That’s 10-0, as in perfect, for the Texas Rangers on the road this postseason. On Tuesday, the Rangers pounded the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-7, piling on runs to bury the home team, and take an authoritative 3-1 lead in the 2023 World Series.
The team up 3-1 in the World Series has won 83% of the time. Only six teams in the 118 previous World Series have rallied from 3-1 deficits. The last was the Chicago Cubs in 2016.
The Diamondbacks might be wise to look at a comeback like a punchline to that old joke: How do you eat an elephant? The answer: one bite at a time. If the D’backs can win Game 5, they only need to win the final two games of the series. That’s what they did in 2001, the only other time this franchise has played in a Fall Classic. More appropriate for this team is the fact that the Diamondbacks won both Games 6 and 7 in the NL Championship Series to defeat the Phillies. Arizona knows what to do when their (diamond) backs are against the wall.
Oddsmakers have the lines for Game 5 pretty even, but the Rangers are overwhelming favorites to find at least one win and become MLB champs for the first time. BetRivers has Texas at -1667, and Arizona is +900.
World Series Game 5 Odds: Rangers vs. Diamondbacks
Game 4 Recap: Texas Takes Crowd Out of It With 10 Early Runs
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo had a script for his usage of his pitching staff in Game 4. It didn’t take long for that script to be rewritten. The D’backs were struck by five runs from Texas in the second, and five more(!) in the third. From that 10-run disadvantage, the Snakes never recovered, and now they face the tall task of winning three straight.
Notable in Game 4 was a home run by Corey Seager, who now has 19 for his playoff career, one off the all-time record by a shortstop, held by Derek Jeter. And Diamondbacks second sacker Ketel Marte got two hits, extending his record PS hitting streak to 20 games. You can get +180 odds from FanDuel on Marte to Record 2+ Hits in Game 5 of the World Series.
Game 5 Pitching Matchup
Nathan Eovaldi (4-0, 3.52 ERA, 36 K) vs. Zac Gallen (2-2, 5.27 ERA, 18 K)
This is a rematch of Game 1 when Gallen outpitched Eovaldi in Arlington. But Arizona coughed up the lead and the game like a cat trying to swallow a ball of yarn at grandma’s house. That devastating loss, precipitated by a Seager ninth-inning home run, looms large now. Gallen will have the hearty cheers of his hometown fans to spur him, but Eovaldi is undefeated on the road in the PS.
A big question for Game 5 will be the Texas bullpen. Despite a large lead, Texas skipper Bruce Bochy used six relief pitchers in Game 4. If Eovaldi needs help before the middle innings, or even if he doesn’t, will the Rangers pen be fresh enough?
Strikeout markets: Eovaldi 6+ K’s is +190 from FanDuel, and Gallen is +220 for the 6+ strikeouts.
Game 5 Prediction
The Rangers either hit a lot or hit not. They just hung 11 runs on the scoreboard in Game 4, and we think more line drives are on tap for Game 5. Gallen has pitched inconsistently this postseason, and the pressure will be intense in this must-win game. The kid could respond or he could get walloped by the tough Rangers lineup. If the top comes off the lid, the D’backs will need to scramble every pitching resource they have to survive.
Player prop tip: Corey Seager is at +330 to Hit a Home Run from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Adolis Garcia will not be in the lineup following an oblique strain ended his season in Game 3. That leaves Travis Jankowski to play right field. He had two hits in Game 4, and if you think Jankowski will hit a home run ij Game 5, you can find +900 from FanDuel. That means a $100 winning wager would get you $900.
We like the Rangers to wield heavy lumber in Game 5, so consider the odds on Race to 6 Runs, Texas (+225)… And if the second inning is magical again, like it was in Game 4, you can go for 2+ Runs in the 2nd Inning at +270 from FanDuel sports betting app.
World Series Same-Game Parlay
Odds from DraftKings are +145 on this simple parlay for Game 5:
- Rangers To Win
- Rangers To Score First
World Series Broadcast Schedule
- Game 1: Texas 6, Arizona 5
- Game 2: Arizona 9, Texas 1
- Game 3: Texas 3, Arizona 1
- Game 4: Texas 11, Arizona 7
- Game 5: Texas at Arizona, Nov. 1, 8:03 PM ET, FOX
- Game 6:* Arizona at Texas, Nov. 3, 8:03 PM ET, FOX
- Game 7:* Arizona at Texas, Nov. 4, 8:03 PM ET, FOX
* Played if necessary
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