The number one seed in the American League (AL), Tampa Bay Rays, and the number one seed in the National League (NL), Los Angeles Dodgers, squared off in the 2020 World Series. Each of these teams would be victorious in game seven of the ALCS and NLCS, respectively, earning their spot in the World Series.
Ultimately, it was the Dodgers who would capture their first World Series victory since the 1988 season. The Dodgers would take down the Rays in six games; the final game had a questionable choice from Rays manager Kevin Cash which will likely be debated about for months and maybe years to come.
THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS ARE WORLD CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/rlvVkSwXhp
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 28, 2020
After Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Julio Urías, and many others, the Dodgers were able to secure their championship after impeccable performances. The Dodgers snapped a 32-year dry spell just a year after the Washington Nationals put away a 50-year drought as they took home the 2019 World Series.
That being said, take a look at how the 2020 World Series shook out:
Game 1: Tampa Bay Rays- 3, Los Angeles Dodgers- 8
The Dodgers would send veteran Clayton Kershaw to the mound in game one who threw six strong innings, allowing just one run before handing the ball off to the bullpen. The Dodgers were already up on the Rays at this point, and it was a way to keep Kershaw fresh for later in the series.
The Rays were unable to get things going. Starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow was pulled after 4.1 innings pitched, allowing six total runs. The Dodgers offense was seeing the ball well, capitalizing on opportunities where they would walk seven times and get ten total hits.
Cody Bellinger proved that his separated shoulder was feeling alright after hitting a two-run home run to help the Dodgers get ahead on the Rays in game one.
Game 2: Tampa Bay Rays- 6, Los Angeles Dodgers- 4
While the Dodgers set the tone in game one, game two was kept in control by the Rays. It was Blake Snell on the mound who was electric for the Rays, striking out nine Dodgers hitters over 4.2 innings pitched, allowing just two runs. The Rays bullpen would ultimately surrender two more runs, but they would ultimately come away with a 6-4 victory to even things up.
The Dodgers would empty out the bullpen using seven total arms heading into an off-day, but Dustin May surrendered three runs to help elevate the Rays to the win. Brandon Lowe hit two home runs for the Rays to help them get out to the lead they would have, raking in three RBI on the night with two longballs.
The Dodgers saw shortstop Corey Seager remain hot at the plate with another solo home run to try and reinvigorate the team, but it was just not enough to secure a win in game two.
Game 3: Los Angeles Dodgers- 6, Tampa Bay Rays- 2
The Dodgers got an incredible start out of Walker Buehler, who helped keep the Rays off the board and help secure a game three victory. Buehler tossed six innings, allowing just one earned run, walking just one, and striking out ten. The only other ran to come across was a solo home run by Randy Arozarena in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen.
In the other dugout, Charlie Morton was struggling through a 4.1 inning outing where he allowed five runs on seven hits before turning the ball over to John Curtiss, who would allow a run as well. Offensively for the Dodgers, it was Justin Turner and Austin Barnes who carried.
Each had a home run; Barnes also had a sacrifice squeeze bunt that earned them another run. Ultimately, the Dodgers would go up 2-1 in the series after the game three victory.
Game 4: Los Angeles Dodgers- 7, Tampa Bay Rays- 8
The Rays would win the game in perhaps the scenario only a kid playing backyard baseball could dream up. The result came on a defensive mishap and misplay by Dodgers catcher Will Smith, but it allowed the Rays to capture the walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth.
The Rays had to have Brett Phillips hit after pinch-running him earlier in the game; he would deliver a game-winning double that scored Randy Arozarena to win the game. The Dodgers started Julios Urías, who would give way to the bullpen, but it was Jansen who would surrender the walk-off hit.
Offensively, the Dodgers got continued production out of Seager and Turner, but the Rays would ultimately get the nod in one incredible game. The Rays would even things up 2-2 heading into game five.
Game 5: Los Angeles Dodgers- 4, Tampa Bay Rays- 2
The Dodgers sent Kershaw back to the mound in game five. Glasnow took the mound for the Rays. Kershaw continued to change the narrative on his postseason pitching after throwing 5.2 innings, allowing just two runs and notching the win.
For the Rays, Glasnow took a while to settle in, throwing five innings, allowing four runs while walking three and allowing six hits. Both Max Muncy and Joc Pederson would have longballs in the game to account for two of the Dodgers runs. Seager also stayed hot, tallying an RBI to help the Dodgers add to their lead.
As the Dodgers become the “home team” in game six once again, they will have the advantage, up 3-2 on the series, looking to send the Rays home and capture a World Series victory.
Game 6: Tampa Bay Rays- 1, Los Angeles Dodgers- 3
Game six was an interesting one, with the Rays getting out to an early 1-0 lead on a home run from Arozarena, his tenth of the postseason. The Rays would get to Tony Gonsolin early, chasing him out of the game and moving into the Dodgers bullpen.
The Dodgers were shut down by Blake Snell until the sixth inning when a single from Austin Barnes caused Kevin Cash to make a questionable decision to pull his pitcher. This resulted in a two-run inning after Nick Anderson struggled, and the Dodgers would bring around Austin Barnes and Mookie Betts to score.
On the mound for the Dodgers, Urías shut things down, capturing the win and allowing for the 2020 World Series to be crowned to the organization. No game seven was needed; the Dodgers battled back in game six and found themselves as champions.
