The 2020 MLB World Series kicked off on October 20th between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. After MLB’s first time using a neutral site bubble in the postseason, the two number one seeds prevailed and each team is looking to bring the second title to their city in the month of October as both the Los Angeles Lakers and Tampa Bay Lightning won the championship in their respective sport. In this series, the Dodgers are looking to win their 7th championship while the Rays are trying to win their first. Millions of viewers will be watching the two best teams in baseball clash over the next week and a half, and in this article, you will find a recap of every game until a new World Series winner is crowned.

Game One: Dodgers win 8-3

The Los Angeles Dodgers have taken a 1-0 series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays after winning in game one of the 2020 World Series. Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw got into a bit of trouble in the top of the first as the Rays had runners on first and second with only one out, Kershaw was able to settle down and retired 13 straight batters and did not allow the rays to score a run. Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow started the game having some issues with his command as he walked 2 batters in the first three innings pitched, but after the first 3 innings, it was looking like the game would be an old fashioned pitchers duel. The first two runs of the game were pushed across in the bottom of the fourth as the Dodgers center fielder and reigning National League Most Valuable Player Cody Bellinger homered to right-center field driving in both himself and first baseman Max Muncy. In the top of the fifth, Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier snapped Kershaw’s streak of 13 straight batters retired by hitting a solo home run to right field which cut the Dodgers’s in half as the game was now 2-1. The Dodgers retaliated in the bottom of the 5th by scoring 4 runs and making it a 6-1 game in their favor. The rally was set up by two walks issued by rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow, two stolen bases from superstar outfielder Mookie Betts, a stolen base from star shortstop Corey Seager, and timely hitting from the rest of the Dodger lineup. Glasnow was removed from the game after just 4 and a third innings in which he allowed 6 runs, 3 hits, and 6 walks on 112 pitches. Kershaw pitched a scoreless top half of the sixth and was removed after with a line score of 6 innings pitched, 1 earned run, and 8 strikeouts on just 78 pitches, but most importantly, he departed with his team in firm control of the game. The Rays brought out reliever Josh Flemming to start the bottom of the sixth inning and on the very first pitch he threw, outfielder Mookie Betts homered to right field, and after getting a quick popout from shortstop Corey Seager, Flemming gave up back to back doubles off the bats of third baseman Justin Turner and first baseman Max Muncy which increased the Dodger lead to 8-1. The Rays got two runs back in the top of the seventh inning as they strung together four straight hits off new Dodgers relief pitcher Dylan Floro who was quickly relieved by pitcher Victor Gonzalez after allowing 2 runs and getting just one out. Rays third baseman Joey Wendle and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier drove in the two runs, and catcher Mike Zunino had the opportunity to keep the rally alive, but he lined into a double play as Victor Gonzalez caught a line drive hit right back to him and was able to throw Rays pinch hitter Mike Brosseau out at second base in what just an all-around great play. After a scoreless bottom of the seventh and eighth inning, the Dodgers brought in Joe Kelley to close out game one and he did so with a little help from his center fielder Cody Bellinger as Bellinger made a leaping catch to take away extra bases or potentially even a home run away from the outfielder Austin Meadows. The Rays want to bounce bank in game two of the series which is on October 21st at 5:08 PM PT on Fox as they will send their ace and former American League Cy Young winner Blake Snell to battle against the right-handed pitching Tony Gonsolin for the Dodgers while they look to take a 2-0 series lead.

Game Two: Rays win 6-4

The Tampa Bay Rays have tied this series at 1-1 after coming out strong Wednesday night. The Rays got a run early as in the top of the first, Rays second baseman and potential ost valuable player candidate in the American League Brandon Lowe hit a solo home run off of Dodgers Starting Pitcher Tony Gonsolin who ended up only getting through 1 and 1/3 innings as he was relieved after 29 pitches. Tampa Bay added two more runs in the top of the fourth as right fielder Manuel Margot and first baseman Ji-Man Choi scored on a double by third baseman Joey Wendle. Margot’s and Wendle’s base hits came with two outs off of Dodgers pitcher Dustin May who had just entered the game. In the top of the fifth, the Rays had some more two-out magic as designated hitter Austin Meadows kept the inning alive with a single for Brandon Lowe who hit his second home run of the game which gave Tampa a 5-0 lead. The rays starting pitcher Blake Snell was locked in as he had not allowed a hit through the first 4 and 2/3 innings and he had struck out 9 batters and was looking for the final out of the inning when Dodgers second baseman Kike Hernandez worked a two-out walk. The Dodgers were looking for a rally of their own and left fielder Chris Taylor came through with two outs as he blasted a two-run home run off Snell trimming the Rays lead to 5-2. Snell allowed two more Dodgers to get on base in the bottom of the fifth before being relieved by Nick Anderson. Anderson was able to get Dodgers star third baseman Justin Turner to strike out with 2 runners on base to end the inning and limit the damage to only 2 runs in the inning. The Rays pushed one more run across in the top of the sixth as Joey Wendle game drove in yet another run as his sacrifice fly plated Ji-Man Choi extending the Rays lead to 4 runs. In the bottom of the sixth, however, the Dodgers retaliated as their young catcher Will Smith hit a solo homer off Nick Anderson. Both teams got through the 7th inning without allowing a run but in the bottom of the 8th, the Dodgers got within two runs as star shortstop Corey Seager hit a leadoff home run off of Rays pitcher Pete Fairbanks to make the score 6-4 Rays. Fairbanks gave up a double to third baseman Justin Turner immediately following the home run but was able to get the next two batters out before he was relieved by pitcher Aaron Loup who struck out superstar centerfielder Cody Bellinger to end the inning. The Rays threatened to extend their lead in the top of the 9th after a 1 out walk to designated hitter Yandy Diaz and a two-out single by the up-and-coming left fielder Randy Arozarena, but Dodgers pitcher Jake McGee struck out first baseman Mike Brosseau to retire the side and keep it a 2 run game going into the bottom of the ninth. Aaron Loup stayed in the game for Tampa and got two quick outs before the Rays brought in pitcher Diego Castillo to get the final out of the game and he did after getting Chris Taylor to strike-out on 3 pitches. Rays pitcher Nick Anderson got the win while Tony Gonsolin of Los Angeles was credited with the loss. Diego Castillo got the save. Game 3 of the series will take place on Friday, October 23rd at 5:08 PM PT on Fox as fans can expect to see Walker Buehler of the Dodgers go up against Charlie Morton for the Rays as each team looks to take a 2-1 series lead.

Game 3: Dodgers win 6-2

The Los Angeles Dodgers have taken a 2-1 series lead after a dominant performance by starting pitcher Walker Buehler. The Dodgers wasted no time taking the lead as in the top of the first, star third baseman Justin Turner homered off Charlie Morton with two outs to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. Buehler shut the Rays down in the first two innings and in the top of the third, the Dodgers added 2 more to their lead. Morton was able to get two quick outs but gave the Dodgers some life after hitting shortstop Corey Seager in the toe. Justin Turner promptly hit a double in the following at-bat setting up first baseman Max Muncy with 2 runners in scoring position, and he came through with a 2 rbi single making it a 3-0 game. Los Angeles added two more runs in the top of the fourth courtesy of a sacrifice bunt by catcher Austin Barnes, and a two-out single by superstar right fielder Mookie Betts. Rays starter Charlie Morton was pulled from the game in the top of the fifth after allowing 5 earned runs and 7 hits over 4 and 1/3 innings pitched. Dodgers starter Walker Buehler was pitching effectively as he did not allow a hit until Rays outfielder Manuel Margot got a one-out double in the bottom of the fifth. Shortstop Willy Adames was able to get Tampa Bay on the board after he doubled in Margot making it a 5-1 game. The Dodgers got that run right back though, as catcher Austin Barnes hit a solo home run off of John Curtiss giving the Dodgers a 5 run cushion. Buehler worked a scoreless bottom of the sixth and was pulled heading into the seventh, after a very effective night as he only allowed 3 hits, 1 earned run and struck out 10 batters over 6 innings pitched. The seventh and eighth innings went by scoreless as did the top of the ninth, but Tampa was able to push 1 more run across in the bottom of the ninth as with 2 outs, left fielder Randy Arozarena continued his great play by hitting a solo home run off of the Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen making it a 6-2 game. Jansen got first baseman, Ji-Man Choi, to line out to end the game and give the Dodgers another lead in the series. There were numerous stellar defensive plays made by both teams throughout this game that kept it relatively slow scoring. Game 4 of this series will be played on Saturday, October 24, at 5:08 PM PT on Fox. The Dodgers are going to send Julio Urias out to start the game while Tampa Bay is going to have a bullpen day as they plan on sending opener Ryan Yarbrough out for the first inning or two. This is a pivotal game for both teams as The Rays are looking to tie the series up at 2-2, while the Dodgers are looking to take a commanding 3-1 lead.

Game 4: Rays win 8-7

Wow. The Rays have tied this World Series at 2-2 after one of the craziest baseball games you will ever see. The Dodgers got off to an early 1-0 lead as third baseman hit another first-inning home run this time off pitcher Ryan Yarbrough. Star shortstop Corey Seager added to the lead with a solo homer in the top of the third off Yarbrough. Up until the bottom of the 4th, Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias was rolling, but star outfielder Randy Arozarena hit a solo shot to bring Tampa Bay back within 1 run. With two outs in the top of the fifth, first baseman Max Muncy got a rbi single giving the Dodgers the 2 run lead back. In the bottom of the inning, Rays right fielder Hunter Renfroe brought the Rays back to within 1 as he homered making it a 3-2 game. The Dodgers added another run in the top of the 6th as Kike Hernandez doubled with two outs increasing the Dodgers’ lead to 4-2. Pitcher Pedro Baez relieved Blake Treinen for the Dodgers in the bottom of the 6th and with 2 runners on base, and immediately allowed a 3 run home run off the bat of Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe to give Tampa their first lead of the night at 5-4. Aaron Loup came on the pitch for Tampa Bay in the top of the 7th and he gave up back to back hits to start the inning. He was relieved by Nick Anderson and the Rays were able to get the next two batters out, but the Dodgers scored more runs with two outs as pinch hitter Joc Pederson singled to right field driving in Seager and Turner and giving the Dodgers a 6-5 lead. Baez stayed in the game in the bottom of the 7th for Los Angeles and he gave up yet another home run this time to Kevin Kiermaier as the game was tied at 6-6. In the top of the 8th, Corey Seager continued his amazing game by driving in Chris Taylor and giving the Dodgers a 7-6 lead with two outs. The Dodgers scored all 7 runs tonight with two outs and many of them came with two strikes as well. The bottom of the 9th was absolute chaos. It began with the Dodgers bringing in their closer Kenley Jansen. He allowed a single to Kevin Kiermaier but was able to get the Rays down to their final out with only a runner on first. Jansen issued a walk to Randy Arozarena bringing outfielder Brett Phillips to the plate for Tampa Bay. Phillips was the last man on the Rays bench and was only in the game because he pinch ran for Ji-Man Choi in the 8th. On a 1-2 count, Phillips singled to center field which allowed Kiermaier to score from second base to tie the game, but center fielder Chris Taylor bobbled the ball which gave Arozarena the green light to make a break for the plate. He was roughly 20-25 feet from the plate when he stumbled and fell seemingly ending his chances of scoring the winning run, but Dodgers catcher Will Smith took his eye off the ball and missed the relay throw home which allowed Arozarena to come home and win the game for the Rays. The final play was one of the craziest endings to a World Series ever and the Rays possibly just saved their season as instead of facing a 3-1 series deficit, they have tied it at 2-2. Game 5 will be played Sunday, October 25th at 5:08 PM PT on Fox. The Dodgers will send Clayton Kershaw will go toe to toe against Tyler Glasnow for Tampa Bay as the winner of game 5 will be just one game away from winning the 2020 World Series.

Game 5: Dodgers win 4-2

The Los Angeles Dodgers have moved within one game of winning the 2020 World Series after taking game 5 4-2. The Dodgers again took the early lead as they plated two runs in the top of the first off Rays starter Tyler Glasnow. Star shortstop Corey Seager continued his hot stretch of hitting as he drove in superstar outfielder Mookie Betts and Seager later scored courtesy of a single from star outfielder Cody Bellinger. Glasnow was able to escape the inning only giving up the two runs but in the top of the second, he gave up a leadoff home run to outfielder Joc Pederson which gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead. The Rays scored their only two runs of the game in the bottom of the third inning after first baseman Yandy Diaz tripled in outfielder Kevin Kiemaier, and designated hitter Randy Arozarena singled home Diaz. The Rays had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, but outfielder Manuel Margot was caught stealing home to end the inning. The Dodgers added an insurance run in the top of the fifth after first baseman Max Muncy hit a solo home run to make it a 4-2 game. Pitching and defense took control of the rest of the game as neither team was able to push a run across the rest of the game. The bullpens of each team were great tonight as collectively the bullpens worked 7 and 1/3 innings while only allowing 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5 batters. In the bottom of the 7th, Rays third baseman Joey Wendle hit a line drive to left-center field, but Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson made a nice running play to retire Wendle. The Rays had runners on first and second with 1 out in the bottom of the 8th, but relief pitcher Victor Gonzalez was able to work his way out of trouble by getting a flyout and a lineout to end the inning. This game had few scoring opportunities compared to game 4, but the Dodgers were able to take advantage of their more than the Rays did. Clayton Kershaw was credited with the win for Los Angeles, while Tyler Glasnow was credited with the loss for Tampa. Blake Treinen came on for the Dodgers in the bottom of the 9th and closed the door, so he was credited with a save. The Dodgers will look to win the World Series on Tuesday, October 27th as Blake Snell will start for Tampa against Tony Gonsolin for Los Angeles in game 6. Tune in on Fox at 5:08 PM PT to either see the Dodgers crowned as champions or the Rays keep their season alive and force a game 7.

Game 6: Dodgers win 3-1

After 32 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers have finally won the World Series. Game 6 was the most pitcher-friendly game out of all 6 games in the series as the two teams combined for just 4 runs which was by far the smallest total. In the top of the first, star outfielder Randy Arozarena hit a solo home run to right field putting the Rays ahead 1-0. The next two hitters for Tampa Bay got on base, but Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin was able to escape the jam after getting outfielder Manuel Margot to fly out and third baseman Joey Wendle to strikeout. Blake Snell was on the hill for Tampa Bay and he pitched one of the best games of his life. Through the first 5 innings, Snell struck out 9 Dodger hitters and only allowed 1 hit. In the bottom of the 6th, Snell gave up a one-out single to the number 9 hitter Austin Barnes for Los Angeles. Manager Kevin Cash pulled Snell out of the game even though Snell had only 73 pitches and had struck out the number 1 and two hitters in the lineup both times they had faced him this game. Nick Anderson came on in relief of Snell and immediately gave up a double to superstar right fielder Mookie Betts giving the Dodgers runners on second and third with only 1 out. Anderson threw a wild pitch which allowed Barnes to come around and tie the game and then allowed Mookie Betts to score the go-ahead run off of a fielder’s choice from star shortstop Corey Seager. The momentum was firmly in the Dodgers’ favor as their bullpen had absolutely shut down the Rays offense. The Rays could not muster anything seemed to be constantly striking out. Mookie Betts added one run to the Dodgers lead in the bottom of the 8th as he hit a solo home run to make it a 3-1 ballgame. 24-year-old Julio Urias remained in the game in the top of the ninth after pithing in both the 7th and 8th inning, and he worked a 1-2-3 inning and got the final out of the World Series by striking out shortstop Willy Adames. The Dodgers bullpen collectively pitched 7 and 1/3 innings while only allowing 2 hits and striking out 12 batters. The Dodgers finally won the championship after being in the World Series for the 3rd time in 4 years and many long-tenured Dodgers including Clayton Kershaw seemed elated to finally win it all. After celebrating on the field with his teammates, it was revealed that shortstop Corey Seager was unanimously voted as the 2020 World Series MVP. The Dodgers will now look to defend their championship in the 2021 season while the Rays look to bounce bank and remain in contention for a World Series.