The 2023 World Series had an off day on Sunday. But it will resume on Monday with the series knotted at 1-1. The Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks will face one another in Game 3, a game that will come from Phoenix (6 PM ET). This will be the first time the World Series will return to the city since Luis Gonzalez walked off Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. My Rangers vs Diamondbacks prediction is that this game will be a defensive battle.
Texas vs Arizona Prediction: Latest MLB Headlines
Texas won the opening game 6-5 thanks to some late-inning heroics. At the time, it looked like they might march out to a 2-0 lead. However, Arizona would more than just answer back. They claimed Game 2 of the World Series with authority, beating the Rangers 9-1. If the Diamondbacks can win all of their home games, then they would be the 2023 World Series champions.
Yet, the Rangers have actually won ALL of their road games in these 2023 playoffs. They should not be short on confidence just because they will be in a hostile setting.
Starting Pitching: Max Scherzer vs Brandon Pfaadt
The starting pitching for Game 3 will be Max Scherzer for Texas and Brandon Pfaadt for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Scherzer has been used lightly in the postseason. Through just 6.2 innings of work, he has posted a 9.45 ERA in the playoffs. The veteran has given up two home runs in the playoffs, a lot for such a low-inning count.
He last appeared in a game on October 23rd, meaning when Monday night comes around he will have had a full six days off. Quite frankly, it's difficult to know what to expect from him. But you have to like his experience and the rest he has had.
Pfaadt, despite a 3-9 regular season with a 5.72 ERA, has been used fairly heavily in the 2023 playoffs. Furthermore, the rookie has somehow delivered.
You keep waiting for him to fall flat on his faith amidst the growing pressure of these late-season games. Yet, he has allowed just five earned runs in 16.2 innings pitched. The Diamondbacks do have a tendency to remove him from games before much trouble brews. Some might criticize them for that but the bottom line is that you don't criticize the managers of league champs too much. Arizona management has the NLCS in their pocket and seems to know what they are doing, even if the pundits are perplexed.
Rangers vs Diamondbacks Prediction: Betting Tips
As a side note, if this series goes seven games, then the Game 3 pitching match-up might be the Game 7 pitching matchup. That's not a certainty but four games between starts is somewhat how the MLB playoffs work.
Game 3 is one where I think bettors should go with the UNDER for total runs. It is set at 9.0 and odds of -110 (bet365). Firstly, you have to know that Arizona simply won't let Pfaadt give up too many runs without pulling him. Secondly, you have to think Scherzer on plenty of rest will at least lead to an average performance. Lastly, you have to like the day off on Sunday from a defensive perspective for the bullpen. Days off in baseball favor the pitching arms more than the hitters. 9.0 looks a bit high for this game for total runs and my recommendation is to take the UNDER (-110).
Featured: NFL LIVE POWER RANKINGS
