After a very short MLB season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are the 2020 World Series Champions. They beat the Tampa Bay Rays four games to two, and they have won their sixth title in franchise history. The World Series was hosted by the Texas Rangers in their new stadium, Globe Life Field. Since the season was only 60 games, the format of the playoffs had to change. This year, instead of doing a traditional playoff where the league has ten teams and only one wildcard in each league, they had a 16-team format. The first round was only a best of three series, the divisional series was a best of five, and lastly, the championship series and the World Series are best of seven. As of a few weeks ago, the Dodgers are now on top of the baseball world.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were the favorite to win as they have been the best team in the league. The Dodgers had the best record going into the playoffs at 43-17 during the regular season. The team was lead by two of the best hitters in the game right now, Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger. Betts, during the regular season, batted .292 with 16 HRs, 39 RBIs and 47 runs scored and Bellinger batted .237 with 12 HRs, 30 RBIs, and 33 runs scored. Despite being one of the top teams, their road to the championship was not as smooth sailing as some might think. In the wild card round, the Dodgers won in consecutive games against the Milwaukee Brewers. In the divisional round, the Dodgers went on to beat one of the most exciting teams in baseball, the San Diego Padres. In the National League Championship Series, the Dodgers made a tremendous comeback against the Atlanta Braves. The Braves were up 3-1 against the Dodgers, and the Dodgers were able to come back and win the series 4-3. Corey Seager was a huge driving force for the Dodgers in the playoffs. In the seven-game series, Seager hit .310 with 2 doubles, 5 HRs, 11 RBIs, 9 runs, and had a slugging percentage of .897. With these stats, Seager was deemed the NLCS Most Valuable Player.
Despite the Rays being a young team, they put up a pretty good fight against the Dodgers. Their pitcher staff is one of the best in the league and that helped them to a record of 40-20 on the year. The pitching, however, was not enough to stop the offensive talent the Dodgers have. Once again, the lefty-hitting shortstop, Seager, had a dominant series. Seager hit .444, had an on-base percentage of .531, OPS .926, along with four homeruns, and seven RBIs. These stats earned him the World Series Most Valuable Player.
This World Series was truly one for the ages. Brexton Beard, baseball player and MLB fan, said, “I really enjoyed the series. It was close and every game was a wild one. I really wanted the Rays to win in seven, but either way, the series was competitive and a hard-fought battle.” Although the season was quite short, the Los Angeles Dodgers still worked hard for this to happen. As for next season, many are hopeful for a regular schedule of 162 games. For the way too early odds for next year’s World Series, ESPN has the Dodgers also being the favorite. For now, the Dodgers can sit back, relax and celebrate this amazing accomplishment.
Media by Dustin Phelps.
