We’re two games into the 2023
World Series and starting to get an idea of how the matchup might shake out. It seemed unthinkable that these two teams would make it this far a month ago, but they each have picked up a massive win to leave the series tied heading to the desert for Game 3.
Here’s a look at the massive moments that have defined this series so far, and storylines to keep an eye on as the quest for a championship continues.
Corey Seager and Adolis García
Right now it’s Corey Seager’s teammate, Adolis García, who’s the favorite to win World Series MVP, listed at or around +240 to do so at various sports betting apps, but García never would’ve had his chance in the spotlight with a walkoff home run if it weren’t for Seager’s heroics.
Seager already has one World Series MVP award under his belt, earned with the Dodgers in 2020, and he’s an excellent bet to double down on his postseason dominance after saving Game 1 for the Rangers.
Texas trailed 5-3 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, and center fielder Leody Taveras drew a walk out of the nine hole against Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald — then a perfect six-for-six on save opportunities to begin the postseason — to spark a rally.
Per ESPN, Arizona still had a 77.5 percent chance of winning following Taveras’ walk, but Seager brought that margin back down to earth with a first-pitch, two-run homer that tied the game at five.
That set the stage for García’s walk-off blast to the opposite field in the eleventh inning, and the two Rangers sluggers are first and second in odds to win the series MVP trophy because of it. ESPN Bet is expected to launch in more than a dozen states, so check
the ESPN Bet Promo Code and its offers if you want to bet on Seager, García, or any other player, sport, or team this fall. This way, you'll know you’re locking in the best possible odds of winning big.
Ketel Marte
The slick-fielding second baseman may be a longer shot — although not by much — to win the World Series MVP trophy than some of the other players on this list, but that doesn’t stop him from being the country’s MVP.
Marte secured a free taco for everyone in the country during Game 1 Friday night when he became the first base runner to swipe a bag during the series as part of Taco Bell’s “Steal a Base, Steal a Taco” campaign that has run every year since 2007.
The 30 year old’s excellent performance goes beyond his status as the Taco Hero, though, as Marte set a Major League record this postseason with a hit in each of the 18 games he’s played to begin his playoff career. He was named the MVP of the National League Championship Series with a .387 batting average, including four doubles and a triple, in the seven game set against the Phillies, and could be an excellent bet to run it back once again if his hot-hitting ways continue.
Diamondbacks Rotation
Here’s another two for the price of one on postseason heroes, but this time from the Diamondbacks’ perspective. The Diamondbacks’ starting pitchers have outperformed their Rangers’ counterparts to begin the series, with Zac Gallen narrowly outdueling Nathan Eovaldi in Game 1 before
Merrill Kelly spun a gem in Game 2.
Kelly went seven strong innings against the Rangers’ potent offense, allowing just three hits and one run — via the long ball — while striking out nine Texas batters. As such, he’s listed with the sixth-best odds of claiming the World Series MVP trophy at roughly +1600… but could be an excellent sleeper pick as the series continues.
Kelly’s efforts helped, obviously, but they weren’t entirely needed in Game 2: that’s because the Diamondbacks blew the Rangers out of the water, 9-1, tagging Texas starter Jordan Montgomery for four runs before piling on against a shaky Rangers bullpen in the late innings.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Diamondbacks’ starters continue to outduel the Rangers in Game 3. Rookie pitcher Brandon Pfaadt has proven himself in a big way for Arizona this postseason, turning in a 2.70 ERA over 16.2 innings so far. He’ll have his work cut out for him in the next game, facing three-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer, but ‘Mad Max’ has been hobbled with a strained shoulder for much of the past two months.
Pfaadt has already subverted expectations this October after a lackluster regular season, but can he continue that trend on the game’s brightest stage?
