Once again the Los Angeles Dodgers showed why they were the best team in baseball this year. Their ability to string base hits together — when they are not hitting home runs — and turn them into runs is beyond impressive. Their one of a kind ability put them ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays to take a 1-0 series lead in Game 1 of the 2020 World Series.
Reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger showed why he previously earned that title with a 2-run, bottom of the fourth inning, Game 1 World Series bomb to put the Dodgers on the board and inevitably motivate the Dodgers to score six more runs in an 8-3 victory over the Rays.
Clayton Kershaw pitched a great game, avoiding the playoff pitching criticisms that he usually receives. The Rays put up an early, first inning hit, scaring Dodger fans that worry about Kershaw’s playoff performances, but like the ace he is, he struck out and put down those criticisms.
Mookie Betts is a history maker, through and through. And he made MLB history once again, doing something only Babe Ruth has done.
The Rays weren’t quite as electric as they have been during the 2020 playoffs, but they did have a flash of top notch American League baseball late in Game 1. Although they found themselves behind the entire game, the Rays put up three runs against the Dodger bullpen in the second half of the game, including a Kevin Kiermaier bomb, almost sparking a Rays late game rally.
Rays ace starter Glasnow threw a ton of pitches (112 pitches, expected number for a team’s ace during a high value playoff game), but didn’t get much in offensive support. He also gave up six runs during his 4.1 inning outing.
Game 2 of the 2020 World Series will be played tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 5:08 p.m. PT, with the Rays’ Blake Snell facing off against the Dodgers’ Tony Gonsolin.
