Well, here we are. Against all odds, we made it. It’s time for the World Series.
When commissioner Rob Manfred shortened the baseball season, people questioned whether or not we’d get through week one, let alone what playoffs would look like. Now, here we are, some quarantine-filled months later, and we’re ready for the Fall Classic to start.
All the obstacles have been worked through, the weaker teams have been weeded out of competition and only two remain. It’s been a long road. So, how did we get here?
The Tampa Bay Rays set out to reach a goal they haven’t had within reach since the
2008 season and, after flirting with it for years and years, finally grabbed it. After taking down the infamous Houston Astros in 7 games, the Rays are in the World Series for the first time in 12 years. They’ve had themselves a season of a lifetime and are riding high after taking down the recently disgraced Astros team. But, the work is far from over.
Los Angeles is looking to finally take home the seemingly elusive Commissioner’s
Trophy. The bad boys out of Los Angeles have been riding the momentum of past seasons squandered and were looking for vengeance all year. After defeating Atlanta in seven historic games, they find themselves with their third National League Pennant in the last four years. It seems they don’t have any problems getting there, but rather, the trouble comes once they do get there. In those four years, they’ve yet to win a World Series.
While Tampa Bay is riding more momentum than they’ve seen in years, it’s important to remember that they’re not out of the woods yet. In their lifetime matchups, the Rays have a 7-10 record against the Dodgers. It’s not the largest sample size out there, mind you, but it’s important to take any past experience into account as we head to the Fall Classic.
By the time you read this, the World Series will be well underway. What do you think is going to happen? Will Tampa Bay see their first World Series title in franchise history or will the Dodgers finally take home the win after so many ill-fated attempts? Who will hit more home runs: Mookie Betts or Randy Arozarena? Will the Rays or Dodgers have the better bullpen? I don’t know, and it’s way too early to tell, really. But, with as much on the line as these two teams have, it’s safe to assume that we’ll see nothing but close games once the Series starts.
You can catch all the live action on ESPN, FoxSports1 and MLB Network until Oct. 28.
