Tampa Bay Rays vs. Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Game 1 Betting Preview
If you think back to June, it was far from a guarantee that we’d get to this point, but the 2020 World Series is upon us. There will even be some fans in attendance when the Dodgers meet the Rays. Los Angeles is favored to win the series and are -166 in Game 1 on Tuesday night.
The Rays had the most wins in the American League during the regular season, so it’s no surprise that they won the AL pennant. Tampa Bay didn’t make it easy on themselves, nearly blowing a 3-0 lead in the ALCS before taking Game 7 from the Astros. Tampa is now in the Fall Classic for the second time in franchise history, losing to the Phillies in five games in 2008.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers ran away with their eighth consecutive NL West title during the regular season, leading the majors with 43 wins. Los Angeles is in the World Series for the third time in the last four years after erasing a 3-1 deficit in the NLCS against the Braves.
The Clayton Kershaw Redemption
While Walker Buehler has been the Los Angeles ace during the postseason, it’ll be Clayton Kershaw getting the start in Game 1. Kershaw has been heavily criticized for a drop in his performance during the playoffs in his career. After looking sharp early in the playoffs, Kershaw is coming off a loss to the Braves during the NLCS. The left-hander posted a 7.36 ERA in his two World Series starts in 2018, so he has that hanging over his head.
The good news is that the hitters on Tampa’s roster are just 9 for 60 (.076) against Kershaw combined. Two Rays players, Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe, are very familiar with Kershaw from their days with the Padres, but are just a combined 8 for 44 (.182) against him. Kershaw has never faced Randy Arozarena, who has been the catalyst for Tampa’s offense late in the season.
The Glass Man
Tyler Glasnow will get the start for the Rays in Game 1. He had an up and down regular season, and has continued tthat trend in the postseason, going 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA over four starts. In his only start during the ALCS, Glasnow took the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits over six innings, including a pair of home runs. On the bright side, Glasnow should be well-rested to face the Dodgers.
Glasnow doesn’t have a ton of experience facing the Los Angeles hitters, but the Dodgers have hit him well in small doses. Cdy Bellinger has homered in both of his at-bats against the Rays starter, while Mookie Betts is 3 for 9 with a double and two walks.
Blue Surge
While Kershaw surely has something to prove based on his World Series history, there are even more concerns about Glasnow facing the Dodgers. Tampa’s bullpen can be neutralized if Glasnow struggles early and the Dodgers take an early lead. With that in mind, bet on Los Angeles to win Game 1.
