World Series 2023: Underrated Storylines to Track in Diamondbacks vs. Rangers Matchup

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers form one of the most unexpected World Series matchups in recent memory.

The buildup to Friday's Game 1 will carry a lot of talk about LCS Most Valuable Players Ketel Marte and Adolis Garcia, as well as the potential pitching matchups in Games 1 and 2.

There is far more to the matchup than the top-tier storylines circling around the American League West winner and the No. 6 seed in the National League.

Each roster possesses a future star of the game and depth in the batting order that may make the difference in one or two games.

Bruce Bochy and Torey Lovullo will also come into focus for the management of their respective pitching staffs. That could be even more important in Game 4, which could switch the momentum in the series.

One Star Rookie Will Win Title

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HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Josh Jung #6 of the Texas Rangers is walked by Rafael Montero #47 of the Houston Astros during Game Six of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bailey Orr/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)

Corbin Carroll and Josh Jung are two of the best young players in baseball.

Carroll, the favorite to win NL Rookie of the Year, went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a pair of stolen bases in NLCS Game 7 against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Carroll was ineffective for most of the NLCS, but he came alive at the plate when the DBacks needed it most.

The Game 7 performance could spur Carroll to a strong World Series. He needs to provide support to Marte at the top of the order to put pressure on the Texas pitching staff from the first inning of Game 1.

Jung recorded a hit in eight of his 12 postseason appearances. A two-home run game in ALCS Game 3 was his breakout performance on the playoff stage.

The Texas third baseman served as a good link between the sluggers in the heart of the order and the bottom third of the lineup.

The DBacks may pitch around Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia in some games, and that will force Jung and other sluggers in the Texas lineup to take advantage of the moment.

One of the two young stars will emerge with a World Series title. That will be a great addition to the incredible starts both players have had to their MLB careers.

Bottom of the Order Success

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 24: Geraldo Perdomo #2 of the Arizona Diamondbacks hits a sacrifice bunt against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning in Game Seven of the Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The bottom third of each order could become the biggest X-factor in the World Series.

Arizona got three hits out of Emmanuel Rivera and Geraldo Perdomo from the Nos. 8 and 9 spots in the order in NLCS Game 7. Perdomo, Alek Thomas and Evan Longoria combined for four hits in NLCS Game 6.

The DBacks' success in the bottom third was more important in the NLCS because cleanup hitter Christian Walker could not work his way out of a slump. Carroll faced similar struggles before his breakout performance in Game 7.

That part of the order could be vital to Arizona again in the World Series. Longoria is one of the few players with previous World Series experience, Perdomo can affect a game with his small-ball excellent and Thomas had a pair of home runs in the NLCS.

Texas received a similar level of efficiency from its bottom third to come back in the ALCS. Nathaniel Lowe hit a Game 7 home run out of the No. 7 spot. The Nos. 7-9 spots produced a pair of hits in Game 6 and 7.

The Rangers carry more pop at the back end of their order with Lowe and Jung, who had two home runs each in the ALCS.

The AL champion also has a speedy No. 9 hitter in Leody Taveras, who had five hits and earned four walks in the ALCS.

The players at the bottom of each order probably will not decide every game, but there will likely be one contest in which a key hit, or rally starter, comes from that part of the lineup.

Management of Game 4

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 18: Manager Bruce Bochy #15 of the Texas Rangers looks on prior to Game 3 of the ALCS between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Arizona and Texas both have their starters set for Games 1-3.

The DBacks will go with Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt, while Texas will counter with Nathan Eovaldi, Jordan Montgomery and Max Scherzer.

The biggest challenge for both managers will be navigating Game 4, which could be a bullpen game for both sides.

The time between Games 1 and 4 is too short for the opening starter on each roster to return on full rest, unless that player leaves early after a bad outing.

Arizona opted for a bullpen game in NLCS Game 4 and used the majority of its high-leverage bullpen arms.

Texas opened ALCS Game 4 with Andrew Heaney, but he did not make it out of the first inning. Dane Dunning followed him with 2.2 innings of work before Bochy utilized four bullpen arms.

The Rangers are better suited to use a true starter in Game 4 because they can choose between Heaney, Dunning and potentially Martin Perez.

Arizona is likely in line for another bullpen game at home, and how Lovullo manages that contest could alter the series.

The effectiveness of both pitching staffs in Game 4 will also affect how both teams manage Games 5, 6 and 7, if the series gets that far.

A taxed bullpen could be the downfall of one team, so Game 4 has to be managed smartly to bridge the gap to the top starters in Game 5.