The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers Defy 1750/1 World Series Odds
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers are all set to face off in the 2023 World Series. What makes this matchup even more surprising is that it was highly improbable at the start of the season.
This exciting baseball showdown commences on Friday in Arlington, Texas, with the Rangers' impressive regular-season record of 90-72 overtaking the Diamondbacks' 84-78 season. The classic series is a first-time encounter between these two teams in the playoffs.
After both the Rangers and Diamondbacks had a disappointing 2022 season, with each of them failing to qualify for postseason play, oddsmakers then offered a Texas-Arizona World Series at an astonishing 1,750/1 (+175000) - an indicative likelihood of 0.06%. A $10 wager on this long shot would have fetched you a hefty $17,500.
As per sports betting tracking platform SportsOddsHistory, the 2023 World Series comes in as the second least-expected showdown in MLB history, only slightly outdone by the 1991 series between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves. Both teams were at the very bottom of their respective divisions during the previous season.
Odds for the World Series
The World Series odds have been opened in favor of the Rangers, who are tagged as the series favorites. With DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM going for a Texas win at a range of -170 to -175, Caesars Sportsbook slightly tilts the scales further towards the Rangers at -185. A $100 bet on these lines returns $54-$58. The odds suggest a probability of approximately 65%.
The underdog label goes to the Diamondbacks, who have roughly 40% chances of winning, as per odds standing at +150. A winning $100 bet here would reward you with a cool $150.
In terms of the MVP for the World Series, it's Rangers' in-form shortstop Corey Seager who leads the betting pack. He's been on fire this postseason with a .333 average and three home runs, six RBIs under his belt.
Performance of the Teams
After having victory in their grasp and winning the first two games of the American League Championship Series, the Rangers sadly lost the next three to the Houston Astros, forcing a game seven. Seager was instrumental in clinching the series for Texas, racking up three hits out of five, including a solo homer in the decisive third.
A confident Seager summed up their experience, saying, "We never lost faith in our abilities." This victory is their first shot at the World Series since 2011. The Rangers have reached the World Series twice previously - in 2010 and 2011 but unfortunately lost on both occasions.
The Diamondbacks make their first visit to the final stage of the competition since the 2001 World Series, where they became champions by defeating the New York Yankees in yet another thrilling seven-game series. The Diamondbacks were just four years old when they were awarded an expansion franchise in 1995, and they played their first game in 1998.
Although the Diamondbacks' win on Tuesday night in Philadelphia was a joyous moment for the bookmakers, the betting activity primarily favored the home team, the Phillies.
Upcoming Lineup
The first throw is slated for 8:03 p.m. EST on Friday. While neither side has confirmed their pitching choices yet, Arizona is likely to pick one of their aces - either Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly - for game one.
Texas, on the other hand, will probably bank on the surprising talent of Jordan Montgomery, who has become the team's ace since senior players deGrom and Scherzer suffered injuries this season.
Scherzer is back in the running after starting Monday's game seven against the Astros, but not without hurdles. He struggled to complete two and a third innings, and has been reported to have a fresh thumb injury. deGrom, meanwhile, finished playing for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June.
Caesars Sportsbook still goes for the Rangers to win game one, at -170. The over-under is set at 8.5 runs.
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Source: www.casino.org
