Dodgers 8, Rays 3
The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays matchup has been talked about as a classic David versus Goliath story. Chalk one up for Goliath in Game One. The Dodger bats took a little while to get going but when the night was over, they tallied 10 hits, and eight runners crossing home plate. A strong showing by one of the games best lineups.
Cody Bellinger was unsatisfied with the scoreless game in the fourth, so he decided to change that. With a man on second, he turned on a first-pitch fastball to put the Dodgers out in front 2-0. That woke up the Dodger bats as they would add four more runs in the fifth, and two in the sixth.
The Rays were only able to muster up six hits, scoring just three runs. Kevin Kiermaier cut the lead in half with a solo homer to right, but that was the closest the game would get.
Game One goes to the Dodgers.
Stars Shine Bright
The Dodgers have many superstars, but Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger are the two main ones that come to mind. Bellinger had the big blast that got the team started. He also is a difference-maker in centerfield as he made another highlight-reel catch in the ninth.
Betts however would change the game in the fifth with his legs. After leading off the fifth with a walk, he stole second and third, setting himself up to score from third with less than two outs. His legs and instincts produced a run when he took off on contact and scored on a ball that most players don’t even attempt. Oh, he also went 2-4 with a solo homer to right. He can impact the game in so many ways and they were on display right away in Game One.
Aces Are Wild
The World Series brings about great pitching matchups. Game One was no exception. Both teams had exactly who they wanted, ready to go out of the gates.
Dodgers Ace Clayton Kershaw struggled in the first but was able to strand two base runners. That would be the only real scare the Rays would give the southpaw. Kershaw retired 13 straight Rays batters before giving up the solo shot from Kiermaier. His slider was sharp and his big curveball kept the Rays hitters off balance and uncomfortable. So much so, that he got 19 of 38 swings to come up empty which is a 50% whiff rate. Six innings and eight strikeouts are exactly what the Dodgers needed from their star.
Tyler Glasnow would experience a little different outing in Game One. The big right-hander struggled with his command and found himself behind in the count way too often. A recipe for disaster when facing a lineup of the Dodger’s caliber. His line ended with six earned runs on six walks and three hits. He threw a season-high 112 pitches in only 4 and one thirds innings.
Rays Bats Silent Yet Again
The Rays top four hitters in the lineup went 1-13, with the only hit being a lead-off single by Yandy Diaz. Brandon Lowe continues to struggle, adding another 0-4 night. Randy Arozarena entered the series as the talk of the Rays, but his Game One will not be one he will be ready to talk about any time soon as he also left the game hitless.
The Rays have really struggled to get any production behind Arozarena and Manuel Margot. Hunter Renfroe, batted cleanup but was lifted for a pinch hitter in the seventh. Not many teams are willing to pinch-hit for their number four-hitter. If the Rays want to compete in this series, they will need to find some length in their lineup behind the two names mentioned.
Up Next
Game Two will take place Wednesday night at 8:08 ET.
The Rays will send their star lefty Blake Snell to the mound. Snell is 2-2 in his four starts this postseason.
Dodgers have yet to announce who will start Game Two. Could be a bullpen type day following an opener.
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