Can D-backs Get off the Canvas in World Series Game 2?

The Diamondbacks were walked off last night 6-5 in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series on an 11th inning homer from Adolis Garcia. Prior to that they blew a a 5-3 lead when Paul Sewald walked the number nine hitter Leody Taveras to start the ninth inning and then gave up the game tying homer to Corey Seager.

While the D-backs played a good ballgame up until that point, it was lacking in the greatness required to win a World Series. Their ace starter Zac Gallen went just give innings, while walking four batters and giving up three runs, including walking in the 3rd run in the 3rd inning. While that's a serviceable outing from a number three or four starter, it's not what the team needed from their best pitcher. Gallen missed an opportunity to turn around his postseason by not getting deeper into the game and exhibiting the greatness expected of the best pitchers in these situations.

After the game he addressed giving up the four walks and his early exit from the game, seemingly satisfied with his effort. He said he felt he threw the ball well but the Rangers were just laying off good pitches. "I've got to tip my cap in that sense. My job's just to try to give us a chance to win in that sense I'm ok with it, but there's still work to be done"

If the D-backs are to win this series, they'll need more than that tonight from Merrill Kelly. Kelly has been the better pitcher of the two since the All-Star break in mid July, posting an ERA over a run lower than Gallen. In three postseason starts this year he has a 2.65 ERA in 17 innings, compared to Gallen's 5.27 ERA in 27 innings. Kelly got clipped by manager Torey Lovullo at five innings and 90 pitches in game six of the NLCS. Lovullo had that luxury with a fully gassed up bullpen that has been on point all postseason.

Lovullo does not have that luxury tonight. If Kelly is having similar success against the fearsome Rangers lineup tonight, he might strongly consider pushing Kelly a third time through the lineup and try to get him through six or even seven innings to shorten up the game. Ryan Thompson threw 17 pitches last night and struggled with command. Kevin Ginkel threw 28 and struggled even worse. Paul Sewald threw 22 pitches and struggled with his command as well, leaving the pitch to Seager in the middle top of the zone and later hitting Garcia with a pitch inside. All three of this pitchers are likely to be "available" tonight but in a perfect world, Lovullo would be able to stay away from them and still win the game.

That perfect world begins with Kelly. He's certainly capable of pitching into the 7th inning, having done it 10 times this year prior to the postseason. The perfect scenario also includes the Diamondbacks offense getting untracked early and maintaining it this time. After jumping out to five early runs and chasing Nathan Eovaldi from the game in the 5th inning last night, the offense was completely shut down for the rest of the game by the Rangers bullpen, who threw 6.1 scoreless innings while giving up just two singles.

After the game last night many of the quotes from the players referenced the Phillies series, and the fact that they came back from down 2-0 and 3-2 to win the series with two straight wins on the road. It would be unwise to carry that kind of mindset in this series however. The Rangers are a better team than the Phillies. They have a deeper lineup and play better defense. Make no mistake, squandering the win last night was a huge blow to the Diamondbacks chances to win this World Series. They just can't expect to lose games started by Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, thus depending on Brandon Pfaadt and a bullpen game to turn the series around twice in a row. Unless you're expecting lightning to strike twice in the same place.

Rangers Walk-Off D-backs in Game 1 of World Series