With the World Series tied at 1-1, the series shifts to, well, actually it stays in Arlington but with the Rays batting last in Game 3. Tampa Bay bounced back from a Game 1 loss and got some offense going, churning out 10 hits in a 6-4 win.
Despite their loss in Game 2, the Dodgers remain favorites for Friday’s Game 3 with a moneyline of -154.
Walk the Walk
The Dodgers will send ace Walker Buehler to the mound in Game 3. Using Buehler in Game 3 means that he’s in line to pitch again in Game 7 if the series goes that long. Of course, Buehler had an unusual season, even compared to everyone else.
The Dodgers chose not to rush him during summer camp. He then had two short stints on the IL because of a blister, so he ended up pitching just 36.2 innings over eight starts.
However, he’s started to come around during the postseason, throwing 19 innings over four starts and posting a 1.89 ERA. In a must-win Game 6 during the NLCS, Buehler delivered six shutout innings against the Braves, so he should be ready for the Rays.
Naturally, most of the Rays haven’t seen Buehler before, as their entire roster has combined for just 11 career at-bats against the Los Angeles ace. Fortunately for the Rays, they got going offensively in Game 2 with Brandon Lowe hitting two home runs.
However, they have just six extra-base hits over two games, which is fewer than the Dodgers, so they’ll need to find a way to keep it going against the best pitcher they’re likely to see in the series.
Mr. October
The Rays will counter Buehler with their own ace, Charlie Morton. The 36-year-old has been nothing short of brilliant during the postseason, posting a 0.57 ERA over three starts and winning all three of his starts.
Oddly enough, Morton had a rather modest regular season, making nine starts and going 2-2 with a 4.74 ERA. However, he’s continued his outstanding playoff pitching in 2020. In 11 starts and one relief outing during his postseason career, Morton is now 7-2 with a 2.84 ERA, which should make Tampa confident in him pitching Game 3 and a potential Game 7.
The one L.A. hitter who Morton has faced the most in his career is Mookie Betts, who is 6-for-20 with a pair of doubles against Morton. Betts and Corey Seager figure to be the hitters who Morton must keep under wraps, as they have carried the Los Angeles lineup throughout the postseason.
Of course, the Dodgers have five home runs from five different players over the first two games of the series, so there are players up and down the lineup that Morton has to worry about.
Betting Pick
This might be the toughest game to call in this series thus far, as both teams are starting their ace and will have a fresh bullpen after a day off. However, the difference is the firepower in the Los Angeles lineup.
The Dodgers even scored a couple of runs against the Tampa bullpen in Game 2 and are more likely to scratch out a couple of runs in a potential pitcher’s duel. Bet on the Dodgers to win Game 3.
