Game 1 was one of the most exciting games in recent history, with the Rangers winning in extra innings in Dallas. After Texas struck first, the D’Backs came roaring back with 5 runs in 3 innings. With his team down 3-5 in the bottom of the 9th, Texas’s Cory Seager hit a 2-run homer to send the game into extras innings.
However, it was Adolis García who was the biggest hero once again, as he belted a walk-off homer in the 11th to give Texas the win in the first extra innings game of the postseason. García now holds the record for most RBI in a single playoffs with 22.
In game 2, Arizona came back with a vengeance, connecting for 16 hits and thrashing the Rangers in a 9-1 victory. Texas’s Jordan Montgomery, who has been good this playoffs, received his first loss of the postseason. 8 D’Back players scored and the team struck out just twice in their game 2 victory. Arizona’s Merril Kelly produced his third 1-run outing of the playoffs, with a spectacular showing against the Texas lineup, which included 9 K’s and zero BB.
The series headed to Phoenix tied 1-1, with the Rangers getting the best of Arizona in a quiet game 3. A 3-run 3rd inning was all Texas would need, as Seager hit his 2nd 2-run homer of the series and Texas won 3-1, taking a commanding 2-1 series lead. But it wasn’t all smiles for Texas, as starter Max Scherzer was pulled after just 3 great innings due to back tightness and García was also forced to leave due to side tightness.
This puts the Rangers in quite a predicament, and fans can only hold their breath as they wait for Garcia’s MRI results and an update on Scherzer. On the other side, Arizona also has some injury and rest issues, particularly with their starting pitchers. We should expect a bullpen game from both teams for game 4, who are relying heavily on their pitching depth as they try to rest up for the remainder of the series.
Oddsmakers give Arizona around a 30% chance to come from behind and win this year’s Fall Classic, as they hope to tie it up in game 4 at home this past Tuesday night. The Diamondbacks sent Joe Mantiply against the Rangers Andrew Heaney. Both are left handed pitchers.
