DBacks vs Rangers Game 1 Predictions, Player-Prop Picks & Odds

• Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers Game 1 takes place tonight in the 2023 World Series
• Texas RF Adolis Garcia has homered in four straight games
• See the Game 1 Diamondbacks vs Rangers odds, picks, and player props

The Texas Rangers (99-75, 51-43 home) continue their quest for the franchise’s first World Series title tonight as they host the Arizona Diamondbacks (93-81, 47-42 away) in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series.

First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 pm ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. Oddsmakers list the Rangers are sizable home favorites to take an early lead in the best-of-seven series.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Texas Rangers Odds for Game 1

Texas is -160 home chalk in Friday’s MLB odds with the DBacks listed at +135. The over/under is at just 8.0 despite the last six Ranger games – and eight of the last nine – exceeding that number.

Odds as of Oct. 27 at Caesars Sportsbook. Check out the ESPN Bet promo code closer to Thanksgiving  for the latest on America’s next sportsbook. 

Texas reached the World Series in the MLB playoff bracket thanks to a thrilling seven-game comeback win over division-rival Houston in the American League Championship Series, dominating Games 6 and 7 (9-2 and 11-4) thanks to an offensive explosion.

The Diamondbacks also overcame a 3-2 deficit in the NLCS against Philadelphia, but it was more thanks to dominant pitching during a pair of 5-1 and 4-2 road victories at Citizens Bank Park.

The updated World Series odds list the Rangers as an even bigger favorite, currently -176 on average to win their first championship. Arizona comes into the series at +144 to win its second World Series and first since 2001.

Arizona vs Texas Game 1 Starting Pitchers

With both teams having multiple days off, they’re able to roll out their number-one starters for Game 1 of the World Series. For Texas, that means veteran Nathan Eovaldi taking the mound, opposite Arizona ace Zac Gallen.

Zac Gallen vs Nathan Eovaldi

*All statistics in table from 2023 regular season. 

While their regular-season numbers are very similar, Eovaldi has been much more effective in the playoffs. The 33-year-old righty is 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA and 0.96 WHIP including 28 strikeouts in just 26.0 innings and a phenomenal 7-to-1 K/BB ratio.

Gallen is 2-2 but sporting a 5.24 ERA and ugly 1.48 WHIP in 22.1 playoff innings to date, registering just 13 strikeouts in the process. He’s allowed a concerning six home runs (along with nine walks) in his four postseason starts, including five longballs in his last two starts during the NLCS (both losses).

Gallen started two of Arizona’s four games against Texas in the regular season; the first was a mediocre five-inning outing in which he allowed three runs on seven hits with six Ks during a 6-4 Ranger victory. The second was an outstanding three-hit, one-run performance with 11 strikeouts over just six innings in a 6-3 Dback win.

Cumulatively, the Ranger hitters have a .256/.218./.384 slashline against Gallen with just two home runs in 86 at-bats (one from Mitch Garver and one from Robbie Grossman).

Eovaldi didn’t start against Arizona in the regular season and, having spent his entire career in the AL, has minimal history against this Arizona lineups. Only three DBack hitters have faced him before: Gurriel is 7-for-18 (.389) with two homers and five RBI; Longoria is 3-for-12 (.250) with one RBI; and Tommy Pham is 2-for-6 (.333) with one RBI.

DBacks vs Rangers Player Props (Game 1)

The shortest odds to hit a home run in Friday’s MLB player props belong to none other than ALCS MVP Adolis Garcia at +255. Garcia was nearly unstoppable in the final four game against the Astros, mashing five home runs and a preposterous 13 RBI in 18 plate appearances.

Gallen and Eovaldi are both listed with an outs-recorded prop of 15.5, though Eovaldi is a -135 favorite to go over than number while Gallen is a +105 underdog. Both will need one out in the sixth inning to reach the over of 16 outs.

DBacks vs Rangers Game 1 Predictions

The difference between Eovaldi’s and Gallen’s postseason performances has been stark, and Gallen’s concerning numbers continue a downward trajectory from the latter parts of the regular season. His ERA in the first half of the season was a Cy Young-worthy 3.04, but that increased to 4.03 in the second half and 4.17 in September and October.

That being said, Gallen has a solid history against this Ranger lineup and +135 is an enticing price on a DBacks upset. The way Arizona’s bullpen has been pitching in the playoffs – a 5-0 cumulative record with a 2.94 ERA over 49.0 innings – Gallen won’t be allowed to flounder if he doesn’t have his A stuff on Friday night.

I’m also going to bank on Ketel Marte continuing his 16-game hit streak and pair him in a hits parlay with two players who have a solid history against Eovaldi: Gurriel and Pham.

ARI vs TEX Game 1 Picks:

• Diamondbacks moneyline (+135)
• Gallen under 15.5 outs (-135)
• Marte, Pham, and Gurriel all over 0.5 hits (+180)