World Series Game 3 Thread: Rangers vs. D-Backs, 8:03 PM

TEXAS RANGERS @ ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
CHASE FIELD | PHOENIX, ARIZONA | 8:03 P.M.
FOX – ESPN RADIO
RHP Max Scherzer (0-1, 9.45 ERA) vs. RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-0, 2.70 ERA)

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Diamondbacks host the Rangers at Chase Field on Monday for Game 3 of the World Series. It’s the first World Series game hosted at Chase Field since Nov. 4, 2001, where the D-Backs defeated the Yankees in Game 7 to win their first and only World Series.

The D-Backs head home for Game 3 on a positive note. They defeated the Rangers in Game 2 behind a stellar performance from Merrill Kelly and an offensive outburst from the lineup, tying up the series at 1-1.

The Game 2 win was historic for the D-Backs. It was the first World Series road win in the organization’s history, snapping their previous 0-4 record against the Yankees and Rangers.

Now, with the series tied, rookie Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound at home and try to give the D-Backs a lead in the 2023 World Series. Pfaadt has been solid this postseason and has a 2.70 ERA in four postseason starts. He’s only gone past five innings once, which was against the Phillies in a 2-1 win in Game 3 of the National League Championship. Pfaadt will become the 51st rookie to make a World Series start.

Former Met Max Scherzer takes the mound for the Rangers. He’s only made two starts, both in the American League Championship Series, and has struggled. Scherzer allowed five earned runs in four innings in Game 3, where the Rangers lost to the Astros 8-5. He then only lasted 2 2/3 innings in Game 7, allowing two earned runs in the Rangers series-clinching 11-4 Game 7 win.

Evan Carter is batting cleanup for the Rangers in Game 3. It’s the first time Carter has batted cleanup in his career, which includes the minor leagues.

Tommy Pham is batting fifth tonight against the right-handed Scherzer in Game 3. Pham went 4-for-4 in Game 2, and could have become the first player in World Series history to go 5-for-5, but was pinch-hit for Jace Peterson in the ninth. Pham told reporters after the game he asked Bruce Bochy to be pinch-hit for so Peterson could get in the game.

While every game is pivotal in the World Series, Game 3 has historically been significant when the series is tied 1-1. In World Series history, when a team goes ahead 2-1, they win 67.9% of the time. However, this isn’t decisive, as the Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the 2022 World Series last year and lost in six games.