World Series Game 4: Takeaways from Rangers’ rout of D-backs

The Texas Rangers are on the brink of winning their first-ever World Series title.

In Game 4 of the 2023 World Series, the Rangers dominated with a 5-run inning in the second and third, ultimately securing an 11-7 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Will Wednesday mark the day a new champion is crowned in MLB? Or will the Diamondbacks find a way to answer back? Here’s a breakdown of Game 4, its implications for the series, and what lies ahead.

Key links: Full playoffs schedule and results

Takeaways

Texas: The depth of the Rangers’ lineup finally came into play when it mattered most. After losing Adolis Garcia, who had been exceptional throughout the postseason, the Rangers rallied with 10 runs in the first three innings. Corey Seager’s 431-foot home run and Marcus Semien’s five RBIs, including a triple and a homer, showcased the team’s offensive firepower. Travis Jankowski, who substituted Garcia in right field, contributed with a two-run double. The Rangers’ strong offense supported Andrew Heaney’s pitching, leading to their 10th consecutive road victory in the playoffs. With one more win, they will become World Series champions for the first time in franchise history. — Alden Gonzalez

Arizona: The Diamondbacks’ bullpen strategy failed in Game 4. This might prompt a call to use top pitchers like Zac Gallen on short rest instead. However, the Diamondbacks knew they would eventually have to rely on their bullpen to gain an advantage. Thankfully, they still have their top three pitchers available for the final three games, all on full rest. Offensively, there isn’t much to take away from Game 4 as Arizona fell behind 10-0 after 2.5 innings. Though the game was out of reach, the Diamondbacks showed some late signs of life by scoring seven runs. Now, all eyes are on Gallen, who needs to overcome his early-game struggles and deliver in Game 5. By Nov. 1, perfection is not the goal for pitchers; being good enough will suffice, and that’s what the Diamondbacks are counting on. They also hope to have a more productive night offensively. — Jesse Rogers

One big question: Will the Rangers clinch their first championship in Game 5? As Game 4 concluded, Diamondbacks fans expressed their frustration by turning Stand Up 2 Cancer placards into paper airplanes and throwing them onto the field. However, just like their team, most of the planes failed to reach their intended targets and crashed. Arizona’s season is on the line in Game 5, while the Rangers have the opportunity to seal a perfect road postseason with their first-ever championship in a spectacular fashion. Zac Gallen will be the Diamondbacks’ first line of defense against Nathan Eovaldi, the ideal choice for the Rangers in such a high-stakes game. — Jeff Passan

One big number: 5. Marcus Semien’s five RBIs as the leadoff batter are impressive in any World Series contest. Moreover, his contributions played a significant role in moving the Rangers closer to a historic World Series title. This achievement also holds historical significance, as Semien became only the third leadoff batter to drive in five runs in a World Series game since the stat became official in 1920, joining Dan Gladden (1987) and Davey Lopes (1978). What makes it even sweeter is that Semien delivered after a challenging postseason at the plate. It was a testament to the Rangers’ formidable offensive capabilities, even without the injured Adolis Garcia. — Bradford Doolittle

The most astounding stats from Texas’ Game 4 blowout win

• The Rangers are the first team in World Series history to score five or more runs in consecutive innings within the same game. Only two other teams managed to score five or more runs in multiple innings during a single World Series game.

• Texas became the third team to score 10 or more runs in the first three innings of a World Series game, joining the 2001 Diamondbacks and 1968 Tigers.

• In the second inning, the Rangers hit for the cycle as a team, the first to do so in a World Series game since the 1991 Braves.

• Marcus Semien is the third leadoff hitter in World Series history since 1920 to drive in five runs.

• Semien and Seager are the second pair of No. 1 and No. 2 hitters in a World Series game to amass seven-plus RBIs, joining Tony Womack and Danny Bautista of the 2001 Diamondbacks.

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