The 2023 World Series heads to the desert as the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks open the three-game slate in Phoenix tied at one game apiece, setting up a pivotal Game 3!
It’s a battle of opposites as Arizona turns to 25-year-old rookie Brandon Pfaadt while the Rangers tab their 39-year-old prized trade deadline acquisition, three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.
It’s an unlikely homecoming for Scherzer, who was drafted 11th overall by Arizona in 2006 and made his MLB debut as a member of the Diamondbacks in 2008. Now, he hopes to beat his old team and inch closer to what would be his second World Series title — and the first in the Rangers’ 63-year history.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, looking for his fourth World Series ring, made a noticeable adjustment to Texas’ lineup going into Game 3, swapping outfielders Evan Carter and Adolis García — two unlikely stars each with some very notable moments in these playoffs — between spots No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
Meanwhile, D-backs manager Torey Luvollo reverts to his Game 1 lineup against the right-handed Scherzer, with rookie sensation Corbin Carroll leading off and veteran star Ketel Marte batting second.
The Snakes’ fan base promises to be very much alive as Chase Field hosts its first World Series since 2001. Follow along below for the latest updates, highlights, and best moments from the “MLB on FOX” crew in Game 3!
Scoreless start
After a 1-2-3 first inning for Pfaadt, Scherzer followed up with a scoreless frame of his own thanks to a slickly turned double play.
Rookie sensations
Evan Carter has joined a pretty impressive World Series fraternity.
Incredible defense!
Adolis García kept the game scoreless with a perfect throw to get Christian Walker at the plate on a Tommy Pham single, then Josh Jung made an incredible barehanded play at third base to get Scherzer out of the inning.
Rangers’ Adolis García throws out Christian Walker at home plate to prevent Diamondbacks from scoring
Semien snaps the slump!
After a rough first two games of the World Series for Marcus Semien, the Rangers star finally delivered with an RBI single in the top of the third inning for the game’s first run.
Seager, see you later!
Corey Seager, the other half of the Rangers’ half-billion-dollar infield launched the very next pitch over the right field fence to stretch the Rangers’ lead to 3-0. It’s the hardest home run hit in the World Series since 2015, and gives the Rangers a league-record 14 straight playoff games with a home run, per Major League Baseball.
Rangers’ Corey Seager CRUSHES a two-run homer to take a 3-0 lead over Diamondbacks
Scherzer’s start ends early
Jon Gray, the probable Game 4 starter, took over to begin the fourth inning as Scherzer exited with what the Rangers announced is back tightness.
Rangers’ Max Scherzer leaves the game in the fourth inning with back tightness
Post-start pep talk
Brandon Pfaadt got some encouragement from D-backs manager Torey Lovullo as he exited after a solid 5.1 inning, three-run performance.
INCREDIBLE streak continues
Ketel Marte has extended his MLB-record postseason hit streak to 19 games thanks to this sixth-inning line drive single off Marcus Semien’s glove.
Gray NAILS in relief
After being pressed into duty following Max Scherzer’s back injury, Jon Gray has responded with three impressive scoreless innings in relief to keep the Rangers off the board, including this strikeout of Corbin Carroll on his trademark fastball. He later spoke with FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
HUGE Josh Sborz strikeout to end the seventh
After allowing a double to Tommy Pham and getting a mound visit from the Rangers’ trainer, Sborz rebounded by striking out Alek Thomas to end the seventh-inning threat.
Baseball legends in the house for Game 3!
García leaves game with apparent injury.
Adolis García grabbed his side in pain after a seventh-inning flout and was removed from the game.
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