After a pair of exciting championship series that both ended in a deciding Game 7, the Arizona Diamondbacks will take on the Texas Rangers in the World Series. Texas will host Game 1 at Globe Life Field on Friday, Oct. 24 in Arlington, Texas.
Game 1 will likely feature Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen taking on Rangers veteran Nathan Eovaldi.
Let’s look at current betting odds and determine the best bets and props for Game 1 between the Diamondbacks and Rangers.
Diamondbacks vs Rangers Game 1 Prediction
Diamondbacks 2, Rangers 5
Game 1 has the potential to be an incredible pitcher’s duel between Gallen and Eovaldi. However, Gallen has not looked like himself recently, allowing nine earned runs over 11 innings in the NLCS.
The 28-year-old managed to hold the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers to just four runs over 11.1 innings during the first two rounds of the postseason but was a net negative against Philadelphia. In addition, Gallen posted a 4.42 ERA on the road this season, compared to a 2.47 mark at home, so this trip to Texas may not be pleasant.
On the other hand, Eovaldi has been a machine all postseason. The right-hander carries a 2.42 ERA over 26 frames this postseason with 28 strikeouts and four walks.
Eovaldi has allowed no more than two earned runs in a postseason game this year.
When considering offense, each team has had success this postseason with the long ball. However, it was small ball that allowed Arizona to defeat the Phillies by getting aggressive on the basepaths during the final two games of the series. They will need to keep the pressure on Texas in Game 1 if they want to hang with a red-hot Rangers lineup.
This has the potential to be a fantastic series, but I expect the Rangers to take care of business in Game 1 in front of their home crowd.
Diamondbacks vs Rangers Game 1 Best Bet
Rangers -1.5 (+135) vs Dimaondbacks
BetMGM Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Rangers have the ability to put a crooked number on the scoreboard at any moment.
If you add their lineups’ dangerous potential with the recent track record of both starting pitchers, especially Gallen’s road struggles, the run line looks like a decent investment in Game 1 as our MLB Play of the Day.
Diamondbacks vs Rangers Game 1 Props
This section will be updated once prop bets are available.