MLB
World Series Game One Preview
After was of the most chaotic seasons the sport will ever see, baseball has finally made it to the finish line. Game One of the 2020 World Series is finally here. The AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays will face-off against the NL Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The teams with the two best records in baseball will both look to raise the Commissioner’s Trophy. Tampa Bay will send Tyler Glasnow (5-1 with a 4.08 ERA) to the mound to take on Clayton Kershaw (6-2 with a 2.16 ERA). For the Rays, they will be looking for their first World Series title in franchise history. For the Dodgers, they will be looking for their first World Series title since 1988.
What To Look For With The Rays
After knocking out the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Astros, the Tampa Bay Rays have reached their first Fall Classic since 2008. Offensively, the Rays have relied heavily on the home run ball. Randy Arozarena has been on an absolute tear (7 home runs this postseason). However, Brandon Lowe, their most consistent and most dangerous hitter during the regular season has had a less than ideal postseason. Their bats will need to be more consistent at the plate and rely a little less on the home run ball to produce runs.
On the mound, Rays pitching has worked a lot this postseason. After two days off, they look to be fresh and ready to roll against the Dodgers. Their “big three” starters in Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Charlie Morton will be looked at to eat a lot of innings to try and keep the bullpen fresh each night.
What To Look For With The Dodgers
The Dodgers are back in the World Series for the third time in four years. This year, they will look to get over the hump and finally finish the job. Their offense has been an absolute powerhouse in 2020. With the addition of Mookie Betts, this Dodgers team is one of the best we have seen. NLCS MVP Corey Seager will look to continue his offensive tear and reigning-NL MVP Cody Bellinger will look to improve his bat from his shaky NLCS performance.
On the mound, the Dodgers have arguably the best left-handed pitcher in baseball in Clayton Kershaw. In addition, fellow ace Walker Buehler and rookie Dustin May will lead the way for Los Angeles. Their bullpen has been solid so far this postseason. The guy everyone is looking at is Kenley Jansen. After struggling in the NLDS, Jansen bounced-back in a big way in the NLCS and was terrific.
Who Has The Edge?
It is hard to tell who really has the edge. The best teams in baseball facing-off make for a great World Series. The edge has to be to the Dodgers. The Dodgers have been more consistent overall than the Rays, however, the Rays are also one of the very few teams in baseball that can take the Dodgers game-for-game in a seven-game series. It should be a very exciting World Series.
Written By Zach Nau
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