Dodgers and Rays create exciting World Series matchup
In a year filled with many challenges for the world of sports, a much-loved tradition returned Tuesday, Oct. 20. The 2020 World Series commenced at Globe Life Field in a matchup featuring the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays. How did each team get here?
Los Angeles
The Dodgers returned to the Fall Classic for the third time in four years in search of their first championship since 1988. This year L.A. won the National League West Division for the eighth consecutive season, sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card round and the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series. After falling behind 3-1 in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles battled back to win in seven games.
Tampa Bay
The Rays advanced to the World Series for the first time since 2008 and for only the second time in franchise history. During the regular season, the Rays took home their first American League East title and earned the No. 1 seed for the first time in ten years. After sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card round, Tampa Bay bested their divisional rival, the New York Yankees, in five games at the American League Division Series. The Rays then defeated the Houston Astros in seven games after going up 3-0 in the series to win the American League pennant.
With the top seeds in each league reaching the World Series, this year’s Fall Classic features plenty of talent in each clubhouse. Here is a breakdown of how the teams stack up in each facet of the game:
Management
Advantage: Rays
Kevin Cash led Tampa Bay to 90-win seasons in both 2018 and 2019. In 2020, he maneuvered a roster with a payroll well short of $100 million to the World Series. For the Dodgers, Dave Roberts was within one loss of being fired during the NLCS and has received scrutiny in the past for his decisions in the postseason during the 2018 World Series. Cash’s excellent use of his bullpen gives the edge to Tampa Bay.
Offense
Advantage: Dodgers
This category offers the largest separation between the two teams. Outside of phenom Randy Arozarena (who has a .356 batting average this postseason), Tampa Bay lacks consistency throughout the lineup. The Rays’ offense must improve from its performance throughout the American League playoffs in order to take down L.A. As for the Dodgers, they present the top offense in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2020, scoring an average of 5.82 runs per game. With sluggers like Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and NLCS MVP Corey Seager, Los Angeles presents a dangerous lineup from the leadoff spot down through the nine-hole.
Starting Pitching
Advantage: Draw
Starting pitchers could very well decide the fate of the series. Each team features multiple elite starters. Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Charlie Morton all have postseason experience; a daunting challenge for any opposing club to match up against. Ryan Yarbrough also provides a viable option for Tampa Bay later in the series. For the National League champion Dodgers, Walker Buehler co-pilots a rotation alongside future Hall-of-Famer Clayton Kershaw. Following the dynamic duo at the top, Roberts will utilize a combination of youngsters Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, as well as veteran Julio Urías, who can start or provide length out of the bullpen. The level of talent is too close to favor one side over the other.
Bullpen
Advantage: Rays
In another tight category, Tampa Bay inches ahead of Los Angeles. The Dodgers have a variety of terrific relievers in Kenley Jansen, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol. Each of them, however, faltered at some point throughout the postseason, giving a narrow advantage to Tampa Bay. With off days added into the series for the first time this postseason, the team’s rising stars, like Diego Castillo and Nick Anderson, should continue to lead a deep, outstanding bullpen to further postseason success throughout the series.
The 2020 World Series marks quite the milestone for the MLB. After months of negotiation over whether or not the season would even happen, the MLB battled through the pandemic to arrive at the ultimate stage of the sport. It’s Dodgers vs. Rays: Buckle up and enjoy.
Statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference.
Photo courtesy of Eric Gay/Associated Press
