The Texas Rangers got a huge win on the road in Game 3 of the World Series – but it was costly. Texas’ Game 3 starter, Max Scherzer, left the game after three scoreless innings with back stiffness, forcing the Rangers to use their Game 4 starter, Jon Gray, in the game. He went on to pitch three strong innings for the win. But who is pitching Game 4 now? Plus, will Texas star Adolis Garcia, who left Game 3 with a side and/or back injury, be in the lineup on Tuesday? Will the Rangers ever lose a road playoff game again? Here is your World Series Game 4 preview.
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Rangers vs. Diamondbacks World Series Game 4 Preview & Predictions
Rangers vs. Diamondbacks Game Information & Odds
When: Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at 8:03 PM ET
Where: Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona
How to Watch on TV: FOX
Pitching Matchups
Texas Rangers: TBD
Arizona Diamondbacks: TBD – “bullpen day”
A bullpen game in Game 4 of the World Series?! What has become of this sport called baseball?! Hey, it worked for the Diamondbacks in Game 4 of the NLCS, so I guess they feel comfortable going back to that well again for Game 4 of the World Series. In the game against the Phillies, Arizona used eight pitchers who squeaked out a 6-5 win for them while striking out 11. The pen has been stellar for Arizona, save for Game 1 of this series, where they imploded and blew the game.
But Texas doesn’t appear to be in any better shape for Game 4 as of this writing, as they used Game 4’s starter, Jon Gray, in Game 3. This may end up being a bullpen day for them as well.
Keys To the Game
Pitching has to be the key to this game. Which pitchers will be able to eat up innings for both teams and put zeros up on the board will be the biggest deciding factor in this pivotal game. Arizona’s bullpen has been pretty solid for them, so they probably have a slight advantage here. Plus, they planned to lean on the pen in Game 4, while Texas has been thrust into this position last minute.
Obviously, the other elephant in the room is Adolis Garcia’s health. While I’m no doctor, nor do I play one on TV, Garcia’s injury did look serious enough to make him miss time. If you can’t rotate due to a back and/or oblique injury, you can’t swing a bat. Not only will his absence be a huge blow to the Rangers’ offense, but he also brings it on the defensive end – look no further than his throw that nailed Christian Walker at the plate in Game 3.
Rangers vs. Diamondbacks Prediction
The Rangers are a perfect 9-0 on the road these playoffs, but I’m predicting the streak comes to an end on Tuesday. With Garcia out (probably), plus the team having to scramble to get their pitching plans in place, I think this is the Snakes’ chance to even up the series and get a win on their home field. Arizona at pick ’em money is the play.
The Pick: Diamondbacks ML (-110)
Player Prop
This will surely be a chalky line once it’s posted, but you’ve got to ride the hot bat. And Ketel Marte’s bat is historically hot, as he’s riding a record-breaking 19-game postseason hitting streak. Let’s bet on him making it 20 in a row on Tuesday, regardless of who takes the hill for the visitors. Marte has hit everyone he’s faced thus far, anyhow.
The Pick: Ketel Marte Over 0.5 Hits (TBD)
You can also get even more World Series Game 4 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.
