World Series Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks reached the National League playoffs as the No. 6 seed, claiming the final Wild Card berth. To face the Texas Rangers in the World Series. the Diamondbacks had to do it the hard way, as the road team in each playoff series.

The D-backs went to Milwaukee for the Wild Card series and swept the Brewers in two games. Arizona then faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series and swept them, too. Finally, the Diamondbacks needed all seven games to beat the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Championship Series.

Arizona has a winning record against the Rangers this season — 3-1. Here are four Diamondbacks to watch in this series, along with their manager Torey Lovullo.

Arizona Diamondbacks To Watch

Arizona Diamondbacks to watch going into the 2023 World Series against the Texas Rangers.

Ketel Marte, 2B

Marte was a .276 hitter in the regular season, but he’s boosted his production in the postseason. He’s slashing .358/.382/.604/.986 with a team-leading five doubles. He also has a triple, two home runs and seven RBI. Only catcher Gabriel Moreno has more postseason RBI (nine). Marte is one of the more veteran players on this team, as he’s been in the Majors since 2015, breaking in with the Mariners. He’s been with the Diamondbacks since 2017. He’s one of the anchors of one the best defenses in baseball with a .986 fielding percentage at second base.

Corbin Carroll, RF

You may hear his name next month when NL Rookie of the Year voting comes out. Carroll is one of the favorites after the left-hander batted .285 in the regular season. He’s carried that over into the postseason, where he’s slashed .295/.396/.455/.851 with a double and two home runs, along with six RBI. Along with a solid glove in right field, he’s one of the top base-stealing threats in this series. He had 54 in the regular season and he’s swiped four this postseason. He’s a catalyst at the top of the order and if the Diamondbacks win this series, he’ll be a big reason why.

Brandon Pfaadt, P

Game 1 starter Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are going to get a lot of attention. But after a rough regular season for Pfaadt, the rookie has turned things around in the postseason. Before October, he was 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA. But in four postseason starts he has a 2.70 ERA. He hasn’t taken a decision, but in 16 2/3 inning he’s allowed just 15 hits, five runs and has struck out 22 against three walks. Given that Pfaadt is this rotation’s third postseason starter, he will be a key part of this series. His first career start came against Texas on May 3 and he allowed nine hits and seven runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Rangers will get a chance to see how far he’s come.

Paul Sewald, P

Sewald has been impressive in a closer role for the Diamondbacks. He’s 1-0 with six saves in six opportunities with a 0.00 ERA. He’s pitched eight innings, given up three hits, struck out 11 and walked one. He’s been as close to a lead-pipe lock in the ninth inning with a lead as you’ll find in this postseason. The former Seattle Mariners reliever has experience against the Rangers and has brought stability to a young staff.

Torey Lovullo, Manager

This is Lovullo’s first World Series as a manager, but it’s not his first World Series. He won a World Series ring as a coach with the Boston Red Sox in 2013. The former journeyman player got the Arizona job in 2017 and led the D-backs to 93 wins in his first season. That year they lost in the NLDS to the Dodgers. Arizona missed the postseason for five straight seasons after that but they had a winning record twice in that span. The Diamondbacks stuck with Lovullo, he remained patient as Arizona rebuilt itself after a 52-win 2021 season and everyone in the organization is reaping the rewards.

World Series Schedule (all times CT)

Friday: Game 1 Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Saturday: Game 2 Arizona at Texas, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Monday: Game 3 Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Tuesday: Game 4 Texas at Arizona, FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Wednesday: Game 5 Texas at Arizona (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Friday, Nov. 3: Game 6 Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 4: Game 7 Arizona at Texas (if necessary), FOX (7:03 p.m.)

Rangers Dish on Diamondbacks

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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