We’re here with our World Series Game 2 preview for Saturday night. Game one delivered all the action that we could hope for, and this series between a pair of plucky underdogs is certainly shaping up to be a good one. We’re giving you the lowdown on every aspect of the game as well as some angles you might think about laying down on. So come check out these World Series Game 2 predictions.
Go here for daily free MLB picks!
Rangers vs. Diamondbacks World Series Game 2 Preview & Predictions
Rangers vs. Diamondbacks Game Information & Odds
When: Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 8:03 PM ET
Where: Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas
How to Watch on TV: FOX
Pitching Matchups
Texas Rangers: Jordan Montgomery
Post Season: 3-0, 2.16 ERA, 25.0 IP, 17 K, 4 BB, 1.28 WHIP
Regular Season: 10-11, 3.20 ERA, 188.2 IP, 166 K, 48 BB, 1.19 WHIP
Arizona Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly
Post Season: 2-1, 2.65 ERA, 17.0 IP, 19 K, 8 BB, 1.00 WHIP
Regular Season: 12-8, 3.29 ERA, 177.2 IP, 187 K, 69 BB, 1.19 WHIP
The Diamondbacks run Merill Kelly out to the bump for World Series Game 2. Kelly has been hit or miss in his three post-season appearances so far. He kicked off the campaign with a 6.1 inning shutout in which he dominated the Dodgers. He held them to just three hits and stuck out five. His second start was the shakey one – getting tagged for four runs in a 10-0 loss to the Phillies.
However, he bounced back with an eight-strikeout performance in Game 6 of that series to send it to the decider. It seems that whenever he’s able to use all of his pitches effectively, he cruises. On the opposite side of the coin, when he struggles with one or two of them, his whole game suffers.
Jordan Montgomery has had a much different experience in the playoffs so far. He’s been largely on point for the majority of the games. His lone hiccup was a four run outing against the Orioles, but the Rangers managed to win that one anyway. He also appeared in relief for the squad in game 7 of the ALCS, which put his start for this game in question. According to the Rangers’ brass, he’s ready to go for this one with virtually no restrictions, which is huge for the Rangers.
Keys To the Game
The biggest key to game two for the Diamondbacks is going to be to throw strikes. In game 1, they were up in the early part of the game, and the bullpen largely wasn’t easy to hit. However, in 5.1 innings of pitching, the bullpen allowed 6 walks, and it led to 3 runs and a Game 1 loss. The team, in general, but especially the relievers, will have to keep guys off the bases.
For the Rangers, the biggest key to this series is to get some longevity out of their starter on Saturday. Montgomery is coming off a relief appearance and wasn’t even sure that he’d start Game 2. Now that he is, it’s his job to take a little pressure off of this bullpen. They threw 6.1 innings on Friday, and we’re throwing high-pressure innings the whole time. If they’re going to get through a long and close series, which I imagine this will be, they need Montgomery to eat up a good chunk of Game 2.
Rangers vs. Diamondbacks Prediction
The Diamondbacks seemed to be the better team in game 1 until the bullpen started to fall apart a bit. They were hitting better early on, and they seemed to be in control of the game in general. When they did fall apart, it was in the least common way for their team to do so – control issues. They had only walked 3.35 guys per game over the season but walked ten on Friday. On one hand, that might alarm some people. On the other, it just seems like an anomaly that probably won’t happen again.
Some might be worried about whether Kelly will be his good self or his less good version, as he’s bounced between the two. Maybe I’m an optimist, but I see him righting the ship along with the Diamondback’s bullpen on Saturday.
The Pick: Diamondbacks ML (+135)
Player Prop
The Diamondbacks entered the World Series as an aggressive team on the bases. That certainly didn’t change in Game 1. They swiped four bags to kick off the series. Yet, one of the names we all expected to swipe a bag didn’t get any of them. Corbin Carroll has been hitting the ball and reaching base far more in the last two games. I think that opens up the opportunity for him to snag a stolen base here.
The Pick: Corbin Carroll Over 0.5 Stolen Bases (+280)
You can also get even more World Series game 2 predictions by listening to the MLB Gambling Podcast, which includes an NLCS preview. They’ve got daily episodes with MLB picks to make you the smartest guy (or gal) at the bar.