With the series now even on the heels of the incredible walk-off victory on Saturday night, the Rays and Dodgers both turned back to their Game 1 starters to get the job done. Tampa Bay went with Tyler Glasnow, who struggled in Game 1 when he gave up six earned runs and allowed eight free passes across 4.1 innings. The Dodgers called upon their longtime ace Clayton Kershaw, who was dominant in Game 1, going six strong, only allowing one run on two hits and punching out eight. While the Rays were hoping for a better result this time around, ultimately it would be Los Angeles who would end up just one game away from a title.
Dodgers 4, Rays 2
It didn’t take long for Glasnow to navigate his way into trouble. In fact, the leadoff man Mookie Betts got aboard with a double which brought Corey Seager to the plate. If you haven’t been paying attention, Seager is in the middle of an absolutely torrid postseason run, and this did not stop on Sunday. Seager fouled off a first-pitch curveball before attacking the second pitch, a curveball with a lot fewer teeth, and ended up with a single into right field. No outs and the Dodgers are already on the board.
The perfect start for the @Dodgers. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/1YSLSfoPT6
— MLB (@MLB) October 26, 2020
And there were still more horrors to come for Glasnow. He managed to strikeout both Justin Turner and Will Smith with a Max Muncy walk sandwiched in between, and a wild pitch moved Seager over to third. That brought up Cody Bellinger, who pulled a curveball into the teeth of the shift, but second baseman Brandon Lowe couldn’t come up with a play.
Belli's turn to deliver. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/PbTOcgKLpV
— MLB (@MLB) October 26, 2020
Coming back out for the second, Glasnow hoped to settle into a groove after the rough opening inning. Getting Joc Pederson into a quick 0-2 count, he missed with a curveball before going back to his fastball. The outcome was less than ideal for Tampa:
WALK IT OUT, JOC. pic.twitter.com/bczBbgqEhC
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 26, 2020
By the time the third inning rolled around, the Dodgers were out in front 3-0 and Kershaw was navigating the Rays pesky lineup quite well through the first two frames. A leadoff single courtesy of Kevin Kiermaier got him into a little bit of trouble, though. After getting a backward K from Mike Zunino, Kershaw gave up a triple to Yandy Díaz and a single to (of course) Randy Arozarena. After a nightmarish beginning, the Rays were right back in this one, now down only 3-2.
The Rays are on the board.
It’s a one-run game. 👀 pic.twitter.com/dOAWhG7HMM
— MLB (@MLB) October 26, 2020
Unfortunately, the Rays’ bats remained mostly silent for the rest of the night. But it wasn’t for lack of trying, especially in the fourth inning when the Rays attempted a daring straight steal of home. With runners on first and third and the infield shifted, Manuel Margot thought he could catch the Dodgers sleeping and sneak in to tie the game. Kershaw took his time getting set but still managed to step off and gun down Margot at the plate.
He's stealing home and they ̶d̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ see him! 😳#WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/VfJ62CJWsa
— MLB (@MLB) October 26, 2020
The Rays would only manage to get three baserunners for the remainder of the game, as the Dodgers bullpen was absolutely dominant in relief of Kershaw. The trio of Dustin May, Victor González, and Blake Treinen combined for 3.1 innings, each only giving up one baserunner a piece while striking out four total. The Dodgers’ offense even managed to give them a little more breathing room in the fifth, when Max Muncy crushed a middle-middle fastball into the right-field seats for a solo homer. For your viewing pleasure:
DROP YOUR BAT ON 'EM, MAX. pic.twitter.com/Lg5OduFayQ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 26, 2020
The two teams will enjoy an off day today before resuming battle on Tuesday evening. Los Angeles will serve as the home team. 2018 Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell will be on the mound for the do-or-die Rays, while Tony Gonsolin will get the ball for the Dodgers who are within inches of victory. The game will be broadcast on FOX at 8:08 p.m. EST/5:08 p.m. PST.
And congratulations to Clayton Kershaw who, with six strikeouts on Sunday, has surpassed Justin Verlander for the most postseason strikeouts of all time, currently at 207. A bonafide Hall of Famer in action, folks.
Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)