World Series Game 1 Preview: Diamondbacks at Rangers

The 119th Fall Classic kicks off this evening from Globe Life Field in Texas

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas  Rangers will play in the 119th World Series, starting tonight at 5:03 P.M. Arizona Time, 7:03 CST.  It is the first trip to the World Series for the D-backs since their 2001 triumph over the New York Yankees. The Rangers are returning to the Fall Classic for the first time since appearing in back to back years in 2010-2011. The Rangers have never won the World Series. 

Pitching Matchup

Zac Gallen, 17-9, 3.47 ERA, 210 IP vs. Nathan Eovaldi, 12-5, 3.63 ERA, 144 IP

Gallen was the starting pitcher at the All-Star game in Seattle this year and had a 28 inning consecutive scoreless streak early in the season. An early favorite for the Cy Young Award, he fell off somewhat in the second half however to fall out of contention. Gallen has a career record of 39-31 with a 3.21 ERA in 115 starts, 667 innings since 2019.

Eovaldi has been a solid, albeit oft-injured starter throughout his 12 year major league career. The Tommy John survivor has made over 30 starts just twice and this year was limited to 25 due to a forearm strain. He's still managed to pitch over 1400 innings, posting a 4.10 ERA, or 103 ERA+

More importantly for this world series, Eovaldi is hot, while Gallen most decidedly is not.  After two good starts against the Brewers and the Dodgers, Gallen was hit hard by the Phillies in both of his starts in the NLCS.  Eovaldi meanwhile has been solid to excellent in each of his four games, pitching into the 7th inning in three of them and competing six in the other. This table below shows the difference in post season performance so far for the two pitchers

Lineups

Torey Lovullo is going with the set lineup he used throughout most of NLCS. Rookie sensation and lineup catalyst Corbin Carroll is leading off and NLCS MVP Ketel Marte is batting second. Despite there being a right-hander on the mound, he is sticking with Evan Longoria over Jace Peterson for the start. 

Mitch Garver is in the lineup. There was some concern he might not be ready due to sore ribs from a hit by pitch in Game 7 of the ALCS. 

Be sure to check out our detailed analysis of the Rangers and Diamondbacks offenses and bullpens at the links below

Comparing the Offenses of the Rangers and Diamondbacks

Comparing the Diamondbacks and Rangers Bullpens