2020 World Series: Rays vs. Dodgers Game 1 odds and preview
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches during a game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire)
October 20th, 2020
It was an unprecedented postseason run featuring 16 teams at the start, but the best clubs in each league have advanced to the World Series. The American League’s Tampa Bay Rays, making their first appearance in the Fall Classic since 2008, will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers, representing the National League for the third time in four years.
Here is our breakdown of Tuesday’s World Series-opening clash from Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 8:09 p.m. ET, FOX
Tyler Glasnow and the mighty Rays bullpen should outduel notorious postseason underachiever Clayton Kershaw and the disorganized Dodgers relief corps in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night, at a nice price to boot.
Uncertainty abounds with the Dodgers’ pitching staff heading into the 2020 World Series. Kershaw added another chapter to his checkered postseason past in Game 4 of the NLCS after being scratched from Game 2 due to back spasms. Behind him is a bullpen that’s been springing leaks throughout the postseason and looked very shaky during Game 7 of the NLCS.
L.A. must, of course, watch out for ALCS MVP Randy Arozarena, the Tampa outfielder that’s come from out of nowhere to tally 47 total bases thus far this postseason, four short of the major-league record (51, David Freese in 2011). That includes his go-ahead homer (his seventh of the postseason) in the first inning of Game 7 of the ALCS against the Astros.
RANDY. AROZARENA.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 18, 2020
Rays go up 2-0 as he sets a MLB record for most HRs in a postseason by a rookie 💥 (via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/nzJtEhPOQh
Glasnow has had an up-and-down postseason thus far, producing a 4.66 ERA through four appearances (19 1/3 innings). After notching a quality start against the Blue Jays (two runs allowed over six innings) in the Wild Card round, the Yankees got to him for four runs in five innings of work in an eventual Game 2 loss in the ALDS.
Tyler Glasnow, 101mph Cutting Fastball. pic.twitter.com/JjBrOqw7qy
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 15, 2020
Glasnow rebounded from that start by pitching 2 1/3 scoreless in the decisive Game 5 of that series before struggling in his most recent effort against Houston (four runs allowed over six innings in a Game 4 loss). With two days of rest heading into the World Series, it would not be shocking to see Glasnow pulled early by Rays manager Kevin Cash, who has a host of reliable bullpen arms to turn to.
Live bettors should note that the Rays are 36-1 when leading after six innings this season.
MLB pick: Rays moneyline
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