The Los Angeles Dodgers Move on to the World Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the World Series for another shot at the title.
The last Los Angeles Dodgers World Series title was in 1988. This was the World Series where Kirk Gibson hit one of the most memorable walk off home runs in MLB history.
Now, Dodgers fans can root for their team to stop the drought after winning the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves thanks to Cody Bellinger’s seventh inning solo home run.
The NLCS came down all the way to an exciting game seven. The Braves took an early 2-0 lead, and the Dodgers had to claw back into the series to force a game seven to have a chance.
Dustin May started the game, but only went one inning so the Dodgers had to rely on the bullpen to keep things close.
More Dodgers. Seager makes postseason history. light
Dave Roberts used Tony Gonsolin in the second and third inning, followed by a two inning outing by Blake Treinen.
The fifth inning was handed to Brusdar Graterol. The last three innings were pitched by Julio Urias to close out the game.
The Dodgers scored four runs, and held the Braves to three.
Atlanta took the lead early by scoring a run in the first and second inning. The Dodgers countered with a two run inning in the third.
In the next inning, the Braves would answer with another RBI single to take the lead.
In the sixth inning, Kike Hernandez hit a solo home run to tie the game.
Finally in the bottom of the seventh inning to decide the game, Bellinger hit an absolute bomb to give the Dodgers just enough to clinch another World Series appearance.
The Dodgers had a disappointing playoff run in 2019, losing to the Washington Nationals in the NLDS after making the World Series in consecutive years prior (2017 and 2018).
And just like that, the Dodgers are back in the World Series, ready to compete for the title.
The Dodgers lost to the Houston Astros in 2017, and we still hear about the cheating scandals around the league.
Then, in 2018, the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to compete again for the title but fell short to the Boston Red Sox.
How will the Dodgers fare against the Tampa Bay Rays?
The good news for Dodgers fans are that Corey Seager and Mookie Betts are playing very well in the postseason. The pitching has also been excellent with Walker Buehler being lights out.
The bad news, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, Max Muncy and Will Smith have been subpar. That being said, the Dodgers are not firing on full cylinders so they could be more dangerous than they have shown so far in the postseason.
The Tampa Bay Rays are looking very similar to the Dodgers in the postseason. The Rays have relied on a few players in the lineup to produce, while the rest of the lineup has failed to show up.
The Rays have been blessed with Randy Arozarena’s postseason performance, but have been surely missing Brandon Lowe, Austin Meadows and Yandy Diaz.
As far as the pitching goes, the Rays bullpen and pitching has been excellent as well. Both the Dodgers and Rays hold a sub 3.50 ERA in the postseason.
The Dodgers are playing better as a whole, and I think they are the favorites to win the 2020 World Series.
The Dodgers offense is playing better one through nine, while the Rays have had a one man show.
But things can quickly change in the postseason.
The Rays will need Brandon Lowe to find his groove if they want to compete with the Dodgers for the title. While the Dodgers could easily win the series if Bellinger and Turner can play like their All-Star selves.
Next. Wood's infuriating quotes. dark
Game one is on Tuesday, 10/20. First pitch is at 8:09 ET/5:09 PT.