Scouts view the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers as evenly matched teams, flawed but bursting with momentum and confidence as they head into the Fall Classic.
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Christian Walker, left, scores in front of Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim during a game earlier this season in Arlington, Texas. Neither team was expected to reach the World Series this year, but that’s exactly where they find themselves. Game 1 is Friday night in Texas.
“I think it points more toward the unpredictability of bullpens than anything else,” one National League scout said. “Everybody in the bullpen has a good arm. Right now, Ginkel can’t be touched. Sewald comes in and he’s going to get three outs before he gets in trouble. They’re blessed right now. God knows a series could turn around and go the other way. That’s the nature of bullpens: you can’t trust ’em, can’t live without ’em.
In October, Texas’ bullpen has converted all three of its save opportunities and won enough lopsided games to make many late-game situations moot. The heightened possibility of a late-game implosion arguably makes the World Series matchup more compelling. At the very least, it leaves two fan bases praying no game goes to extra innings.One National League scout was so blown away by both teams’ makeup, that he said he could not have predicted a better World Series matchup.
“Just enough youth to light a fire under the of the veteran guys, and just enough wisdom to rein in and focus the younger guys,” the NL scout said. “The maturity of Carter’s at-bats have also probably surpassed expectations,” said another AL scout, “but that’s been true since his debut, so not really new postseason info.”Brandon Pfaadt and Jordan Montgomery are not household names. Fans did not herald their midseason arrivals in Phoenix and Arlington, respectively, with expectations that they would complete a championship-caliber rotation.
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