MLB:

World Series

The Arizona Diamondbacks-Texas Rangers showdown wasn’t quite what area baseball fans were hoping to see in the Fall Classic.

But to many, it’s inarguable proof that smaller franchises can earn a spot on the game’s biggest and brightest stage if they get hot at the right time, and it’s accompanied with solid pitching and timely hitting.

The Rangers ($195,869,490) are ninth and the D-Backs ($116,471,292) rank 21st out of 30 MLB programs in payroll.

Texas (90-72) shared the American League West title with Houston, and they had the third most wins in the AL, trailing just Baltimore and Tampa Bay.

And Arizona (84-78) was fifth in the National League, following Atlanta, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Philadelphia.

It wouldn’t be difficult to defend the position that Arizona had the more impressive route to the World Series.

They went 2-0 at Milwaukee in the wild card round, 3-0 against a Dodgers franchise that won 100 games, finished 16 games ahead of the D-Backs in the National League West and spent $106 million more in payroll.

In the NLCS, Arizona was down 2-0 and 3-2, but rallied to win in seven.

Texas paved an incredible path of their own.

They swept Tampa Bay in the wild card, Baltimore in the ALDS, and secured a seven-game series victory over Houston.

Both franchises needed game-seven road victories to set up a first-ever Arizona-Texas World Series.

The Rangers are heavy favorites in Las Vegas.

The opening line has Texas at minus-180 and Arizona +155 to win the series.

For those of you who aren’t gambling degenerates (mostly joking with that phrasing), you’d need to bet $180 to win $100, if choosing the Rangers.

Texas has the home-field advantage.

The Rangers will host games one and two, and six and seven if necessary.

I’ll leave the predictions below to the coaches and players, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t rooting for the D-Backs.

I played baseball at Mt. SAC with Kevin Lidle, and his twin brother, Cory, was selected in the supplemental draft by Arizona.

I helped Cory and his wife Melanie in finding a place next to me in Tempe, and I had the privilege of riding with Melanie to many games, including the first game in franchise history (March 31, 1998) against the Rockies.

I can still remember the ticket having a $21 face-value on it, and a man outside of Bank One Ballpark offered me $1,000 for it.

Luckily, our seats were a couple of rows in front of former Phoenix Suns forward, Tom Chambers, who is 6-foot-11.

The experience of watching games in the family section, parking in the private lot, and being able to wait just outside of the locker room as players, umpires and coaches left, was something I’ll never forget.

One thing that came up in opinions, especially among coaches, was that Bruce Bochy’s experience and success (three WS titles) make Texas a favorite in their minds.

Just below are the postseason stat leaders from both teams, and the predictions.

2023 Postseason Stat Leaders:
Ketel Marte (AD): .358, 19 hits, two HR’s, one triple, five doubles, six runs & seven RBIs
Adolis Garcia (TR): .327, 17 hits, seven HR’s, one double, 10 runs & 20 RBIs
Corey Seager (TR): .333, 15 hits, three HR’s, five doubles, 12 runs & six RBIs
Evan Carter (TR): .308, 12 hits, one HR, six doubles, eight runs & five RBIs
Corbin Carroll (AD): .295, 13 hits, two HR’s, one double, nine runs & six RBIs
Mitch Garber (TR): .294, 10 hits, one HR, six doubles, seven runs & 11 RBIs
Josh Jung (TR): .289, 13 hits, three HR’s, one triple, three doubles, 10 runs & eight RBIs
Gabriel Moreno (AD): .279, 12 hits, three HR’s, one double, three runs & nine RBIs
Lourdes Gurriel (AD): .250, 12 hits, two home runs, six doubles, three runs & six RBIs
Alek Thomas (AD): .212, seven hits, four HR’s, seven runs & six RBIs

Pitching:
Nathan Eovaldi (TR): 4-0, 2.42 ERA & 28 strikeouts in 26 IP
Jordan Montgomery (TR): 3-0, 2.16 ERA & 17 strikeouts in 25 IP
Merrill Kelley (AD): 2-1, 2.65 ERA & 19 strikeouts in 17 IP
Zac Gallen: (AD): 2-2, 5.24 ERA & 13 strikeouts in 22 1/3 IP
Josh Sborz (TR): 0-0, 1.04 ERA, four holds & seven strikeouts in 8 2/3 IP
Brandon Pfaadt (AD): 0-0, 2.70 ERA & 22 strikeouts in 16 2/3 IP
Ryan Thompson (AD): 1-0, 2.53 ERA & eight strikeouts in 10 2/3 IP
Jose Leclerc (TR): 0-1, 4.35 ERA & 10 strikeouts in 10 1/3 IP

PCC coach, Pat McGee:
Winner: Arizona
Why: The D-Backs are obviously on a roll after defeating Milwaukee, LA and Philly, and I like Evan Longoria.
Games: 6

Former Citrus Coach, Skip Claprood
Winner: Texas
Why:
Starters: Texas
Relief: Arizona
1B: Arizona
2B: Even
3B: Texas
SS: Texas
LF: Arizona
CF: Even
RF: Even
DH: Texas

I believe the Series will go seven games. My bet would be on Bruce Bochy. I really enjoyed the execution and the Dbacks applying pressure with their speed, but often speed teams become fearful of failure and turn timid to make a mistake on the bases. Can the four rookies handle the pressure? Texas has the ability to ambush pitchers and that ability could curtail the Dbacks aggressiveness. The opposite can be true if the D-backs jump out in front they could run their way to the title.
But I believe Bochy is the tiebreaker.
Games: 7

Former APU coach, Tony Barbone
Winner: Arizona
Why: I’m sure very few to no one predicted Texas versus Arizona in the World Series. But we all love the story of the underdog, correct? That alone should make it a very fun series for us all to enjoy. The Texas slug versus the tactical pitching of Arizona is what some will focus on. Texas was my first job in professional baseball and Brent Strom, the revered pitching coach of the Diamondbacks, is a close friend from my Expo days for more than 20 years. He is a great guy, he and his wife, Carrie are part of our family BASEBALL energy every year and we get together often when he plays in the LA area.
Old baseball guys always respect their opponent. However, my heart is with Stromie and Arizona. My mind says that good pitching can beat good hitting over time… but it is the year of the unexpected, right? I hope we get a great series and I’ll go with the Diamondbacks in seven
Games: 7

University of La Verne coach, Scott Winterburn:
Winner: Arizona
Why: Both teams playing exciting, dramatic baseball. It seems like Arizona has the type of team that can really roll when they are using their athleticism. It shows up on defense with big plays. They are fast in the middle of the field and in the corner outfield. Their first baseman is a gold glover and plays fast as well. They have a pretty rested Gallen who should be better for them as he has a couple of big game starts under his belt, and the Rangers are early-count free swingers. It should favor the D-backs as all of their staff throws quality pitches and they are rolling pretty good right now, with a lights-out bullpen. Their athleticism shows up on offense with their pressure. Steals, beating out hits, taking extra bases… and maybe Marte playing some of the greatest baseball you’ll see.
Games: 5

Maranatha coach, Matt Shupper:
Winner: Texas
Why: I’m actually pretty excited about this matchup, finally some new teams that get a chance to win it all. Plus Corbin Carroll is becoming one of the most exciting players to watch in baseball. But I give Bochy and the Rangers pitching staff, starters and pen, the advantage.
Games: 7

Chaffey College coach, Andrew Smith:
Winner: Texas
Why: I’ll go with the Rangers in 7 due to Bochy’s experience and I believe Donnie Ecker is the best hitting coach in the game.
Games: 7

South Hills coach, Darren Murphy:
Winner: Texas
Why: It’s tough because every reason I think they will win (underdogs, big wins on the road, down 3-2 last series and come back to win) is what Arizona did too. I think you go with Bochy and experience to get his fourth World Series title.
6 games.
Games: 6

Northview coach Dan Roddy:
Winner: Texas
Why: they have become a team. Many “no name” players have stepped up in spite of losing marquee players (DeGrom, Scherzer etc.) Bochy has done this before, and he’s leading the charge.
Games: 5

Charter Oak coach, Elias Chavez:
Winner: Arizona
Why: I’ve got to go with the D-backs. They’re playing good ball, doing all the little things, playing small-ball, stealing bases and putting pressure on the defense.
Games: 6

St. Francis coach, Shaun Kort:
Winner: Texas
Why: Texas has the better lineup and they have Corey Seager and Bruce Bochy.
Games: 6

Arcadia coach, Nick Lemas
Winner: Texas
Why: I haven’t been able to watch much postseason baseball, but I feel like they’re the better team.
Games: 6

Rio Hondo Prep AD, football & baseball coach, Mark Carson:
Winner: Texas
Why: Corey Seager is a great postseason player and he’s going to have a huge series. And never bet against Bochy.
Games: 7

Covina coach, Tim O’Leary:
Winner: Texas
Why: The Diamondbacks are going to get out-coached.
Games: 6

Former Ayala, current Sunny Hills coach, Chris Vogt:
Winner: Arizona
Why: I think the Rangers are more talented, but the Diamondbacks have momentum, and it just feels like it’s their year.
Games: 5

Upland coach, AJ Garbick:
Winner: Texas
Why: The Rangers have home-field advantage.
Games: 6

Los Osos coach, Travis Kelly:
Winner: Arizona
Why: Their ability to show the world it isn’t about gorilla baseball and that fundamental baseball still wins championship is huge for me. Being an ex-Titan and Bronco, west coast baseball isn’t always the most glamorous, but it shows a team isn’t about themselves. What the Diamondbacks showcased last series (ball in dirt reads, bunts, situational hitting, moving runners over, tagging and pushing the pace) are all ‘old-school’ ideas today, but are what truly can win ball games. And if you have a team that buys in you have a team, not 35 different guys. On the mound, the D-Backs, in my opinion, showed the world that the guys who were late rounders, Jonny no bodies, can get their jobs done and be the best of the best. They showed to me that if you believe in your stuff, live one pitch at a time, control the controlables and control your presence on the mound, you give your team a chance.
Games: 7

Community Christian College coach, Tony Garcia:
Winner: Texas
Why: Bruce Bochy is the why. But it also helps to have the hottest hitter in the playoffs in Adolis García, and veterans that are stellar come playoff time such as Nathan Eovaldi, Corey Seager and Max Scherzer. Playoff tested relievers such as Will Smith and Chapman, and bats like Marcus Semien will be factors. Home field will also make a difference in the World Series environment. The Diamondbacks are a scrappy, tough team and they are hot. For this reason, it will be a seven-game series. Both teams have exciting young players, but the Rangers have a solid mix of veterans and youth.
Games: 7

Arcadia senior, Fernando Palencia:
Winner: Texas
Why: I think it’s going to be the Rangers in six strictly because they have the stronger pitching rotation, and I also feel like their lineup has been more consistent than the D-backs.
Games: 6

San Jose State pitcher, Casey Spencer:
Winner: Texas
Why: I’m picking the Rangers because I don’t want the Diamondbacks to win, and because they have Corey Seager.
Games: 6

Longtime SGV area sportswriter, Steve Ramirez:
Winner: Texas
Why: The Rangers have a better overall team
Games: 7

La Salle senior, David Mysza:
Winner: Texas
Why: Because Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia rake and Seager has won the World Series before.
Games: 7

Maranatha senior, Baron Lutz:
Winner: Texas
Why: I think they’re the easy pick due to their starting pitching staff that consists of veterans, especially playoff veterans like Scherzer and Evoldi. They also just have a more explosive offense with guys like Adolis Garcia and Corey Seager.
Games: 6

UCSD freshman, Garrett Patterson:
Winner: Arizona
Why: They are hot and they have the pitching.
Games: 5

Long Beach State freshman, Justin Santiago:
Winner: Texas
Why: I think their bats stay hot through the World Series
Games: 6

San Dimas senior, Jude Favela:
Winner: Arizona
Why: Because they are a young team, and they’re playing really well together right now.
Games: 7

San Dimas senior, Kasen Khansarinia:
Winner: Texas
Why: Because they’re a super tough team who play for each other. They don’t give up in any circumstances. Also, like Jude said, the Diamondbacks are young, and they don’t have too much experience, so I think the Rangers ultimately win this one.
Games: 6

Ayala senior, sophomore, Caleb Trugman:
Winner: Texas
Why: a lot of the players on the team have experience with big games and I feel their team is a lot deeper. The Rangers took out the Astros, who have been great every year, and I think that was the hardest team in the postseason to face.
Games: 6

Ayala senior, Matt Yarc:
Winner: Arizona
Why: They are a very young and talented squad. Once a team is hot, often times they stay hot and that’s exactly what the D-backs are doing.
Games: 6

St. Francis senior, John Calmette:
Winner: Texas
Why: They have better pitching, in my opinion.
Games: 6

Mt. SAC freshman, Diego Ortiz:
Winner: Arizona
Why: Because they play small ball, have a great bullpen, and they just took out the hottest team in the playoffs.
Games: 6

Cal Poly Pomona freshman, Anthony Vasquez:
Winner: Arizona
Why: They have speed, and most importantly, more momentum than the Rangers, which started in the beginning of the postseason.
Games: 5

World Series Schedule:
10/27: Arizona at Texas
10/28: Arizona at Texas
10/30: Texas at Arizona
10/31: Texas at Arizona
11/1: Texas at Arizona (if necessary)
11/3: Arizona at Texas (if necessary)
11/4: Arizona at Texas (if necessary)