What a World Series we are in the midst of as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays prepare to battle it out in game five on Sunday, October 25, 2020. The series is tied at 2-2 after a classic game four and this game has the makings of an instant Fall classic.This game will air live on FOX at 8:08 p.m. EST.
Los Angeles took a 1-0 series lead with a dominant 8-3 game one win. Cody Bellinger remained clutch and opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth innings. Los Angeles added four runs in the bottom of the fifth and another two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Tampa Bay tried to mount a comeback, but their rally in the top of the seventh was cut short. Los Angeles announced their presence early in this World Series.
Tampa Bay came to play in game two as they evened up the World Series with a 6-4-win Wednesday night. Brandon Lowe was the story of the night as he broke out of a series funk as he hit two home runs and knocked in three Rays. The Rays led 6-2 heading into the sixth inning, but the Dodgers fought back to make things uncomfortable for the Rays the final few innings.
The Dodgers jumped all over Tampa Bay in game three and came away with a 6-2 win. Justin Turner got the party started with a first inning solo home run and eventually extended their lead to 5-0 through four innings. Walker Buehler and the Dodgers bullpen were brilliant Friday night and the Dodgers now hold a key 2-1 series lead. Two more wins for a World Series title.
Game four was an instant classic and a roller coaster of a game the last few innings. There was one run scored in each of the final seven innings and saw four lead changes in the final four innings. Ultimately, Tampa Bay ended up coming back from a 7-6 bottom of the ninth deficit and walked it off to win 8-7.
Through four games, the Los Angeles Dodgers are now just -182 favorites to win the 2020 World Series. Tampa Bay is +150 to lift the trophy.
Below is my pick for game one of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers vs Tampa Bay Rays. All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
Los Angeles Dodgers (-159) vs Tampa Bay Rays (+135)
Pitching Matchup (Playoffs): Clayton Kershaw (3-1, 2.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP) vs Tyler Glasnow (2-2, 6.08 ERA, 1.44 WHIP)
Clayton Kershaw has been up and down this postseason, but he was magnificent in his game one start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Kershaw got the World Series started by allowing just two hits and one run, while striking out eight, in six innings pitched. The future Hall of Famer has sandwiched two great starts with two unimpressive starts, so Kershaw will look to make it two great starts in a row.
Tyler Glasnow is having a rough 2020 playoffs and that continued in game one of the World Series. Glasnow lasted just 4.1 innings and allowed three hits, walked six batters, and gave up six earned runs. The righty will have to bounce back quickly if he wants to put the Tampa Bay Rays in the drivers seat to lift the World Series.
MLB Predictions: Give me Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2020 Picks Record: 69-53
