L.A. Dodgers Clinch World Series Title
This past Tuesday, the LA Dodgers, led by Mookie Betters, Clayton Kershaw and Cody Bellinger, officially clinched the World Series for the first time since 1988. Defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1, the Dodgers were able to find momentum after a slow start off a great double from Betts. In a season like no other, the Dodgers celebrated their win on a neutral field site, after following other professional leagues ideas to form a loose bubble.
The Dodgers were wildy superior this season, proving to be one of the greatest teams in the program’s history. Finishing the season with 43 games and the fourth-highest per-game run differential in modern baseball, the Dodgers swept the expanded playoff field. In the National League Championship, LA faced a challenge that existed in the Braves but moved on from the series winning 4-3. Though the lineup was missing key players in Kenta Maeda, David Price and Rich Hill, the Dodgers were able to still lead the majors in runs.
With assistance from Austin Barnes, the Dodgers offense properly meshed with basement Justin Turner and Kiké Hernández to help the Dodgers cruise past the finish line. Barnes, a catcher for the Dodgers, took note of the struggles that LA had overcome saying, “We worked so hard man,” said Barnes. “We got our hearts broken so many times. This group worked so hard.” Julio Urias, a pitcher for the Dodgers, finished both the game and the season on a high note, only allowing 3 runs in 23 innings of pitching. Betts helped Urias with a comfortable lead after his home run in the bottom of the eighth.
On Tampa’s side, pitcher Blake Snell was dominant on the mound throughout the middle of the sixth inning. Allowing only two hits and striking out nine batters, Snell was looking to be the reason the Rays were still contending. Until Kevin Cash, the Rays manager, pulled him to put in Nick Anderson, a notoriously strong reliever. However, Betts used this to his advantage, after previously striking out against Snell, saying post-game, “I’m not going to ask any questions but he was pitching a great game.” To place the entire loss on this moment is arguable, but one the Rays need to consider with their use of analytics.
The Dodgers’ season can’t be talked about without bringing up the Mookie Betts factor. After signing the second-largest contract in MLB history, Betts left the Boston Red Sox for LA. Helping Boston capture their ninth World Series title in 2018, Boston fans and Betts alike thought that he would be there his entire career. He stated in an interview with David Ortiz, “No I initially thought I was going to be a Red Sox for life but God always has a plan for things. I was just following what he was telling me to do.” LA has now found a long-time impact player in Mookie Betts and owes much of the series win to his relentless playing style.