Rangers vs. Diamondbacks World Series Game 2 Starting Pitcher Matchup - October 28

Updated Oct. 28, 2023 5:46 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

The Texas Rangers host the Arizona Diamondbacks for Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday at 8:03 PM ET at Globe Life Field. The Rangers have a 1-0 series lead.

Learn more about this Rangers vs. Diamondbacks matchup on Fox Sports.

The Rangers are set to give the nod to Jordan Montgomery (10-11, 3.20 ERA) versus the Diamondbacks and Merrill Kelly (12-8, 3.29 ERA).

Rangers Probable Starter: Jordan Montgomery

Montgomery gets the start for the Rangers, his 33rd of the season. He is 10-11 with a 3.20 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 188 2/3 innings pitched.
In his last time out -- out of the bullpen on Tuesday -- the left-hander tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings against the Houston Astros while surrendering three hits.
In 32 games this season, the 30-year-old has a 3.20 ERA and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings, while giving up a batting average of .247 to opposing hitters.
Montgomery is looking to secure his 21st quality start of the year in this game.
Montgomery has put together 28 starts this campaign in which he pitched five or more innings.
He has had seven appearances this season in which he kept his opponents to zero earned runs.
He will take the hill against a Diamondbacks offense that ranks 17th in MLB with 1359 total hits (on a .250 batting average). The squad also slugs a collective .408 (17th in MLB) with 166 total home runs (22nd in MLB).
In 12 innings over two appearances against the Diamondbacks this season, Montgomery has a 5.25 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP while his opponents are batting .298.
Among qualifying pitchers in MLB play this season, the 30-year-old's 3.20 ERA ranks eighth, 1.193 WHIP ranks 23rd, and 7.9 K/9 ranks 36th.

Montgomery's Game Props

Strikeouts Prop: Over/Under 3.5 (Over Odds: -164)
Hits Prop: Over/Under 5.5 (Over Odds: +120)

Montgomery's Recent Appearances

Opponent	Date	IP	H	R	ER	K	BB
at Astros	Oct. 23	2.1	3	0	0	1	0
vs. Astros	Oct. 20	5.1	5	2	2	3	2
at Astros	Oct. 15	6.1	5	0	0	6	1
at Orioles	Oct. 8	4.0	9	5	4	2	1
at Rays	Oct. 3	7.0	6	0	0	5	0

Diamondbacks Probable Starter: Merrill Kelly

Kelly (12-8) will take to the mound for the Diamondbacks and make his 31st start of the season.
The right-hander gave up one earned run in five innings pitched on Monday in his last outing, a matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The 35-year-old has pitched in 30 games this season with an ERA of 3.29, a 2.71 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a WHIP of 1.193.
In 30 starts this season, he's earned a quality start in 18 of them.
Kelly has 32 starts in a row of five innings or more.
In 30 appearances this season, he has finished three without allowing an earned run.
The Rangers rank third in MLB with 881 runs scored this season. They have a .263 batting average this campaign with 233 home runs (third in the league).
Among qualified pitchers in the majors this campaign, the 35-year-old ranks 11th in ERA (3.29), 23rd in WHIP (1.193), and 16th in K/9 (9.5).