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Are there any relievers who are unavailable? Rays: The Rays enjoyed two days off before the start of the World Series, so the bullpen should be in good shape heading into Game 1. Dodgers: Treinen pitched in three consecutive games in high leverage, so he might need more than just the off-day to bounce back. May threw only 18 pitches in Game 7, but his wildness is sure to give management pause. Gonsolin was equally ineffective and threw 41 pitches on Sunday Kirk Gibson Jersey, so he's probably down for Game 1A long World Series drought is about to end Any injuries of note? Rays: Kiermaier is still battling a sore right hand, but the center fielder played in Saturday's Game 7. He should be full-go in the World Series. Dodgers: While celebrating his home run, Bellinger's troublesome right shoulder popped out while performing a forearm smash with Kiké Hernández. But he finished the game and has played with the same injury before. Who is hot and who is not? Rays: Arozarena is having one of the best playoff runs in Major League history. The 25-year-old rookie has seven home runs, the most by any rookie in a single postseason, and is just one hit away from tying Derek Jeter's rookie record (22). While Arozarena is red hot at the plate, the Rays are still waiting for Austin Meadows and Lowe -- All-Stars in 2019 -- to get going offensively. Meadows is 4-for-35 with two home runs, while Lowe is 6-for-52 with one homer in the postseason. Dodgers: Seager won the NLCS MVP despite going 0-for-5 in the clincher because he was unstoppable the other six games (five home runs, 11 RBIs). Hernández, who had two game-tying homers against the Braves, is one of those players who rises to the occasion of the postseason. Smith repeatedly delivered big hits in the NLCS, and Betts was game-changing with his glove. Anything else fans want to know? Rays: The Rays were the ninth team in Major League history to play a winner-take-all game in the Division Series and League Championship Series, but only the third team to win both, joining the 2012 Giants and 1981 Dodgers. Both the Giants and Dodgers won the World Series in those seasons. Dodgers: The Dodgers are in the World Series for the third time in the past four years. They have won 21 pennants, most of any NL club and second-most all-time to only the Yankees (40). A conventional schedule, with scheduled off-days Mike Piazza Dodgers Jersey, returns for the World Series. But don't expect conventional pitching strategy from the Dodgers to follow. “I don't know what conventional is,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday after announcing that Clayton Kershaw would start Game 1 on Tuesday and Walker Buehler would start Game 3 on Friday. World Series Game 1: Tues., 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FOX “Beyond Game 1, it's easy to see Walker starting Game 3. Then outside of that, it'll be kind of hard to figure out. We've got to still think through Game 2 and how that kind of unfolds, and that should kind of bleed into Game 4, as well.” Roberts explained that everything else is undecided Sandy Koufax Jersey. Even with Kershaw and Buehler also lined up for Games 5 and 7, the undecided includes how Games 2, 4 and 6 would be navigated; what roles will be given to swingmen Julio Urías, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin; and how late-inning leverage situations would be distributed now that closer Kenley Jansen has returned to form. With seven games in seven days for the National League Championship Series, Roberts started Buehler twice and Kershaw only once because of the latter's back spasms. Gonsolin started Game 2, Urías Game 3 and May Games 5 and 7 as an opener. “Considering who's rested leading up to Game 2, we have guys that are starters, but you still have to have guys rested and in the right spots for Game 2 with the days off,” said Roberts. On Sunday, May and Gonsolin pitched one and two-plus innings, respectively; Blake Treinen pitched for the third consecutive day; and Brusdar Graterol pitched one inning before Urías pitched the final three-innings to earn the win. “Even with the off-day today coming into Game 1, we're still kind of been taxed, as far as usage in the 'pen,” Roberts said. “For Clayton to start and go deep would certainly help the usage get realigned.” Urías has proved to be the most versatile and reliable pitcher Roberts has, but having thrown three innings Sunday eliminates him as a true starter for Game 2 and could result in a bullpen game that night, like in Game 7 on Sunday. “Having options to cover that game is big Jackie Robinson Jersey, because we don't have somebody that's fully rested that can give you 90 to 100 pitches for Game 2,” said Roberts. “So, you have to be creative. Having Julio to have done both roles and thrived certainly makes us feel a little bit better.” Based on the NLCS, the Dodgers are feeling better about Jansen having worked through mechanical issues. After Game 7, however, they no doubt have concerns about rookies May and Gonsolin, who pitched like rookies and combined for only nine outs when management was hoping for double that. World Series Game 1 FAQ | Position-by-position analysis Treinen proved to be a bullpen workhorse in high-leverage innings, getting more work than Graterol, Joe Kelly or Pedro Báez. Although Jansen was used to pitch the ninth inning in Games 5 and 6, both times he was facing the bottom of the Atlanta batting order. While it wasn't specifically addressed, matchups might have been a deciding factor. A different opponent and different part of the batting order could result in a different pitcher in the ninth inning this week. Roberts has said there are no set roles by inning. Six years and six days before Game 1 of the 2020 World Series, Andrew Friedman left his longtime post running the Tampa Bay Rays' front office to become the Los Angeles Dodgers' president of baseball operations. World Series Game 1: 8 p.m. ET on FOX He departed with a promise disguised as friendly banter Cody Bellinger Jersey, one that will be fulfilled when his current team lines up against his former club on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington. “We joked when I left the team that we were going to meet up in the World Series one day,” Friedman said, “and for it actually to happen is surreal.”After taking over as Tampa Bay's general manager in 2005, Friedman guided the Rays to their first World Series appearance in ‘08. The club continued to thrive in the American League East, reaching the postseason in ‘10, '11 and '13 as Friedman and his staff outmaneuvered higher-spending competition with shrewd moves, innovative tactics and a cohesive culture from owner Stuart Sternberg down to the clubhouse. That small-market success made Friedman appealing to the Dodgers, who could complement his savvy with financial might. On Oct. 14, 2014, Friedman officially left Tampa Bay for Los Angeles. Consider the impact of that decision, which is still resonating in the baseball industry. The Dodgers have enjoyed sustainable success under Friedman, winning six straight National League West titles while reaching the World Series three times. Friedman's departure from the Rays triggered a little-known contract clause that allowed then-manager Joe Maddon to opt out of his deal with the Rays. Maddon then signed with the Cubs and led them to a World Series championship in 2016. Without the architect of their roster, the Rays promoted Erik Neander (now their general manager) and Chaim Bloom (now running the Red Sox's baseball operations department) to more prominent roles in the front office. (James Click, now the Astros' GM, was further elevated when Bloom left for Boston.) Without the well-known leader in their clubhouse, team president Matt Silverman began a managerial search that led the Rays to Kevin Cash, who owns a higher winning percentage (.522) in Tampa Bay than even Maddon (.517).
“Does winning a World Series this year compare to a normal season? I think the answer is yes. For what we've been going through in the postseason, in some aspects [it's] harder with an extra round and a little more of a crapshoot with 16 teams making the tournament, that what started in October was a tough go. To be able to win a World Series after all of this will be just as special as any other one, for sure.” How they got there: LA back in Fall Classic Kershaw said he feels fine after having his Game 2 NLCS start pushed back two days because of back spasms. When he started in Game 4 instead, three of his four earned runs scored in a hard-luck sixth inning. With Kershaw going in Game 1 of the World Series (and potentially Game 5 on normal rest) and Buehler in Game 3 (and Game 7, if necessary), the Dodgers could use only four starting pitchers through the best-of-seven set. Unlike the NL Division Series and Championship Series, the Fall Classic has scheduled days off after Games 2 and 5. Kershaw watched Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS from the bullpen Fernando Valenzuela Jersey, prepared to be called in for relief. That call didn't come, but he sensed that the momentum from the Dodgers' comeback could carry over.Cody Bellinger shrugged off concern over his right shoulder popping out of its socket while he was celebrating during the Dodgers' win in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series on Sunday, and manager Dave Roberts said he expects Bellinger to start Game 1 of the World Series against the Rays on Tuesday night. Nonetheless, Roberts conceded Bellinger was not 100 percent on Monday. The injury occurred when Bellinger forearm-bashed teammate Enrique Hernández during Los Angeles' dramatic Game 7 win over Atlanta. “As I understand it, he's still a little bit sore,” Roberts said. “It's a loose shoulder. How we handle it going forward is another question. But I think, as far as right now, we're going to tape it up. There's a brace that we ordered, and I expect him to be in there [Tuesday] night. “After it came out, defense wasn't the problem. Potentially, it was swinging the bat, so I'm assuming right now he can swing the bat. Unless I hear otherwise, and if that's the case, we'll go in a different direction." Bellinger appeared to be in pain when he reached the Dodgers' dugout, but he remained in Sunday's game until the end, recording the final out by catching Austin Riley's fly ball to center field. “Oh, my shoulder's feeling pretty good Jackie Robinson Youth Jersey. I know it's happened to me a few times,” Bellinger said. Bellinger has dealt with the chronic condition since he first injured the shoulder diving for a ground ball when he was a first baseman. The injury was a contributing factor to his move to the outfield, where he's won an NL Gold Glove Award. He said this most recent occurrence is no worse than the others. “It's all the same,” Bellinger said. “That's the third or fourth time I've done it. Maybe the third time I've done it, it's all the same and the next day is the same. So, I already know, I already expected what to feel and how I was going to feel. But I feel good right now.” Bellinger started 38 games in center field this year, while AJ Pollock (15), Chris Taylor (five) and Hernández (two) also made starts there. Worth noting Third baseman Justin Turner, who had a key walk and a heads-up defensive play in Game 7, said he was impressed with his teammates talking baseball rather than celebrating after Sunday night's win, as well as a continuation of that work ethic when Monday's workout was made optional by Roberts. “We feel good, we know what's in front of us and the opportunity we have,” Turner said. “It's an optional day today, both buses were packed full of guys getting ready for [Tuesday].”According to Turner, the Dodgers are embracing the reality of a World Series between the two teams with the best records during the regular season. “When you're on this road to win the World Series Joc Pederson Jersey, you've got to beat the best to be the best, and that's what this World Series is going to be about,” Turner said. “The Rays played seven games in seven days as well and travel today, so there's no excuse for anyone. Got to go out and play good baseball.” Outfielder Mookie Betts sort of bristled at the comparison of the big-market Dodgers to the small-market Rays, as if that should have anything to do with the outcome. “The small-market thing, that's not on the players,” Betts said. “Those guys are ballplayers, and they're there to win the World Series, just like we are. They're just in a spot where it's a small market. But they didn't make it to the World Series on accident. They're good ballplayers.”The two best teams in baseball, on the World Series stage. Let's hear it for the American League champion Rays and National League champion Dodgers for adhering not only to health and safety protocols, but also to their own postseason potential. They each survived a particularly painstaking League Championship Series round to get to Game 1 of a fascinating Fall Classic tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington -- the first World Series played at a neutral site. “You've got to beat the best to be the best,” said Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, “and that's what this World Series is going to be about.” The Rangers' ballpark, which houses the World Series in its inaugural year Julio Urias Jersey, sits 1,220 miles from L.A. and 925 miles from St. Petersburg. So this is about as close to the concept of “Let's meet in the middle” as one could concoct. The World Series will still be played in the traditional 2-3-2 format, however, with the Dodgers serving as the "home" team (batting in the bottom of the inning) in Games 1 and 2 (and 6 and 7, if necessary). The Rays will be the "home" team for Games 3 and 4 (and 5, if necessary). To suggest the Dodgers, who are in the World Series for the third time in four years and trying to end a title drought that goes back to 1988, and the Rays, who are trying to avenge a loss in their only previous Fall Classic appearance in 2008, got to this best-of-seven meeting in different ways is an understatement. Though they both have Andrew Friedman's expertise running through their blood, the Dodgers have money, while the Rays have Cash ... as in, manager Kevin Cash. The Rays feed off a deep, cheap bullpen (“a stable of guys who throw 98 mph,” as Cash put it) and a sudden sensation in rookie Randy Arozarena, who won ALCS MVP. The Dodgers feed off established stars like Clayton Kershaw, Turner, NLCS MVP Corey Seager and Cody Bellinger -- who, with the help of 2018 World Series champion Mookie Betts -- are trying to get the ring that has eluded them. So this is a clash of financial contrasts. But ultimately, it's a clash of the No. 1 seeds for only the second time this century (joining Red Sox-Cardinals in 2013). We took a winding path to get to this point, but here we are: Baseball's best on baseball's biggest stage. A satisfying end to a strange year. Who are the starting pitchers? Rays: The Rays announced on Monday that Tyler Glasnow will get the ball in Game 1, followed by Blake Snell in Game 2. Glasnow warmed up in Game 7 and looked ready to pitch the ninth inning, but Pete Fairbanks was able to get the last out of the game. That allowed the Rays to head to the World Series for the second time in franchise history, but it also saved Glasnow for the start of the series. Glasnow went 5-1 with a 4.08 ERA this season and is 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA in four postseason starts. Dodgers: Kershaw will be on regular rest for Game 1. In his NLCS Game 4 start Justin Turner Jersey, pushed back two days because of back spasms, he allowed one run over the first five innings and was hurt by an infield hit, throwing error and a pair of doubles. He was charged with four runs. How will the bullpens line up after the starter? Rays: As we've seen throughout the postseason, Cash won't be afraid to go to the bullpen in key situations. He pulled Snell after just four-plus innings in Game 6, and he took out Charlie Morton despite the right-hander pitching a 66-pitch gem into the sixth one night later. Expect more of the same as the Rays are going to lean heavily on Diego Castillo, Fairbanks and Nick Anderson. The Rays are 36-1, 33-0 and 40-0 when leading after six, seven and eight innings, respectively. And it's all because of the bullpen. Dodgers: On-again, off-again closer Kenley Jansen is rested and coming off two strong outings to earn back a position of trust. Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol and Pedro Báez share right-handed leverage roles, while Joe Kelly's role has been minimized. Lefty Victor González has pitched important innings, but the Dodgers might need Julio Urías, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin to do more starting and less relieving.
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