After a thrilling Game 1 that saw the Texas Rangers defeat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 in extra innings, Game 2 of the 2023 World Series will be played on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Rangers shortstop Corey Seager delivered a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to send Game 1 to extra innings before postseason legend Adolis Garcia hammered a walk-off blast in the bottom of the 11th.
The probable pitching matchup for Game 2 will be Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly taking on Rangers southpaw Jordan Montgomery.
Let’s dive in and determine the best bets and props for Game 2 between the Diamondbacks and Rangers.
Diamondbacks vs Rangers Game 2 Prediction
Diamondbacks 3, Rangers 4
The good news for Arizona is that Kelly has been fantastic in the postseason. The veteran has a 2.65 ERA over 17 frames with 19 strikeouts and 1.00 WHIP.
However, the bad news is that the opposing starting pitcher has been even better.
Montgomery has posted a 2.16 ERA over 25 innings with 17 punchouts and even came out of the bullpen for 2.1 scoreless frames in Game 7 of the ALCS.
I expect both starting pitchers to keep the opposing lineups in check over the first five innings before giving way to the bullpens. This is where this entire series is going to be decided, by the bullpens.
Arizona’s Kevin Ginkel has been lights out this postseason but threw 28 pitches in Game 1 and will likely be unavailable. That said, if the Diamondbacks decide to deploy the right-hander regardless, he does not perform well on zero days rest, allowing 16 earned runs and 15 walks over 31 innings.
I expect a less chaotic end to what should be another close game won by the Rangers.
Diamondbacks vs Rangers Game 2 Best Bet
Under 8.5 Runs (+100)
BetRivers Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
As mentioned above, I expect a low-scoring affair in Game 2 with Kelly and Montgomery on the mound.
There will still be several runs scored because it will be impossible to silence these lineups completely, but I would still bank on the Under hitting in Game 2.
Diamondbacks vs Rangers Game 2 Props
Gabriel Moreno: Over 1.5 Total Bases (+140)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
I am not one to lean too heavily on batter versus pitcher data, but in this case, I think it’s worth citing.
Gabriel Moreno is 4-for-7 against Montgomery with a double and a home run.
Yes, it is a small sample size, but at +140, it is well worth the investment.
