The 2020 World Series will be remembered for both the crazy circumstances surrounding the games, as well as the hopefully terrific games that will be played. The two teams playing had the best records in the National and American Leagues. This is the first time since 2013 that the teams with the best records will be squaring off in the World Series. The Dodgers and Rays have had to go through a lot to get to this point in the playoffs.
Both the Rays and the Dodgers had to go through all seven games of the Championship Series. The big difference is the Dodgers came back from a 3-1 deficit, while the Rays nearly blew a 3-1 lead. The Rays stayed alive due to elite-level pitching against the Astros, while the Dodgers used their big bats to power through the Braves.
Tampa Bay used their always dominant pitching, both starters and bullpen, to get through the Astros powerful lineup. Tyler Glasnow and Charlie Morton both looked unbelievable at the last series, with Morton coming up as clutch as ever, keeping his undefeated record in elimination games with a stellar performance in game seven. In addition to the always great pitching, the Rays were pleasantly surprised by breakout hero and Series MVP, Randy Arozarena. Arozarena was incredible, hitting four home runs over the seven-game series.
Los Angeles looked like they were going home after going down 1-3 in their series, however they clawed back after their lineup came alive, and their defense made some incredible plays. Both Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger had incredible catches in the outfield, along with timely hits to keep the offense rolling. In addition to Betts and Bellinger, Series MVP, Corey Seager, who hit five home runs over the seven-game series, helped carry the load past Atlanta.
Overall, this will be a very interesting series for several reasons. The Dodgers and the Rays are near polar opposite when it comes to salary cap space. The Dodgers are the second biggest market team in baseball, while the Rays are third from the bottom, showing that money does not mean everything when it comes to building a World Series contender. The Rays will also need their pitching to stay as strong as ever because the Dodger lineup will be coming in with a ton of momentum.
I believe the Rays will come out of this as World Series Champions. They are a very scrappy team that is going to want to prove to the world that they are deserving champs. The Dodgers also have had a rough time in their past World Series appearances, losing their last two to the Astros and Red Sox. I think that the Rays pitching will be just too much for Los Angeles when it is all said and done.
Predicted Winner: Tampa Bay Rays in 7 games
World Series MVP: Charlie Morton
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