Wednesday newsletter time: Rangers get World Series matchup with Diamondbacks

(AP photo/Matt Slocum)

To anyone who in March predicted a Rangers-Diamondbacks World Series, please give me your numbers for the next PowerBall drawing.

The Diamondbacks stunned the Phillies on Tuesday night in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, winning 4-2 to complete a comeback from 3-2 down in the best-of-7 series.

The World Series is scheduled to begin Friday night at Globe Life Field, where the Rangers and Diamondbacks split two games in May. The series shifts to Phoenix on Monday, where the Rangers lost two games in August.

The Rangers and Diamondbacks were two of the worst teams in baseball the past two seasons.

Arizona should have its ace, Zac Gallen, ready for the opener and its No. 2 starter, Merrill Kelly, ready for Game 2. The Rangers could turn to Nathan Eovaldi on normal four days’ rest for the opener and Jordan Montgomery for Game 2.

Anyone who likes pitchers’ duels would be in for a treat.

Max Scherzer could find himself in a swing position in the series in Game 3.

The Rangers have the better offense, no question. Arizona doesn’t have nearly the same amount power, but Dbacks hitters have proven to be feisty and able to deliver timely hits. They also showed a knack for being aggressive on the bases during the past two games.

The guess here is that the Rangers don’t change their roster from the American League Championship Series.

As for the next few days, the Rangers will hold a workout this afternoon at Globe Life Field after sleeping off their postgame celebration Tuesday. World Series workout day for both teams is Thursday.

Indoors Classic?

The Rangers and Diamondbacks both have retractable roof stadiums. They both play on the custom-made synthetic surface with coconut shells beneath it. The conditions for the Fall Classic could be a neutral as possible.

Maybe that’s the way it should be.

Had the Phillies won, the Rangers would have been looking at first-pitch temperatures in the 40s next week, not including any chilly breezes, for Games 3-5. Now, they could be looking at temperatures in the low-70s with no wind with the roof closed at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

Chase Field was once a hitter’s paradise in the thin, dry air. But a humidor was installed in 2018, which, because of the extra humidity, affects the weight of the balls and takes some of the carry out of them

The decision on the roof status is made by Major League Baseball. The forecast for this weekend in Arlington calls for thunderstorms, and the roof will be shut if that plays out. The Phoenix forecast next week looks like a little slice of heaven, so maybe the roof is open there.

Garver update

The word Tuesday from a club official was that Mitch Garver will be an active player in the World Series despite leaving Game 7 early after being struck in the ribs by a Bryan Abreu fastball in the sixth inning. Yes, that’s the same Abreu who hit Adolis Garcia in Game 5.

X-rays were taken late in the game, the Rangers announced, but no update was given.

The likelihood that he will play will likely keep Sam Huff on ice with the group of minor-leaguers who continue to work out in case they are needed. Huff might be the most likely of them all to be added to the World Series roster if the Rangers want more offense, though the status quo has worked out pretty well.

Garver has two homers and 11 RBIs in the past nine postseason games after sitting out the first three.

Shameless self-promotion

One completely unexpected development as the owner of a Rangers website is that a few companies want Rangers Today’s help in selling their goods in exchange for a slice of the pie. It’s a grocery-store sample-size slice of the pie, but a slice nonetheless.

Rangers Today is an affiliate of Fanatics, the official supplier of MLB stuff, and In the Clutch Apparel, which is licensed by the MLB Players Association and owned by our buddy Josh Sneed.

First up is Fanatics. Click on this link to get official Rangers World Series merch.

Next up is In the Clutch. Click on this link and enter RANGERSTODAY at checkout for a discount. They have a couple of fun, new shirts, including one of Max Scherzer and one to rub Astros fans’ noses in the ALCS win.

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— In The Clutch (@InTheClutchCom) October 24, 2023

Don't Mess With Bombi ⭐
Adolis García x @mlbplayersinc 👉 https://t.co/iIgXw8AAI2
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— In The Clutch (@InTheClutchCom) October 25, 2023

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Doggy video!

Rangers fans after the last out of Game 7. Enjoy.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeerererrwrer!pic.twitter.com/tptTtrBrRQ

— Good Doggos 🐶 (@dogvideosdaily) September 1, 2023

Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com