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Nolan Writin World Series predictions: Texas Rangers vs Arizona Diamondbacks

Somehow the Texas Rangers are still playing and so that means more predictions from the team at Nolan Writin.

By Michael Sanders , Andrew Sanford , Brian Sweet , Jesse DeTienne , Lorenzo Almanza , Stephen Francis , West Jones |
Houston Astros World Series Parade
Houston Astros World Series Parade / Carmen Mandato/GettyImages
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The Texas Rangers reported to Spring Training back in February shortly after the Super Bowl. Here we are eight months later and they are preparing to kick off the World Series at Globe Life Field. It is a matchup that no one was predicting before the season. Neither the Rangers or Diamonbacks were expected to make the playoffs according to most pundits. Here they are playing for the World Series trophy. Texas is trying to win their first World Series while Arizona is trying to win their second. Here is our team with our thoughts on who will win this series.

Who do you have winning the World Series?

Stephen Francis

What worries me about Arizona is that they’re scrappy. They play small ball well and are less likely to leave the yard. But they’ll play the station-to-station game and put up 4-5 runs in an inning in a hurry with bloops and speed. They also have a well-rounded pitching staff that I think will require patient hitting. 

But, the Rangers have displayed throughout their playoff run this season that they are more than capable of that. And not only can they smash a deep ball early and often, they can spend an inning manufacturing runs as they bat around for 30 minutes.  

Meanwhile, their own pitching staff, particularly the starters, have shown up in force during the postseason. 

Having said all that though, my gut is Texas in six. The Rangers will take games one and two, then lose two of three in Arizona. They’ll close it out in front of the home crowd in Arlington and bring home the first World Series title in franchise history. 

Here we are, with the Texas Rangers in just their third World Series in franchise history, set to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. To say I’m excited about these teams facing off is an understatement.

Prediction: Texas Rangers win 4-2

Jesse DeTienne

If it isn't broke, don't fix it. The Texas Rangers have not lost on the road in the postseason. The pitching is doing what it can and the offense has not lost a beat from the regular season when it was scoring at will.

The only issue will remain is if Marcus Semien and Corey Seager can connect together and impose their will on the Diamondbacks. Corbin Carroll has been a threat all postseason and he will be an issue for Rangers pitching. Give me Rangers in six. It finally happens.

Prediction: Texas Rangers 4-2

Lorenzo Almanza

The Texas Rangers have done the impossible. After winning 68 games last season, the team is now in the World Series.Texas is riding a hot streak, as they are 8-0 on the road this postseason. The bats have been the biggest difference. Over the past two games, the Rangers scored 9 and 11 runs.

Now, Texas has their biggest challenge yet. The team will face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series. This season, the Rangers went 1-3 against Arizona.This will be a back and forth series, as both teams are on a roll. Arizona has had a successful postseason. The D-Backs went undefeated against the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers. Against Philadelphia, the team got hot during the final two games.Texas will be tested with Arizona’s starting pitching. In their last game, they held the Phillies to two runs. The Rangers will need to get the bats going early if they hope to win the series.Corey Seager will the be difference maker this series. He went hot and cold against Houston. If he can get going, this will help Texas’ chances tremendously.I have the Rangers in 6. In a tough fought battle, Texas will prevail and win their first World Series title in team history.

Prediction: Texas Rangers win 4-2

Andrew Sanford

I woke up on Monday, October 23rd, with an insane notion. I didn’t embrace it, but it felt undeniable. “The Rangers are going to destroy the Astros tonight,” I thought. “It won’t even be close.” It seemed silly at the time. Surely the Astros would make this series even more nervewracking than it had already been! I didn’t trust my gut. Instead, I sat down fully prepared to watch, at best, a close game.

I was wrong. 

The Rangers defeated their AL West rivals (making the rivalry real, now more than ever). They scored 11 runs. Scherzer was a little shaky, but they played like a Championship team. I should have trusted my gut. What is my gut telling me now? It’s telling me that the Rangers will take this series by storm. All season has led to this moment. 

I could be wrong once more. The Diamondbacks have proven time and again that they belong in the postseason. They won’t be an easy challenge. Like the Rangers, their players seem fueled by everyone’s lack of faith. Still, that doesn’t change the strength of the Rangers’ lineup. It doesn’t make their rotation any less formidable. They are as ready for this moment as they can be. 

I may look back on this prediction and cringe. My excitement may be getting the best of me. I’m trusting my gut this time, and it says the Rangers are about to win big. It (probably) won’t be a sweep. The Rangers are 1-3 at home in the postseason this year (and 1-3 against Arizona). They also have an explosive lineup, a multitude of Big Game experience, and a bullpen that has found their footing at the right time. 

Prediction: Texas Rangers win 4-1

Brian Sweet

The Rangers have defied all odds and will be playing in their first World Series since 2011. A lot of media outlets had the defending World Series Champions Houston Astros winning in game 7. However, the Rangers sent a statement with their offensive onslaught and ruined their prediction.

Now that the Rangers have the media’s attention, they look to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks also defied expectations like the Rangers by eliminating the Philadelphia Phillies who were in the World Series as well last season. When you look at the regular season record between both teams, you need to take it with a grain of salt. The Rangers were 1-3 against the Diamondbacks and it does look concerning. However, the Rangers were down key players to injuries in both series this year. In conclusion, I think a fully healthy Rangers’ roster with new trade deadline additions might make this a quick series. The World Series trophy will remain in the state of Texas this year.

Prediction: Texas Rangers win 4-1

West Jones

It is still a little surreal that the Texas Rangers are in the World Series. They are playing their best baseball of the season right now, and that is what it takes to make it this deep in the postseason. The same can be said for the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is not the matchup that anyone thought we would have in the World Series when the playoffs started three and a half weeks ago, but it is the one that we got and it should be an entertaining series. The Rangers disposed of the Rays, Orioles, and Astros to get here and the Diamondbacks beat the Brewers, Dodgers, and Phillies to reach the World Series. To say that these aren’t the two best teams at this point in time (not over 162) is an injustice to the postseason.  

Despite all of the victories going to the road teams in the ALCS, it will be nice that the Rangers have home field advantage this time around in the World Series. The two previous times the organization has made it to the Fall Classic, they had to start out on the road. This series is going to be closer than some might think, but only in the scores and not in the overall outcome. I have the Rangers taking home their first World Series title in five games. While it would be nice to finish it off at home, there will be zero complaining from the Rangers faithful when they hoist the Commissioner's Trophy in Arizona on Wednesday. And who will be the World Series MVP? That will be Marcus Semien. He has been very cold this postseason, but is ripe for a breakout series in which he leads the stout Rangers offense.   

Prediction: Texas Rangers win 4-1

Michael Sanders

The Texas Rangers are in the World Series. Okay now that we got that out of the way. Texas by all means should take care of this in a quick series. They have a deeper lineup, they have a more formidable starting pitching staff, and they have been tested against the best teams in baseball this season. Arizona is not close to being as good as Tampa, Baltimore, or Houston was. If logic applied then I would say Texas would win in four or five games.

Nothing in the history of the Texas Rangers franchise leads me to believe this will be easy. It took them till 2010 to win a single playoff series and that was after losing two chances to clinch the series at home. They had two opportunities in 2011 to win the World Series and failed both times. This team is different, but i do think they will face some adversity in this series. I wouldn't be surprised if the bullpen proves costly in a game or two. In the end I do think Texas wins. I am going to go Texas in seven. I think Bochy keeps his perfect record in game sevens and the Texas Rangers get to celebrate on their home field in front of their fans. The championship party will last throughout the entire offseason for us as fans. My prediction for MVP is Corey Seager. I think he comes through with a big series and has three home runs, and nine RBIs including a key hit in game seven.

Prediction: Texas Rangers win 4-3

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