ARLINGTON, Texas — The Rangers beat the Diamondbacks 6–5 on an Adolis García walk-off homer in a dramatic, 11-inning, Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. These teams seem to be fairly evenly matched, so any of several factors could mean the difference in Saturday’s Game 2.
Strength vs. Strength
Rangers lefty Jordan Montgomery was an unremarkable starter over parts of six seasons with the Yankees and a bit better over close to a calendar year with the Cardinals, but since he arrived in Arlington at this year’s trade deadline, he has pitched like an ace. He had a 2.79 ERA and threw strikes 64% of the time over the last two months of the regular season, and he has been even better in October: a 2.16 ERA and 65% strikes, against stronger competition. He has made four starts and gotten seven outs in relief in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
