers

Prediction:
Both teams have enjoyed excellent postseason runs, despite the fact that neither the Rangers nor the Diamondbacks clinched their division. Who will emerge as the victor? Although the Rangers boast a murderer’s row of hitters and a series-changing player in Adolis Garcia, I believe that pitching is the most crucial attribute a team can have in the World Series. As of now, the D-backs have demonstrated elite performance in both their starting unit and bullpen, and their hitting has proven good enough to beat the Brewers and Phillies. I predict that pitching will once again be the deciding factor in this series, with the Diamondbacks emerging victorious.

Rollo’s Prediction: Diamondbacks in 6

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