When Is the World Series Against the Rangers? Everything Diamondbacks Fans Need to Know About the Roster

The Fall Classic is just a few hours away. This time around the World Series have the Arizona Diamondbacks facing Texas Rangers in the unlikeliest of all matchups. As the 2023 season races down to its finale, the biggest championship in the baseball world is at stake. With that, it becomes important to make know the where, when and how to watch the 2023 World Series.

In an unprecedented turn of events, both teams transitioned from enduring over 100 losses just two years ago to reaching the World Series. Furthermore, these two teams share an identical 9-3 record in the current month, with both having successfully swept their initial two rounds and persevering through seven games to secure victory in their respective League Championship Series. Will the narrative of the Diamondbacks culminate in achieving greatness after 22 years? For that, it crucial to know how does their team compare to the Rangers?

Where, when, and how to watch the 2023 World Series

The 2023 World Series will commence on October 27, Friday. Texas Rangers get home advantage courtesy of them having better regular season results, 90-72 to Arizona’s 84-78. Hence, the series will begin with the D-backs visiting the Globe Life Field. The series this year is being covered by FOX. The timing and date of the games are as follows –

All timings in ET

Friday, Oct 27

Game 1 – AZ @ TEX, 8 p.m. FOX

Saturday, Oct 28

Game 2 – AZ @ TEX, 8 p.m. FOX

Sunday, Oct 29

Game 3 – TEX @ AZ, 8 p.m. FOX

Monday, Oct 30

Game 4 – TEX @ AZ, 8 p.m. FOX

Tuesday, Nov 1

Game 5 – TEX @ AZ, 8 p.m. FOX

Wednesday, Nov 2

Game 6 – AZ @ TEX, 8 p.m. FOX

Thursday, Nov 3

Game 7 – AZ @ TEX, 8 p.m. FOX

Pre-game coverage will start at 7 p.m. before every game.

Arizona Diamondbacks roster and World Series analysis

Though the Diamondbacks have made it to the World Series, do they possess the wherewithal to go on to win it? Even if the team does not have the home advantage, they can take solace in the fact that the Rangers haven’t impressed at home yet.

While the Rangers maintain an undefeated record of 8-0 in away games, their performance at home is significantly less impressive, with a record of just 1-3. So the advantage might not count for much in actual terms. Now, the fans are already finding correlations between 2001 and 2023.

So how do the Snakes stack up against the Lone Stars? First, let’s just take a moment to understand that Arizona was not at all expected to be a part of the World Series. Their underlying stats are not impressive because they had a negative run differential in the regular season. This is only the second time a team with a negative differential has won the pennant (The other being the Minnesota Twins in 1987 who went on to win the World Series). Hence, the team may not match as well with the Rangers.

Read more – Have the Arizona Diamondbacks Ever Won a World Series? How Did They Qualify for the 2023 Edition?

But the story is not of Diamondbacks matching well. It’s of Diamondbacks punching above their weight. Even though they are only 20th in their opening-day payroll, they’ve reached the Fall Classic. Now what will be their roster heading into the WS?

Ketel Marte (S) 2B
Corbin Carroll (L) CF
Gabriel Moreno (R) C
Christian Walker (R) 1B
Tommy Pham (R) RF
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF
Evan Longoria (R) DH
Emmanuel Rivera (R) 3B
Geraldo Perdomo (S) SS

Not only is Ketel Marte on a 16-game postseason hitting streak, but he was named 2023 NLCS MVP. He’s the one to look out for, as his performances have been heroic till now. Apart from him, another massive contributor is the young star

Corbin Carroll, the right fielder is the breakout young star of the entire 2023 season, the almost certain National League Rookie of the Year. In Game 7 against the Phillies in the NLCS, he had 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. Hence, he is entering the Series with a match-winning performance to his name. But the Rangers have Adolis Garcia as RF, who has hit 7 home runs this postseason, with 4 consecutive ones in the final games of the ALCS. This is an interesting contest.

Christian Walker is pretty much the best defensive first baseman currently. Whereas, the Rangers’ Nathaniel Lowe went from being the weakest to being named the Gold Glove finalist. Apart from this, when it comes to pitching, the teams are evenly matched.  The only difference is that the Rangers have a deep roster of pitchers to select from. Diamondbacks, on the other hand, lack a 4th starter. Hence, depth may come to bite them as the series goes on.

In the end, Arizona Diamondbacks on paper have a better momentum due to them being the Giants layers of this postseason. Their hitting prowess not only matches but sometimes exceeds Rangers, but it’s the pitching where they are lacking. Nonetheless, as the Fall Classic begins, the Snakes do have a chance to slither their way towards the Commissioner’s trophy.

Watch the story – Rangers’ $130 Million Ace Faces Injury Setback In World Series Build-Up