MLB

ESPN 700 Staff World Series Predictions

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ESPN

Jordan Bianucci 

Isn’t this what we all expected, back in spring training some eight months ago? That it would all return to the Arizona sunshine come late October for a Rangers-Diamondbacks World Series? No, no one expected this. Here’s what we can expect from this series: Arizona’s young, superb defensive outfield—perhaps the game’s best will attempt to track down balls ripped into the gaps by the Rangers’ powerful lineup. We can expect Bruce Bochy to rely on his starters to go deep into ballgames, at least by postseason standards, as the Texas bullpen has been iffy at times. Conversely, Torey Lovullo will get the ball into the hands of his excellent bullpen as soon as possible. We can also look forward to Arizona’s aggressive base running from likely Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll, and stolen bases (the D-backs have sixteen of them in the postseason). My prediction? The Rangers will ultimately out-slug the National League champs and win this series in six. However, if this postseason has taught us anything, it’s that predictions are a fool’s errand, which makes for very exciting baseball.

Alonso Sarinana of the Bleed Los Podcast 

The Diamondbacks and Rangers, the World Series everyone penciled in back when pitchers and catchers reported. As a fan of baseball and the beauty of the game, I like this series. The Diamondbacks are ahead of schedule on contending. The Rangers were aggressive the last two off seasons and made some big time moves, mixed in with other solid acquisitions.
This series will be interesting because the Rangers offense has been white hot all postseason, solid starting pitching, with a questionable bullpen. The Diamondbacks have a balanced line up, that’s been managed soundly by Torey Lovullo all post season long. Like the Rangers, they to have some questions with back end pitching. In the season series, Brandon Pfaadt made his debut, allowing seven runs in 4 2/3 innings before the Dbacks came back to win it. The regular season series was split 1-1. In this series there has to be a winner. And the Rangers’ explosive offense will be difficult to keep at bay.
Rangers in 6

James Peterson

Well, I was wrong about the Phillies. But I was feeling really good about them winning it all until game 6 of the NLCS. Instead, we got one of the most unlikely World Series matchups in recent memory. The Texas Rangers vs the Arizona Diamondbacks. Texas has never won a World Series title and Arizona hasn’t been to Fall Classic since they their only championship 22 years ago. Should be fun! Arizona is a great story and no matter what happens they and their fans should feel really good about this season. But I gotta take the Rangers. They have the starting pitching with 2 seasoned aces who’ve won on this stage before in Nathan Eovaldi and Max Scherzer. They’ve got the hitting with Corey Seager and the magnificent Adolis Garcia. And even though it’s been shaky at times, they have good talent in the bullpen led by closer Jose Leclerc.
Texas over Arizona in 6 games

Brice Larson 

As you can see by all of the other predictions (and most predictions from the national “experts”)…

ITS THE DIAMONDBACKS AGAINST THE WORLD.

How do you keep doubting this young squad that has found a way to keep winning even when their backs were against the wall in a pivotal series on the road at Philidelphia? They have continued to prove everyone wrong, including the national talking heads that can’t comprehend a team like Arizona making the World Series. The number one thing I am looking for matchup wise, is the new analytical approach of Arizona’s Lovullo vs the old school Managing style of Texas’ Bochy. Watch for pitchers to go deep into the game for the Rangers & on the other side you won’t see Arizona’s pitchers face the Rangers lineup for a 3rd time. We will see what style pays off throughout this series.

I’m backing the Diamondbacks to win in 7.

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