World Series Game 3 Preview: Rangers at Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Texas Rangers for Game 3 of the 2023 World Series tonight at Chase Field. The first pitch is 5:03 P.M. Arizona Time.

The two teams split two games in Arlington Texas at Globe Life Field. While the D-backs may seem to have the home field advantage now, the Rangers are 8-0 on the road this season.

Lineups

Both teams are running out essentially the same lineups as Games 1 and 2, the only difference for Arizona being Corbin Carroll is back in the leadoff spot with the right-handed Max Scherzer on the mound. When the other team starts a lefty Torey Lovullo usually bats Ketel Marte first and Corbin Carroll second.

Tommy Pham is coming off a four-hit game Saturday night in Arlington, and also homered in game one. He's 5-for-9 (.556) in the series and has a 1.667 OPS. Pham now famously gave up his chance for a five hit game by asking Torey Lovullo to pinch hit veteran back up infielder Jace Peterson to get him a World Series at bat. It's that kind of unselfish attitude that has helped propel the Diamondbacks to where they are.

Pitching Matchup

Scherzer has made two starts this postseason, throwing 6.2 innings with a 9.45 ERA as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. He was 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA for the Rangers after coming over from the Mets in a trade deadline deal in August.

Pfaadt is making his fifth postseason start. In 16.2 innings he has a 2.70 ERA and 22 strikeouts against just three walks. Lovullo has been limiting him to 18 batters, plus or minus four. He'll probably keep with that game plan for tonight.

Earlier today we published a detailed breakdown of Max Scherzer and Brandon Pfaadt's season and lead up to this World Series. Be sure to check that out.

Pfaadt vs. Scherzer, The Rookie vs. Future Hall of Famer

Bullpens:

The Diamondbacks did not have to use any of their high leverage relievers in Game 2. That's a good thing too as Kevin Ginkel, Paul Sewald, and Ryan Thompson all had to work hard in an extra inning loss in game one. With two full days off they should be all gassed up and ready to go tonight.

Due to getting six innings from Jordan Montgomery in Game 2, plus the score getting out of hand late, Bruce Bochy did not use any of his high leverage relievers either. The only Rangers reliever that worked in both games was Dane Dunning.