The 2020 MLB season is coming to a close in the next 9 days at the most. The World Series is starting tonight at 8 pm EST. It will feature the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays. The probable pitchers are Clayton Kershaw, starting Game 1 after missing Game 2 of the NLCS due to back spasms. Tyler Glasnow will start for the Rays. First, we will review the Conference Series, and then preview the World Series.
2020 has been a unique year for many reasons. One being, it was the third time in history that both Championship series have gone to 7 games. The Braves-Dodgers and Rays-Astros went all the way, and fans were pleased. The Rays and Dodgers ultimately emerged victorious and advanced dramatically to the World Series.
NLCS: Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers looked like they were in trouble in Game 3 after falling behind in the series to the Braves 2-0. However, they erupted for an 11-run first inning and finished with a score of 15-3. Their offense was back!
At least for a game, they only scored 2 runs in Game 4 against the Braves, who put up 10, which gave Atlanta the 3-1 series lead. The Dodgers then won 2 games in a row due to clutch pitching by Julio Urias and Brusdar Graterol. The best game in this series came in Game 7, it was close all the way. Both of these teams could explode on offense at any point in any of the 7 games, which made it a fascinating series.
ALCS: Tampa Bay Rays vs. Houston Astros
The Rays got off to a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. This series didn’t feature any high-scoring games like the NLCS, but it was comprised of low-scoring, close, and fundamentally sound baseball games. This made it a somewhat boring but somehow still exciting series. No team scored more than 7 runs in any given game.
With Randy Arozarena going off in his first postseason and winning ALCS MVP, the Rays beat the series. The Rays also received help from Brandon Lowe, Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Charlie Morton. They won three in a row, lost three in a row, and won Game 7 of the deciding series that sent them to the World Series.
2020 World Series Preview
The 2020 World Series will start on Tuesday, October 20th, 2020. It could come to an end on October 24th, 25th, 27th, or 28th, depending on how many games this series lasts. This is the Dodgers 3rd World Series in 4 years, they have not won a World Series since 1988. The Rays, on the other hand, have not been to a World Series since 2008, and they have never won a World Series. So history will be made either way.
The Dodgers seem to have the better lineup. Their 1-9 hitters together look like they could be an All-Star team. The Rays have no “stars” in their lineup. Instead, they have a lineup packed with players who perform every night. No MVP candidates, but they are all just rock-solid players. The Dodgers seem to have a stronger rotation and bullpen with Kershaw, Beuhler, May, Gonsolin, Urias, Graterol, and Jansen. The Rays have more of a top-heavy rotation with Snell, Morton, and Glasnow. The Rays also have an incredibly well-built bullpen. It is dangerously hot right now. The Rays manager Erik Neander, even said “I wouldn’t want to hit our group right now” referring to the bullpen.
Odds favor the Dodgers winning in a 4-1 series score. The Rays are the underdog heading into this World Series. The Dodgers are likely the favorites due to their experience in the World Series in recent years. The Dodgers also have help with Charlie Morton getting a start because they have seen him in big games before. He pitched for the Astros in the 2017 World Series against the Dodgers.
My pick for this series is the Los Angeles Dodgers winning in 7 games. I think Justin Turner will step up big time and hit the most home runs in this series. I also believe Clayton Kershaw will pitch beautifully tonight and put the disappointing playoff career behind him. Good Luck to both teams, let’s have some fun watching our last week of baseball!!