The 2023 World Series kicks off tonight with the Texas Rangers clashing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, in a series everyone saw coming. Right?
Texas started off the year blisteringly hot, before hitting a rough patch mid-season which saw them relinquish their AL West lead, and flirt with missing the postseason altogether. But bounce back pitching performances, and an offense that’s firing on all cylinders has led them back to the World Series for the first time since 2011. Now, they hope to finally take the final step of their journey and win the franchise’s first World Series title since joining the league in 1961.
Standing in their way is an upstart Diamondbacks squad that everyone knew was good, but perhaps didn’t expect them to be THIS good so soon. Loaded with high end prospects and young stars, MLB insiders figured Arizona would be a contender sooner rather than later. However manager Torey Lovullo has his squad dialled in, as the D-Backs have kicked open their window to compete ahead of schedule.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s first pitch.
2023 World Series schedule
Friday, Oct. 27
World Series Game 1: Rangers vs. Phillies/Diamondbacks, 8:03 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 28
World Series Game 2: Rangers vs. Phillies/Diamondbacks 8:03 p.m. ET
Monday, Oct. 30
World Series Game 3: Phillies/Diamondbacks vs. Rangers, 8:03 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Oct. 31
World Series Game 4: Phillies/Diamondbacks vs. Rangers, 8:03 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Nov. 1
World Series Game 5*: Phillies/Diamondbacks vs. Rangers, 8:03 p.m. ET
Friday, Nov. 3
World Series Game 6*: Rangers vs. Phillies/Diamondbacks, 8:03 p.m. ET
Saturday, Nov. 4
World Series Game 7*: Rangers vs. Phillies/Diamondbacks, 8:03 p.m. ET
*if necessary
WORLD SERIES WINNER ODDS
Texas Rangers: -170
Arizona Diamondbacks: +140
World Series total games odds
- 4 games: +550
- 5 games: +275
- 6 games: +205
- 7 games: +205
World Series correct score odds
- Rangers in 4: +850
- Rangers in 5: +500
- Rangers in 6: +390
- Rangers in 7: +400
- Diamondbacks in 4: +1600
- Diamondbacks in 5: +700
- Diamondbacks in 6: +650
- Diamondbacks in 7: +600
World Series MVP odds
- Corey Seager: +500
- Adolis Garcia: +500
- Ketel Marte: +1000
- Corbin Carroll: +1100
- Marcus Semien: +1400
- Christian Walker: +1600
- Nathan Eovaldi: +1600
- Zac Gallen: +1800
- Jordan Montgomery: +1800
- Mitch Garver: +1800
World Series MVP History
| Position | Total |
| Pitcher | 29 |
| Outfielder | 11 |
| Third baseman | 10 |
| Catcher | 7 |
| Shortstop | 7 |
| Designated hitter | 3 |
| First baseman | 3 |
| Second baseman | 1 |
Photo: Casey Aguinaldo. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.