Day: October 20, 2020

The 116th
World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
World Series Game One Notes
Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
2020 WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE
GAME DAY/DATE SITE FIRST PITCH (ET/SITE) TV/RADIO
1 Tuesday, October 20th Globe Life Field 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
2 Wednesday, October 21st Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
Thursday, October 22nd OFF DAY
3 Friday, October 23rd Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
4 Saturday, October 24th Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
5* Sunday, October 25th Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
Monday, October 26th OFF DAY
6* Tuesday, October 27th Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
7* Wednesday, October 28th Globe Life Field 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio
*If Necessary
2020 WORLD SERIES PROBABLE PITCHERS (Regular Season/Postseason)
Game 1 at Arlington: Clayton Kershaw (6-2, 2.16, 62 SO / 2-1, 3.32, 23 SO) vs. Tyler Glasnow (5-1, 4.08, 91 SO / 2-1, 4.66, 25 SO)
Game 2 at Arlington: TBD vs. Blake Snell (4-2, 3.24, 63 SO / 2-2, 3.20, 19 SO)
Game 3 at Arlington: TBD vs. TBD
Game 4 at Arlington: TBD vs. TBD
116th
WORLD SERIES
• Today marks the 116th renewal of the World Series
featuring the champions of the American League against
the champions of the National League. The Fall Classic
was first played in 1903, and has taken place every year
since 1904, when the National League champion New
York Giants and their manager John McGraw refused to
play the AL champs, the Boston Red Sox, and in 1994,
when the season ended on August 11th due to the players’
strike.
RECENT HISTORY
• Entering this year’s Fall Classic, the American League
holds the overall lead in the World Series, 66-49. The
National League has won six out of the last 10 and
eight of the last 13 with wins by the Cardinals in 2006,
the Phillies in 2008, the Giants in 2010, the Cardinals in
2011, the Giants in 2012 and 2014, the Cubs in 2016,
and the Nationals last year.
• Since the Yankees won three straight World
Championships from 1998-2000, the NL holds a narrow
lead over the AL with a 10-9 record in the Fall Classic.
• However, over a longer span in the World Series, the AL
has taken 13 of 24 since 1996; 16 of 28 starting in 1991;
and 21 of 37 times beginning in 1983.
NO REPEAT
• When the defending champion Nationals did not make
the Postseason in 2020, it guaranteed that MLB would
not have a repeat World Series Champion for the 20th
consecutive season, extending the longest such streak
in Major League history.
• In addition, the streak is the longest of its kind in the
history of the four major sports. The previous record of
18 straight seasons was shared with the NBA (from the
1969-70 season through the 1986-87 season).
FAMILIAR TERRITORY
• The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their 21st NL Pennant
in franchise history, the most of any NL Club and secondmost all-time behind the Yankees (40). • The Dodgers became just the second team since 1969
to represent the NL in the World Series three times
across four Postseasons (2017-18, 2020), joining the
Atlanta Braves, who earned four NL Pennants across five
Postseasons from 1991-96 (excluding 1994).
RELATIVE NEWCOMERS
• The Tampa Bay Rays are appearing in just their second
World Series in franchise history. In their lone appearance
in 2008, the Rays were defeated by the Phillies in five
games.
COMING IN HOT
• The Dodgers won three consecutive games while facing
elimination to win the NLCS, marking the second time
that the Clubs has accomplished the feat during a
Postseason series. During the 1981 NLDS against the
Houston Astros, the Dodgers won three straight after
falling behind two game-to-none in the best-of-five series.
• The Dodgers became the eighth team in Postseason
history to accomplish the feat in a best-of-seven LCS
series, joining the 2012 Giants; the 2007 Red Sox; the
2004 Red Sox (4); the 2003 Marlins; the 1996 Braves;
the 1986 Red Sox; and the 1985 Royals.
TAKING THE LONG ROUTE
• This year’s ALCS marked just the second in Major League
history to feature a decisive Game 7 after one Club held a
3-0 series lead. The 2004 ALCS was the only other such
occurrence, which saw the Boston Red Sox complete the
series comeback against the New York Yankees en route
to their World Series crown.
Game One Notes – Tuesday, October 20, 2020
• Following a sweep of the Blue Jays, the Rays required five
games to defeat the Yankees in the ALDS and all seven
games against the Astros to advance to the Fall Classic.
The Rays became the ninth Club in Postseason history to
play a “winner-take-all” game in both the Division Series
and Championship Series, joining the 2017 Yankees; the
2012 Giants; the 2012 Cardinals; the 2004 Astros; the
2003 Cubs; the 2003 Red Sox; the 1981 Dodgers; and
the 1981 Expos.
FIRST GAME IMPLICATIONS
• The winner of the first game of the World Series has gone
on to win the Fall Classic 72 times (62.6%). That has
been the case in 14 of the last 17 and 19 of the last 22
World Series beginning in 1997, with 2002 (San Francisco
defeating Anaheim), 2009 (Philadelphia defeating New
York), 2016 (Cleveland defeating Chicago) and 2017
(Los Angeles defeating Houston) the exceptions.
• It has also occurred in 21 of the last 26 and 26 of the last
31 Series. In addition to San Francisco, Philadelphia,
Cleveland and Los Angeles, the only other exceptions in
the last 31 Fall Classics were both by Atlanta, first game
winners versus Toronto in 1992 and New York in 1996,
but losers of each Series in six games.
• The Rays are 4-6 all-time in Game 1 of a Postseason
series. They are 2-1 this year in Game 1s, defeating the
Toronto Blue Jays in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card and the
Houston Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS, and falling to the
New York Yankees in Game 1 of the ALDS.
• Since their appearance in the 1941 World Series, the
Dodgers are 20-28 in Game 1 of a Postseason series.
They are 2-1 this year in Game 1s, losing to the Atlanta
Braves in Game 1 of the NLCS but previously defeating
the San Diego Padres in Game 1 of the NLDS and
Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card.
CREAM OF THE CROP
• This year’s Fall Classic features Clubs with the best
overall record from each league for the first time since
the Cardinals and Red Sox in 2013. Overall, it marks the
13th such matchup since 1969.
Year AL Team Record NL Team Record
2020 Tampa Bay 40-20 LA Dodgers 43-17
2013 Boston 97-65 St. Louis 97-65
1999 NY Yankees 98-64 Atlanta 103-59
1995 Cleveland 100-44 Atlanta 90-54
1992 Toronto 96-66 Atlanta 98-64
1986 Boston 108-54 NY Mets 108-54
1982 Milwaukee 95-67 St. Louis 92-70
1979 Baltimore 102-57 Pittsburgh 98-64
1978 NY Yankees 100-63 LA Dodgers 95-67
1976 NY Yankees 97-62 Cincinnati 102-60
1971 Baltimore 101-57 Pittsburgh 97-65
1970 Baltimore 108-54 Cincinnati 102-60
1969 Baltimore 109-53 NY Mets 100-62
• Should the Dodgers claim this year’s Commissioner’s
Trophy, they would become just the seventh World Series
winner in the Wild Card Era to also have posted the best
regular season record in the Majors. This was previously
accomplished by the 2018 Red Sox; the 2016 Cubs; the
2013 Red Sox; the 2009 Yankees; the 2007 Red Sox;
and the 1998 Yankees.
THE MANAGERS
Kevin Cash is in his sixth full season with the Rays, and is
making his first appearance in the Fall Classic.
• Cash has guided the Rays to a 454-416 (.522) record
during his six years at the helm. • Cash became the fifth manager in Rays history and is
already the second-longest tenured behind only Joe
Maddon (2006-14). • Across Baseball, is the third-longest tenured manager
with his current team behind Oakland’s Bob Melvin (9)
and Cleveland’s Terry Francona (8). • Finished third in 2018 and 2019 AL Manager of the Year
voting. Was behind Rocco Baldelli (MIN) and Aaron
Boone (NYY) in 2019, and Bob Melvin (OAK) and Alex
Cora (BOS) in 2018. • At age-41 during the 2019 season, became the youngest
AL East manger to lead his team to the Postseason
since 1995, when Buck Showalter of the Yankees (age
39) and Kevin Kennedy of the Red Sox (age 41) both
accomplished the feat. • Played eight seasons at the Major League level across
stints with the Blue Jays (2002-04), Rays (2005), Red
Sox (2007-08), Yankees (2009), Astros (2010) and Red
Sox (2010).
Dave Roberts is in his fifth season as manager of the
Dodgers, and has made an appearance in each Postseason
as skipper.
• Roberts piloted the Dodgers to a 436-273 (.615) record
across his five seasons at the helm. • Prior to being named manager of the Club in 2016, Roberts lost his lone game as interim manager of the San
Diego Padres in 2015. • Is the first manager in Baseball history to guide the
Dodgers to the Postseason in each of his first five
seasons with the Club. • Roberts’ Dodgers won a franchise-record 106 game
during the 2019 season. • In his first season as manager in 2016, was named
NL Manager of the Year, joining Hall of Famer Tommy
Lasorda (1983, 88) as the only managers in Club history
to win the award since its inception in 1983. • Across 10 Major League seasons, played for the Indians
(1999-2001), Dodgers (2002-04), Red Sox (2004),
Padres (2005-06) and Giants (2007-08).
GAME ONE STARTERS
KERSHAW: Across 35 career Postseason appearances,
including 28 starts, Clayton is 11-12 with 193 strikeouts, 47
walks and a 4.31 ERA over 177.1 innings pitched.
• Has made five career World Series appearances,
including four starts. Enters play with a 1-2 record to go
along with a 5.40 ERA and 27:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. • Has made three starts during the 2020 Postseason,
including a pair of victories and 3.32 ERA over 19.0
innings of work. Notched 23 strikeouts and just two
walks while allowing 16 hits. • Kershaw started Game 2 of the NL Wild Card vs.
Milwaukee (3-0 win); Game 2 of the NLDS vs. San Diego
(6-5 win); and Game 4 of the NLCS at Atlanta (2-10 loss). • During the regular season, Kershaw posted a 6-2 record
with 62 punchouts, eight walks, 41 hits and a 2.16 ERA
across 10 starts and 58.1 innings. • Following his outing on August 20th, Kershaw passed
Hall of Famer Don Drysdale on the Dodgers’ all-time
strikeout list, moving him into second place behind Hall
of Famer Don Sutton, who paces the franchise with 2,696
punchouts. His 2,526 career strikeouts place him 36th on
MLB’s all-time list.
Game One Notes – Tuesday, October 20, 2020
• Hunter Renfroe has logged the most career at-bats
against Kershaw, going 3-for-22 (.136) with a home run
and RBI. Manuel Margot is 5-for-22 (.227) with a double;
Austin Meadows is 1-for-6 (.167); Brandon Lowe is 0-for3 (.000); Ji-Man Choi is 0-for-3 (.000); Mike Zunino is
0-for-2 (.000); and Willy Adames is 0-for-2 (.000).
GLASNOW: Across six career Postseason appearances (all
starts), Tyler is 2-3 with 33 strikeouts, 11 walks and a 5.47
ERA over 26.1 innings pitched.
• Has made four starts during the 2020 Postseason, going
2-1 with a 4.66 ERA and a 25:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio
over 19.1 innings of work. Has surrendered six home
runs and 17 hits. • Glasnow started Game 2 of the AL Wild Card vs. Toronto
(8-2 win); Game 2 of the ALDS vs. NY Yankees (7-5
win); Game 5 of the ALDS vs. NY Yankees (2-1 win); and
Game 4 of the ALCS at Houston (3-4 loss). • During the regular season, Glasnow delivered a 5-1
record with 91 punchouts, 22 walks, 43 hits and a 4.08
ERA across 11 starts and 57.1 innings. • Glasnow’s 14.28 SO/9 IP ratio led the Majors (min: 50 IP)
and was the second-highest in Club history behind Brad
Boxberger (14.47) in 2014. • Mookie Betts has logged the most career at-bats against Glasnow, batting 3-for-9 (.333) with a double. Chris Taylor
is 1-for-2 (.500) with two RBI; Cody Bellinger is 2-for-2
(1.000) with two home runs and three RBI; A.J. Pollock
is 1-for-2 (.500) with a triple and RBI; Joc Pederson is
0-for-2 (.000); Max Muncy is 0-for-2 (.000); and Kiké
Hernández is 0-for-1 (.000).
COAST TO COAST
• For the fifth time since Major League Baseball began the
six-division format in 1994, the Fall Classic is featuring
teams from the NL West and the AL East. • The Dodgers defeated the Red Sox in 2018; the Red
Sox defeated the Rockies in 2007; the Diamondbacks
defeated the Yankees in 2001; and the Yankees defeated
the Padres in 1998.
TITLE TOWN(S) USA
• Both cities of Los Angeles and Tampa Bay enter the 2020
Fall Classic having already secured a championship
in one of the other ‘Big Four’ professional sports. The
Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat to claim
the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy, while the Tampa Bay
Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars to garner the Stanley
Cup. • Should the Dodgers emerge victorious from this year’s
Fall Classic, it would mark the first time since 1988 that
Los Angeles enjoyed a pair of champions in the same
year. The City of LA became the first and still is only city
to have the NBA champion and World Series champion in
the same year. It is worth noting that in 2002, the Anaheim
Angels and Lakers also both won their respectivev
championships. • Tampa Bay is vying to become just the third city in history
to have a World Series champion and Stanley Cup
champion in the same year. The feat was accomplished
by New York twice – first in 1928 with the New York
Yankees and New York Rangers, and again in 1933 with
the New York Giants and New York Rangers.
BEEN HERE BEFORE
Of the 56 players that were on the Dodgers and Rays LCS
rosters, 18 have previous World Series experience, including
17 from the Dodgers.
• Los Angeles: Pedro Báez (2018 Dodgers), Austin Barnes
(2017-18 Dodgers), Cody Bellinger (2017-18 Dodgers),
Mookie Betts (2018 Red Sox), Walker Buehler (2018
Dodgers), Dylan Floro (2018 Dodgers), Kiké Hernández
(2017-18 Dodgers), Kenley Jansen (2017-18 Dodgers),
Joe Kelly (2013 Cardinals, 2018 Red Sox), Clayton
Kershaw (2017-18 Dodgers), Max Muncy (2018 Dodgers),
Joc Pederson (2017-18 Dodgers), Corey Seager (2017
Dodgers), Chris Taylor (2017-18 Dodgers), Justin Turner
(2017-18 Dodgers), Julio Urías (2018 Dodgers), Alex
Wood (2017-18 Dodgers)
• Tampa Bay: Charlie Morton (2017 Astros)
ALL AROUND THE WORLD
• According to each Club’s LCS rosters, the teams will
combine for 13 foreign-born players. The 13 players
hail from the Dominican Republic (four – Willy Adames,
Pedro Báez, Diego Castillo, Manuel Margot); Puerto Rico
(three – Kiké Hernández, Michael Perez, Edwin Ríos);
Cuba (two – Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz); Mexico (two) Victor González, Julio Urías); Curaçao (one – Kenley Jansen); and South Korea (one – Ji-Man Choi).
WORLD SERIES UMPIRES
• Bill Miller will serve as primary Crew Chief for the umpires
in the 2020 World Series, and this will be the fourth Fall
Classic for Miller (2010, 13, 17). Miller, who will be at
first base for Game 1, will be joined by (with Game 1
Assignments and number of World Series appearances,
including 2020) Laz Diaz (HP, third), Chris Guccione (2B,
second), Marvin Hudson (3B, second), Jerry Meals (LF,
second), Mark Carlson (RF, second) and Todd Tichenor
(Off, first). Meals will serve as the crew chief in Game Two
of the World Series. The Replay Official during the World
Series will be Major League Umpire Adrian Johnson, who
will be assisted by Major League Umpire David Rackley.
MLB is deeply saddened by the passing of 34-year Major
League Umpire Derryl Cousins at the age of 74. The
Californian worked nearly 4,500 games and three World
Series (1988, 1999, 2005) and was behind the plate for White
Sox clincher in 2005.
OCTOBER 20TH IN BASEBALL HISTORY
Today in Baseball history, several notable feats:
• In 2004, the Red Sox became the first team in Major
League history to win a best-of-seven series after losing
the first three games by beating New York at Yankee
Stadium, 10 – 3, in Game 7 of the ALCS.
• In 2002, 22-year-old Francisco Rodriguez became the
youngest pitcher ever to win a World Series game.
Game One Notes – Tuesday, October 20, 2020
• In 1992, the Blue Jays take the World Series lead with
a 3-2 win over the Braves. Following a close call at the
plate involving Deion Sanders, Hall of Famer Bobby Cox
became the first manager to be ejected from a World
Series game since 1985.
• In 1990, the Reds bested the favored Athletics, 2-1, to
win the World Series in four games.
• In 1998, Orel Hershiser pitched four-hitter to lead the
Dodgers to a 5-2 victory over the A’s and the World
Series title in five games. Hershiser became only the
third player to win MVP in both the League Championship
Series and the World Series.


CEREMONIAL & OFF-FIELD ACTIVITIES FOR GAME ONE
FRONTLINE NURSE PRACTITIONERS THROWING GAME
ONE CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCHES: Tonight as the 2020
Fall Classic begins, Major League Baseball will honor the
everyday heroes who inspire us all by being on the frontlines
during the pandemic, selflessly giving of themselves for
months to serve their communities and their fellow citizens.
Throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch at Game 1 of the
World Series will be four amazing examples of that spirit,
healthcare heroes who courageously and voluntarily stepped
up to go where they were needed most. They include:
• Jamie Edens & Ryan Ward – In April, this married
couple – who are both nurses from Tulsa, Oklahoma
– resigned from their jobs, packed up their belongings,
and drove across the country to help on the frontlines of
coronavirus pandemic in New York City. Upon completing
their commitment in New York at the end of July, they
drove to Texas and continue to display the same selfless
commitment. Jaime will be throwing her ceremonial first
pitch to Ryan tonight.
• Erika Combs – Erika is an oncology nurse at Parkland
Hospital in Dallas, and voluntarily switched units to serve
in the COVID-19 unit for over a month to help meet the
needs in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
• Brittney Burns – Brittney, a Nurse Practitioner, left her
home in San Antonio, Texas to work in New York City
at the onset of the pandemic. After 101 days there, she
came back to her hometown of San Antonio where she
has now been aiding in the fight for another 100 days.
GAME ONE NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMANCE:
Arlington, Texas-based a capella group Pentatonix has
prerecorded The National Anthem for Game One, which will
be shown in Globe Life Field and on FOX during pregame
ceremonies.
“PLAY BALL!” ON THE VIDEOBOARD: Texas Governor
Greg Abbott will help usher in Game One by yelling the
traditional “PLAY BALL!” at Globe Life Field this evening.