With the Dodgers leading 3-2, the World Series takes on the second to last game on Tuesday, Game 6, the most crucial of games, as the Rays have another chance to tie up the series once again. Things weren’t looking good for the Rays, as leading into Game 4, the Dodgers were already up 2-1. However, after a jaw-dropping performance in Game 4, the Rays tied it up once again, forcing the series to go on a little longer. Going into this series, many people projected it to be the Dodgers in 4, but with a season going as well as the Tampa Bay Rays’, they were not going down without a fight. As they took on their second American League Pennant for their franchise, expectations, and hopes are high, with their final chances to capture their first World Series title approaching quickly.
In the first game of the series, the Dodgers took an early lead, dominating with an 8-3 win over the Rays, showing everyone that they came to play and that if they had any say in the matter, the outcome of this Series would be different than the one in 2017 and 2018. With players who have felt the heartbreak of back to back defeats in the World Series, such as Bellinger, Seager, and Kershaw, the Dodgers came into the series with a chip on their shoulders, as not many teams get a third chance in four years to once again, try to clinch the World Series Title. However, this year’s team has a secret weapon in the form of new player Mookie Betts, as he continuously shows the Red Sox that trading him was a big mistake, just a little more than a year after helping lead them to a World Series title against his new team. With a home run and the goal of getting on base on his mind, Mookie Betts created even more history, becoming the second player in MLB history to walk and steal two bases in the same inning of a World Series game, the only other player being Babe Ruth.
The second game had a little different outcome, as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Dodgers 6-4, not allowing LA to take too early of a series lead. The Rays give some of the credit to the wins to their ability to rest, as they had two days prior to the World Series, with the Dodgers jumping straight into it after their final National League Championship game on Sunday. With star pitcher Clayton Kershaw starting the series in Game 1, Los Angeles struggled to find stable pitching in the following game, as their lack of rest for pitchers resulted in 3 pitching changes by the fifth inning. The Rays ate this up, knocking off 5 runs, two of which were homered in by Tampa Bay veteran Brandon Lowe. Their success came not only from the offensive side but the defensive as well, as pitcher Blake Snell went 4 ⅔ innings with no hits.
After a reset of the series, both teams went into Game 3 on an even playing field, each team trying to secure the series lead. However, the Dodgers came out on top, with a 6-2 victory over the Rays. After suffering a loss, the Dodgers do what they are known very well for, coming back to reclaim their title as winners. Starting the game off on a high note, Dodger player Justin Turner slammed a two-out solo homer off Rays pitcher Charlie Morton, getting the Dodgers hyped early on. After Morton struck out Mookie Betts swinging, a feat not many have been able to do and struck Corey Seager with a pitch. Other Dodger players were eager to step up to the plate. Just a dozen pitches later, Justin Turner returned with a double, and Max Muncy with a single bringing in two, answering Morton’s success with just as much success. The Rays were not ready to be silenced yet. Tamba Bay newbie Randy Arozarena hit a solo homer in the ninth inning, tying the record of most homers, 8, and hits, 23, in the postseason, a record he would later break in the following games.
After capturing the series lead 2-1, the Dodgers entered Game 4 with the goal of extending this lead to 3-1, a goal that seemed entirely attainable until the final inning of the game. The Dodgers got ahead early, with early runs from Justin Turner and Corey Seager, two postseason powerhouses. However, each time Los Angeles got ahead, Tampa Bay had an answer, with players such as Randy Arozarena never giving up, as he created a new record, earning his ninth home run in 18 postseason games. Finding his feat inspiring, more Rays players found their power behind their bats, as both Hunter Renfroe and Brandon Lowe followed with run-scoring blasts. Pinch hitter Joc Pederson then came in for the Dodgers, batting in two, and extending the Dodgers’ lead even further. To answer this, Rays player Kevin Kiermaier hit a game-tying solo pitch, tying the game up 6-6. The Dodgers took the lead once again in the eighth, with Corey Seager batting in Chris Taylor to make it 7-6 going into the ninth. This is when things got interesting. With players on second and first, Brett Phillips, a recent Rays pickup, came up to the plate. After falling behind on a 1-2 count, Phillips hit it into right center field, allowing Kevin Kiermaier, who was on second, to hustle and make it home, tying up the game, and with two small errors made by the Dodgers’ defense, one of which occurred prior to the throw home and the second at home plate, Randy Arozarena, the player on first, was able to make it all the way home, winning the game for the Rays 8-7.
After tying up the series in an incredible way, both the Dodgers and the Rays came into Game 5 with determination, fueled from very different things; The Dodgers wanting to take the lead again, and the Rays wanting the chance to take the lead. The Dodgers seemed to be the team with more motivation, as they ended the game with a 4-2 defeat over the Rays. With Kershaw returning to the mound after a few days of rest, Rays players kept the pressure on him heavy. However, many of the key plays came from the defensive nature of the Dodgers. Starting with Kershaw’s record-setting 206th career postseason strikeout, the Dodgers knew the outcome of this game was crucial, as Kershaw also helped to deny an attempt at the first straight steal of home in a World Series Game since 1955. As Manual Margot dove to home, Kershaw tossed the ball to Austin Barnes at home, who tagged Margot’s outstretched arm. Although successful on defense, it takes more than that to win a game, which was realized by Los Angeles players early on. Mookie Betts started off strong, getting a lead-off double, followed by Cory Seager’s RBI single, who scored off of a Cody Bellinger single. Dodger player Joc Pederson didn’t allow them to take all the credit, as he expanded the lead with a solo homer in the second. With the Rays wanting to remain in the race, with Yandy Diaz hitting an RBI triple and scoring on Randy Arozarena’s record-breaking 27th hit of the postseason. After the denial of Margot’s attempt to steal at home, the Dodgers proved they were still in it, as Max Muncy hit an astonishing 434-foot homer into right center field.
Now, going into Game 6, the Dodgers lead the series 3-2, and are one win away from a World Series Title. On the other hand, the Rays are looking to tie up the series once again, and force the crucial Game 7. In a series as entertaining and competitive as this one, anything is possible, a fact both teams know. Ultimately, the game today will be won by the team who has the bigger desire for a World Series title, and after the way both teams have been playing, this could be either one. Besides a few, these games have been close in scoring, skill, and team achievements, making them all the more interesting to watch. With a season as unpredictable as 2020, it makes sense to have a World Series just as unpredictable, and increases the excitement surrounding tonight’s game
For more MLB coverage, click here.
