Texas leads Series 3-1
TEXAS RANGERS NOTES:
WINS AND LOSSES: The Rangers have won World Series Games 3-4 here in Phoenix, as club has won 5 of last 6 G (lone loss in WS G2 vs. ARI)…TEX has gone 5-4 in last 9 G after opening the 2023 postseason with a franchise-best 7-G win streak: ALWC G1-2 at TB, ALDS G1-2-3 at/ vs. BAL, and ALCS G1-2 at HOU…Rangers are now 12-4 (.750) in the 2023 postseason, T2nd-most wins ever by a team in a single postseason: 13-2020 LAD, 12-2014 SF/2019 WAS/2023 TEX…Rangers could match the 2020 Dodgers’ record by winning this WS…the 12 wins are the most by Texas in a single postseason (prev. 10 in 2011). • The Rangers are 7-9 in 16 all-time World Series games, winning 3 of 4 to open this WS and going 6-4 in last 10 after dropping 5 of the 1st 6 WS contests in franchise history.
IN THE LEAD: Texas leads this World Series, 3-games-to-1…this is the 1st time in franchise history for the Rangers to have a 2-game lead in a World Series…this marks the 50th time that the World Series stands at 3-1…of the previous 49 times, the team leading 3-1 has won the series 42 times (85.7%), and they have won Game 5 on 27 occasions (55.1%)…the 7 teams that came back from a 3-1 deficit to win the World Series: 2016 CHC, 1985 KC, 1979 PIT, 1968 DET, 1958 NYY, 1925 PIT, 1903 BOS (bestof-9)…of those 7, 4 had to win G5 at home followed by G6-7 on the road: 2016 CHC, 1979 PIT, 1968 DET, 1958 NYY.
CHANCE TO CLINCH: Rangers can clinch the 1st World Series title in Washington/Texas franchise history (since 1961) in tonight’s Game 5…TEX is 7-10 all-time in games w/ a chance to clinch a series win, going 3-0 in such games in the 2023 postseason: ALWC G2 at TB, ALDS G3 vs. BAL, ALCS G7 at HOU…had dropped 6 straight such contests entering this October…Rangers’ 7 all-time series-clinching wins have come at Tropicana Field (3), Globe Life Park (2), Globe Life Field (1), and Minute Maid Park (1). • TEX is 4-5 in 9 all-time road games with a chance to clinch a postseason series, winning both instances in 2023 (ALWC G2 at TB, ALCS G7 at HOU). • TEX has lost both WS games with a chance to seal a World Series title: 2011 WS G6-7 at STL.
GAME 5: The Rangers are 2-5 all-time in Game 5 of postseason series, losing 5 of last 6, including 2 straight: 2015 ALDS G5 at TOR (6-3 defeat) and 2023 ALCS G5 vs. HOU (5-4 defeat)…team is 1-3 in road Game 5’s, only win in the 1st-ever G5 for the club in 2010 ALDS G5 at TB.
COREY AGAIN: Corey Seager has HR in 3 of the 1st 4 G in this World Series…he now has 19 career postseason HR, 2nd-most in MLB history while playing SS (20-Derek Jeter) and T6th-most in MLB history…Seager’s 6 HR in the World Series are the most by any player while playing shortstop (6-Seager, 3-Jeter/Correa) and rank T15th all-time in Series history.
SHORTS: Most combined PA’s in a single season (reg. and postseason), MLB history: 833-Lenny Dykstra w/ 1993 PHI, 830-Juan Pierre w/ 2003 FLA/Marcus Semien w/ 2023 TEX…Rangers are 10-0 in this postseason when scoring 1st (credit Sarah Langs)…Josh Jung (3 H) became just 4th Ranger ever w/ 3+ H in a WS game (last Adolis García, 2023 WS G1).
GAME 5 STARTING PITCHER
#17 Nathan Eovaldi, RHP (4-0, 3.52)
POSTSEASON: The 33-year-old right-hander will be making his 6th start of the 2023 postseason tonight in Game 5 of the 2023 World Series at Arizona…will be working on regular 4 days’ rest after starting Texas’ walk-off 6-5 victory in WS G1 vs. ARI on Friday (see ‘Last Start’)…has gone 8-3, 3.30 ERA (27 ER/73.2 IP) across 16 games/11 starts in his postseason career with Texas (2023) and Boston (2021, 2018)…his 8 career postseason wins are tied for 4th-most among active Major League pitchers, trailing only Justin Verlander (17), Clayton Kershaw (13), and Gerrit Cole (10)…his lifetime .727 winning pct. in the postseason ranks T5th all-time (min. 10 postseason starts) behind Curt Schilling (.846, 11-2), John Smoltz (.789, 15-4), Red Ruffing (.778, 7-2), and Orlando Hernandez (.750, 9-3)…Eovaldi also ranks among MLB’s all-time postseason leaders (min. 60.0+ IP in postseason) in SO/BB ratio (3rd, 5.92), BB/9 (7th, 1.59), opp. OPS (11th, .572), BR/9 (12th, 9.16), and WHIP (13th, 1.00).
• In a Clinch: Eovaldi has gone 2-0, 1.32 ERA (2 ER/13.2 IP) in 2 starts in potential series-clinching games for Texas this postseason: ALDS G3 vs. BAL (W, 7.0 IP, 1 R-ER) and ALWC G2 at TB (W, 6.2 IP, 1 R-ER)…for his career, is 3-0, 1.33 ERA (3 ER/20.1 IP) over 4 appearances/3 starts in potential series-clinching postseason games, with his teams going undefeated (4-0) in those contests…3 career wins in potential postseason series-clinching games are T6th-most all-time behind only Andy Pettitte (6), Roger Clemens (4), Catfish Hunter (4), Charlie Morton (4), and Dave Stewart (4).
• 2023: Has earned wins in 4 of 5 starts during Texas’ 2023 postseason run, going 4-0, 3.52 ERA (12 ER/30.2 IP) with 36 SO/5 BB and 3 HR allowed…Rangers are undefeated (5-0) this postseason when Eovaldi starts…4 wins are the most ever by a Texas pitcher in one postseason, and tie the career mark for playoff wins in club history (Colby Lewis, 4-1 in 10 G/9 GS from 2010-16)…is the 26th pitcher in MLB history to post 4+ wins in a single postseason (last 4 by Kershaw/Julio Urías in 2020)…just 3 pitchers have ever reached 5 wins in a single postseason: WAS’ Stephen Strasburg in 2019 (5), LAA’s Francisco Rodríguez in 2002 (5), and ARI’s Randy Johnson in 2001 (5)…opened this postseason with 4 straight quality starts (6.0+ IP, 3-or-fewer ER), joining Cliff Lee in 2010 (also 4 QS) as the only pitchers in club history with 4 QS in a single postseason… Eovaldi is just the 7th pitcher in MLB history to earn a win and post a QS in each of his first 4 outings of a postseason (last STL’s Michael Wacha in 2013)…has MLB-high 36 SO in these playoffs, 2nd-most ever by a Ranger in one postseason (47-Lee in 2010).
LAST START: Did not factor into decision of Rangers’ walk-off 6-5 win in Game 1 of the 2023 World Series on Fri. at Globe Life Field (ND, 4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R-ER, 1 BB, 8 SO, 1 HR, 89 pitches/57 strikes)…was scoreless thru first 2.0 frames, striking out 4 of first 6 batters faced, but surrendered runs in the 3rd (3), 4th (1), and 5th (1) innings…exited trailing 3-5 with 2 outs in the 5th, but avoided the loss after Corey Seager connected for a game-tying 2-run HR in the bottom of the 9th…Texas went on to win on Adolis García’s game-ending solo HR in the bottom of the 11th inning
VS. ARIZONA: Eovaldi is undefeated (3-0) with a 3.65 ERA (15 ER/37.0 IP) over 9 games/6 starts against the D-backs in his career, including Game 1 of this Fall Classic… before Game 1, he last faced the Snakes in start for New York-AL on 5/18/16 at ARI (W, 6.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R-ER, 0 BB, 5 SO), leading the Yankees to a 4-2 win…lone hit allowed was 1st-inning leadoff double by Jean Segura…Eovaldi’s current Rangers teammate, Aroldis Chapman (S, 1.0 IP, 1 SO), recorded a save for the Yanks in that contest…none of the 16 pitchers and position players who appeared for Arizona in that game 2,718 days ago remain on the team’s active roster for this World Series.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACK NOTES:
MARTE CONTINUES HISTORY: Ketel Marte has hit safely in each of his fi rst 20 career Postseason games (.352 AVG/.976 OPS; 31-for 88, 13 XBH), the longest streak in MLB Postseason history to begin a Postseason career (previous: Marquis Grissom, 15 games – 1995-96), and the longest in MLB Postseason history, ahead of Manny Ramírez (17 games), Derek Jeter (17 games) and Hank Bauer (17 games).
♦ Marte has reached base in all 20 Postseason games he has played, which is the third-longest on-base streak to start a Postseason career, behind Boog Powell (25, 1066-71) and Daniel Murphy (21, 2015-17) [courtesy: @SlangsOnSports].
♦ Marte’s 24 hits this Postseason are the most in a single Postseason in franchise history, ahead of Steve Finley (19 in 2001) while his 39 total bases are the most by any D-back in a single Postseason (previous: 27 by Luis Gonzalez in 2001).
STEADY BULLPEN: D-backs’ relievers, in their last 39 games since Sept. 5, have a 2.48 ERA (47 ER in 170.1 IP), .207 OPP AVG, 8.08 K/9.0 IP and 1.00 HR/9.0 IP.
♦ D-backs’ relievers have allowed 1 or no runs in 15 of their last 22 games.
PHAM BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM: Per Elias Sports Bureau, with his single in the second inning in Game 3 vs. Rangers, Tommy Pham (4-for-4 in Game 2 and single in first at-bat in Game 3) became 1 of 4 players in this year’s Postseason to record a hit in 5 consecutive at-bats (also: Nick Castellanos/PHI, Corey Seager/TEX and Trea Turner/PHI)…the last player with 6+ is David Ortiz in 2013…the record in a World Series is 7 (Billy Hatcher/CIN in 1990).
♦ Pham recorded his third career 4-hit eff ort (4-for-4, 2 doubles) in a Postseason game (second with the D-backs)…Reggie Sanders is the only other D-back to record 4 hits in a World Series.
HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH TEXAS: The D-backs won 3 of their 4 matchups vs. Rangers this season (1-1 on road, 2-0 @ home)…over the 4 games, Arizona averaged 8 hits, 1 homer, 6 runs and 4 walks. ♦In their 2 regular-season road games @ Globe Life Field, the D-backs collected 19 hits, including 6 home runs, and 11 walks.
’23 PS HR AB SB ATT
Rangers 29 564 D-backs 21 24
D-backs 21 544 Rangers 10 10
POWER OF YOUTH: The D-backs’ 12 home runs hit by players age 23 or younger are the most in a single Postseason, ahead of the 2015 Cubs [courtesy: Sarah Langs].
♦ With Geraldo Perdomo, Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno and Alek Thomas, the D-backs are the third team in Postseason history with 4 players age 23 or younger with a home run in a single Postseason, joining:2020 Braves (Riley, Pache, Albies, Acuña Jr) and 2015 Cubs (Bryant, Schwarber, Soler, Báez).
♦ Corbin Carroll (age 23-047), Alek Thomas (age 23-162), Gabriel Moreno (23-235) and Geraldo Perdomo (23-354) became the first, second, third and fourth-youngest D-backs players, respectively, in franchise history to hit multiple home runs in a Postseason.
♦ Corbin Carroll also became the third D-backs’ rookie to hit multiple home runs in a Postseason run, joining Mark Reynolds (2007) and Paul Goldschmidt (2011).
♦ Gabriel Moreno is the first catcher at age 23 or younger to collect 4+ homers in a Postseason.
Tonight’s Starting Pitcher – RHP ZAC GALLEN ♦ #23
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Making his sixth career Postseason start and second @ home. • In 4 Postseason starts, is 2-2 with a 5.27 ERA (16 ER in 27.1 IP, 18 K).
LAST START: Started Game 1 of the World Series on Oct. 27 @ Rangers (ND; 3 ER in 5.0 IP). VS. RANGERS: In 2 regular season starts in 2023, went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA (4 ER in 11.0 IP). • Did not factor in the decision in his lone start @ Globe Life Field on May 2, 2023 (3 ER in 5.0 IP, 6 K). • In 3 regular season career starts vs. Rangers, is 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA (7 ER in 17.2 IP, 25 K). NLCS RECAP: Started Game 1 of the NLCS @ Phillies on Oct. 16 (L; 5 ER in 5.0 IP) and Game 5 of the NLCS vs. Phillies on Oct. 21 (4 ER in 6.0 IP) and Game 5 of the NLCS on Oct. 21 vs. Phillies on Oct. 21 (4 ER in 6.0 IP).
NLDS RECAP: Earned his second Postseason win in Game 2 of the NLDS on Oct. 9 @ Dodgers (2 ER in 5.1 IP).
WILD CARD RECAP: Earned the win in his Postseason debut in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card on Oct. 4 @ Brewers (2 ER in 6.0 IP) that advanced the D-backs to the NLDS. • Retired 14 of his final 18 batters faced.
2023 REGULAR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Went 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA (81 ER in 210.0 IP) in his fi fth season with the D-backs. • Set career highs in virtually all categories, including wins (17), starts (34), innings (210.0) and strikeouts (220). • Eclipsed 200.0 IP, becoming the 21st D-backs pitcher (last: Merrill Kelly in 2022) to reach the feat. • Was the 2023 NL All-Star starting pitcher. • Finished third with a 5.2 fWAR and tied for fourth with a 4.3 bWAR.
NL RANKINGS: Ranked among qualifying NL leaders in innings pitched (2nd, 210.0), games started (2nd, 34), wins (2nd, 17), strikeouts (3rd, 220), WHIP (6th, 1.12), win percentage (6th, .654), ERA (7th, 3.47) and opponent average (T-9th, .238).
HOME COOKIN: In 16 home starts @ home this season, went 12-3 with a 2.47 ERA (28 ER in 102.0 IP), 120 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP, .230 opponent average and 7 home runs allowed. • His 2.47 home ERA ranked third-best in the Majors, behind Logan Webb/SF (2.26) and Kodai Senga/NYM (2.42). • Ranked among D-backs pitchers in franchise history in home starts (min. 50 GS) in ERA (1st, 2.84), WHIP (1st, 1.05), home runs allowed (T-1st, 34), strikeouts per 9.0 innings (3rd, 10.27), walks (4th, 87), strikeout-to-walk ratio (4th, 4.20), wins (7th, 24) and strikeouts (7th, 365). • His .081 opponent average with runners in scoring position at home was the best in the Majors, ahead of Justin Verlander/HOU (.164) and D-backs teammate Merrill Kelly (.167).
200/200 SEASON: Became the sixth D-backs pitcher (12th time) to reach 200.0+ innings and 200.0+ strikeouts in a season, joining Randy Johnson (5x: 1999, 2000, ’01, ’02, ’04), Curt Schilling (2x: 2001, ’02), Dan Haren (2x: 2008, ’09), Zack Greinke (2017) and Patrick Corbin (2018)…Gallen joined Gerrit Cole/NYY (200.0 IP, 217 K) as the lone pitchers to reach the mark in 2023. MILKMAN DELIVERS: Tossed his fi rst career 9.0-inning shutout on Sept. 8 @ Cubs with 3 hits allowed and 9 strikeouts. • Previously had a 7.0-inning, complete-game shutout on April 25 – Game 1 @ Braves (7.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 6 K). • Became the fourth D-backs pitcher (sixth time) to toss 9.0 or more innings, 0 runs, 3 or fewer hits, 1 or fewer walks and 9 or more strikeouts (also: Curt Schilling on April 10, 2001, and May 14, 2003; Randy Johnson on Sept. 14, 2003, and May 18, 2004; Ian Kennedy on April 25, 2011.
