Los Angeles Dodgers v Tampa Bay Rays
Baseball fans couldn’t have asked for a better matchup in the 2020 World Series, a classic David and Goliath story. The Dodgers led the MLB from start to finish, represent big market teams with huge payrolls, and are in their third appearance in the World Series in the last four years. The Rays were the best team in the American League, represent small market teams, and are playing in their second World Series in franchise history. Unfortunately, the Rays looked completely outmatched as Goliath took them down, 8-3.
The Rays ran out Tyler Glasnow (4.1IP 3H 6ER 8K 6BB 112PC 1L). He did not pitch well on top of being extremely inefficient. He couldn’t make it through the fourth inning despite throwing 112 pitches. This is Glasnow’s second shaky outing in a row for the Rays. He desperately needs to regain his confidence and control before his next time out. The Rays offense is not without blame either, and they were only able to get six hits. The 2-5 hitters (2B Brandon Lowe, DH Randy Arozarena, RF Hunter Renfroe, OF Austin Meadows) had a combined 0-11 with four strikeouts.
The Dodgers SP Clayton Kershaw (6IP 2H 1ER 1BB 8K 78PC 1W) pitched an absolute gem in game one. He recorded his 200th strikeout, joining Justin Verlander as the only players to reach that milestone in the playoffs. Kershaw now sits at 205 and might have a chance to overtake Verlander for most strikeouts of all time in playoff history. This was a huge start for a pitcher who always gets grief for his postseason performances. The offense was led by OF Mookie Betts (2-4 2R 1RBI 2SB 1HR). This was the player the Dodgers were hoping for when they traded for him and signed him to a huge extension. Betts proved he was well worth the investment.