D-backs and Rangers X-Factors for the 2023 World Series

The World Series will begin tonight at Globe Life Park. In this Best of Seven series, heroes and legends will be made. Players who step up in this series will be remember forever in the history books and by their respective fan bases. As for which players could fit the bill in the series, here is one pitcher and hitter from each team who could decide this series.

Diamondbacks

RHP Brandon Pfaadt

After a stellar performance in the National League Championship Series, Pfaadt will try to repeat that in the World Series. He'll start an important Game 3 in the series, regardless of what the outcome of the first two games ultimately ends up being. If the D-backs can continue to get quality outings from Pfaadt, they stand a good chance of winning it all. The key will be fastball and sweeper command, taking advantage of a Rangers lineup that could be looking to stay aggressive on the fastball.

LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

While Gurriel's overall numbers aren't necessarily great in the postseason, he has provided some big hits for the D-backs when they needed them. His home runs in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers and Game 6 in the NLCS allowed the D-backs to establish an early lead and play downhill baseball. He was also the unsung hero of Game 3 of that same series, tying the game with a double and starting the winning rally with a single. Gurriel once again could be the deciding bat in the lineup, with teams focused on Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, and Christian Walker ahead of him.

Rangers

LHP Aroldis Chapman

A reliever with Chapman's past accomplishments being listed as an X-factor is never a good sign. The big lefty can hit 104 MPH with two different fastballs and a solid backfoot slider, but has spotty control at times and can fold in big situations. That was evident in the D-backs 4-3 win on August 21st, when Chapman blew a 1-0 lead on a Ketel Marte game-tying home run in the 9th inning. The Rangers have used José Leclerc as their main closer this postseason with Chapman playing more of a setup role. There will be multiple times where he'll have to face the top of Arizona's lineup in the series, with those games likely deciding the outcome.

3B Josh Jung

Jung consistently batting 8th in the Rangers lineup says more to how deep that lineup is than his actual talent. A former first rounder in the 2019 Draft, Jung combines contact ability with plus-plus power to be one of baseball's best young power hitters. He hit 23 home runs in 122 games, with a fractured left thumb sidelining him for five weeks. That hasn't caused any lasting issues in the postseason, as he's hitting .289 with three home runs and a .920 OPS. If there is one weakness, there is a lot of swing-and-miss in his game, with a strikeout rate of 29% vs. a walk rate of 6%. If the D-backs can execute their pitches to him, they should be able to keep him quiet.