Unlikely World Series Matchup: Diamondbacks vs. Rangers
Posted on: October 25, 2023, 08:59h.
Last updated on: October 25, 2023, 09:00h.
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers will face off in the highly unexpected 2023 World Series. This matchup for the Commissioner’s Trophy has taken many by surprise.
The World Series is set to commence on Friday in Arlington, TX. The Rangers, with a regular season record of 90-72, outperformed the Diamondbacks’ 84-78 campaign. This best-of-seven Fall Classic will be the first postseason encounter between the Rangers and Diamondbacks in MLB history.
This unexpected matchup comes as a surprise to many. After the Rangers and Diamondbacks both missed the postseason in 2022 with records of 68-94 and 74-88 respectively, oddsmakers gave extremely long odds for a Texas-Arizona World Series before the 2023 regular season even began.
BetMGM had the Rangers and Diamondbacks at odds of 1,750/1 (+175000) to reach the World Series. This implies a likelihood of only 0.06%. A $10 bet on this longshot line would have resulted in a staggering $17,500 payout.
According to the sports betting tracking platform SportsOddsHistory, the 2023 World Series matchup is the second most unlikely in MLB history, surpassed only by the 1991 series between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves. Both of those teams had finished last in their divisions the previous season.
World Series Odds
The Rangers opened as the favorites to win the World Series, according to various oddsmakers.
DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM have the Rangers favored at around -170 to -175 to win the best-of-seven series. Caesars Sportsbook has Texas slightly more favored at -185. A $100 winning bet on these odds would result in a payout of approximately $54 to $58. These odds imply a likelihood of roughly 65%.
Arizona enters the series as the underdog, with odds around +150. A $100 wager on the Diamondbacks would result in a $150 payout. The odds suggest a forecasted outcome of 40%.
In terms of the World Series MVP, Rangers’ star shortstop Corey Seager, who has been impressive with a .333 batting average, three home runs, and six RBIs in the postseason, is the frontrunner with odds of +500.
After winning the first two games of the American League Championship Series, the Rangers faced a challenge against the Houston Astros. However, Seager’s outstanding performance in Game 7, where he went three for five with a solo home run, helped Texas secure an 11-4 victory and a spot in the World Series.
“We never lost confidence in what we do,” said Seager after the decisive Game 7 victory that sent his team to the World Series for the first time since 2011.
The Rangers previously reached the World Series in 2011 and 2010 but fell short on both occasions. They are still searching for their first World Series title.
On the other hand, the Diamondbacks are making their first appearance in the World Series since their championship victory over the New York Yankees in the memorable 2001 series, just four years after the franchise’s inception. The Diamondbacks won the MLB championship in seven games. MLB awarded Phoenix an expansion franchise in 1995, and they began playing during the 1998 regular season.
Arizona’s victory in Game 7 against the Philadelphia Phillies was a significant upset, as the majority of the action was on Philadelphia.
Game 1 Matchup
The first pitch of Game 1 is scheduled for 8:03 p.m. EST on Friday. Although the starting pitchers have not been confirmed, Arizona is likely to start either Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly.
Texas will most likely start Jordan Montgomery, who has emerged as the team’s ace due to injuries to veterans Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer during the regular season.
While Scherzer has returned, he started Game 7 against the Astros on Monday, and reports suggest he is dealing with a new thumb injury after lasting only two and two-thirds innings. deGrom’s season, on the other hand, ended after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June.
Caesars Sportsbook has Texas favored at -170 to win Game 1, with the over/under set at 8.5 runs.