The Rangers took a commanding 3-1 series lead with an 11-7 victory Halloween night. The win was Texas’ 10th consecutive road win during the playoffs, good for the longest streak in MLB postseason history.
Nathan Eovaldi will look to clinch the World Series against Arizona ace Zac Gallen. This is a rematch of Game 1 when the Rangers opened the series with a win. Neither starter looked good, but were covered by their bullpens.
We may have one game left in the 2023 baseball season. It’s sad, but if this is it, it would be because the Rangers won their first World Series championship.
Let’s look at current World Series betting odds and determine the best bets and props for Game 5 between the Rangers and Dbacks.
Rangers vs Diamondbacks Game 5 Odds
Per these World Series odds, it is no surprise that Texas are heavy favorites to win it all, especially in a game that can close out the series. The Game 5 odds are tight in part because Gallen is Arizona’s best pitcher and has been at his best at home.
Rangers vs Diamondbacks Game 5 Prediction
Rangers 5, Diamondbacks 4
This could be a completely different series if it weren’t for the Rangers dominating with timely hits. Arizona has been the better hitting team, but have found ways to run themselves out of runs, or not stringing hits together enough.
Game 4 was odd because it was a bullpen game for both teams, and gauging both offenses in an 18-run outpouring would be foolhardy. The best thing that can be said is Texas out-slugged Arizona in a World Series oddity.
Looking at the starting pitchers, they have swing-and-miss stuff, it’s just weather they miss bats (Eovaldi) or the strike zone (Gallen). Both can also be the reason their team wins because they have showed that plenty in the past.
The 33-year old Eovaldi has given up more runs than in his previous start in two outing, and has allowed 1, 1, 3, 2, and 5 runs in his five outings. What has also been present is strikeouts; sometimes the runs get scored and you miss bats anyways.
Game 1 was by far his worst start according to Baseball Reference’s Championship Win Probability Added metric. He subtracted 11% in win probability with his outing. That was 12% worse than his start against Baltimore in the AL Wild Card round.
Gallen has allowed at least two runs and two walks in every outing this postseason. His 18:13 K/BB ratio is not MLB starter quality, especially against a Rangers lineup that has averaged four walks per game in the Fall Classic. If he has a repeat of Game 1 with four free passes by himself, the series will end.
Rangers vs Diamondbacks Game 5 Best Bet
WS Game 5 odds posted are as of Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 12:30 p.m. from the sportsbook listed.
Over 8.5 Runs Scored (-114)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Only one game this series has finished with lower than 10 runs. It will be interesting to see if the Rangers piggyback Eovaldi with Jon Gray, who has allowed as many runs in the World Series as you and I. Since being moved to the bullpen for the postseason, Gray has allowed one earned run in 5.1 innings pitched.
If he goes, we either see the Dbacks offense disappear, or we see a blowup that we haven’t seen the veteran pitcher have to recover from.
Arizona has a group of their higher leverage arms ready for tonight, but none of them can/have carried the load like Gray this series. Both offenses have shown that they can humble the best their opponent has to offer.
Rangers vs Diamondbacks Game 5 Props
Zac Gallen Over 15.5 Outs Recorded (+105)
BetMGM Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Gallen has been bad, I get it. He’s still topped this number in three of five postseason starts and is the guy the Dbacks want on the mound to keep their season alive. He may not get Arizona a win, but he will pitch long enough to keep them hanging around.
For a look at current betting for World Series MVP, take a look at our series MVP page.
