3 reasons you should root for the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series

On Tuesday night, the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers go head to head in Game 1 of the 2020 World Series, hosted at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

If you’re a casual baseball fan or a diehard supporter of a team that didn’t reach the Fall Classic, you may be wondering which crew to root for in the final showdown of a wild and unprecedented 2020 season.

Below are three reasons why you should root for the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the World Series. Also see the opposing argument on three reasons you should pull for the Rays. 

1. The Dodgers are due a win in the World Series

For the third time in four seasons, the Dodgers are in the World Series, yet it has been more than three decades since L.A. has won a championship.  

In 2017, the Dodgers were defeated 4-3 against the Houston Astros, who later were found to have cheated during the 2017 season by stealing signs.  

The next season, L.A. had a chance to redeem its World Series loss with a matchup against the Boston Red Sox in the Fall Classic. The Red Sox won the series 4-1, as Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw recorded losses in Games 1 and 5.

Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is 175-76 in the regular season with a 2.43 ERA, but in the postseason, he owns an 11-12 record and 4.31 ERA.

In his two World Series appearances, the eight-time All-Star is 1-2 with a 5.40 ERA.

In 2020, Los Angeles achieved the best record (43-17) in MLB’s shortened season and is favored (-217) to beat Tampa Bay to claim its elusive seventh franchise title.

Should the Dodgers win, it will not only vindicate the losses Los Angeles recently suffered in the World Series, but a victory will finally get Kershaw over the hump in the postseason.

2. You’re a fan of offense and All-Star baseball

The Los Angeles Dodgers ranked second with a $107.9 million payroll in 2020. Only the Yankees spent more on their players, but it’s the Dodgers who arguably possess the deepest roster.

On top of Kershaw, the Dodgers acquired former Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, who beat the Dodgers in the 2018 World Series. The Dodgers also feature third baseman Justin Turner, outfielder Cody Bellinger, pitcher Joe Kelly, and shortstop Corey Seager.

The front office's spending paid off, particularly at the plate, as the Dodgers ranked first in runs (349), home runs (118), slugging percentage (.483), run differential (+136), and second in RBIs (327).  

In all, Los Angeles' roster includes 12 former All-Stars who have made 24 combined appearances in MLB All-Star games.

3. The Dodgers’ rich baseball history

Unlike the Rays, an MLB expansion team established in 1998, the Dodgers have been around since 1883 and are steeped in history and tradition.

From breaking baseball’s color barrier with the signing of Jackie Robinson in 1947, to Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, and Vin Scully’s iconic calls, the Dodgers are responsible for some of MLB’s most treasured memories and greatest milestones.  

A win in the 2020 World Series would surely be added to that list, especially after a season filled with chaos and uncertainty during a pandemic.

It would also bring double titles to Los Angeles for the first time since 1988, when the Los Angeles Lakers — who won the 2020 NBA Finals — celebrated a championship the same year as the Dodgers' last World Series win.

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Find the latest odds on the 2020 World Series at BetAmerica