WORLD SERIES: GAME 2 PREGAME NOTES.

The 116th
World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
World Series Game Two Notes
Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas

2020 WS RESULTS
DATE RESULT WINNING PITCHER LOSING PITCHER SAVE ATTENDANCE
Tuesday, October 20th LAD 8-3 Clayton Kershaw Tyler Glasnow — 11,388
2020 WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE
GAME DAY/DATE SITE FIRST PITCH (ET/SITE) TV/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 2 at Arlington: Tony Gonsolin (2-2, 2.31, 46 SO / 0-1, 9.95, 8 SO) vs. Blake Snell (4-2, 3.24, 63 SO / 2-2, 3.20, 19 SO)
Game 3 at Arlington: Walker Buehler (1-0, 3.44, 42 SO / 1-0, 1.89, 29 SO) vs. Charlie Morton (2-2, 4.74, 42 SO / 3-0, 0.57, 17 SO)
Game 4 at Arlington: TBD vs. TBD
116th WORLD SERIES
• 2020 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.
GAME ONE RESULTS
• The Dodgers improved to 21-30 in Game One of a
Postseason series since 1900. They are now 3-1 this
year in Game One, only losing to the Atlanta Braves in
the NLCS but previously defeating the San Diego Padres
in the NLDS and Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card. • With the loss, the Rays are 4-7 all-time in Game 1 of a
Postseason series. They are 2-2 this year in Game 1s,
defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card and
the Houston Astros in the ALCS, and also falling to the
New York Yankees in the ALDS. • The Dodgers are now 7-14 in Game One of a World Series since 1900. LA will attempt to not replicate their
effort in 2017 in which they won Game One before
losing to the Astros in a thrilling seven-game series. The
Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship was the last
time that the Club won Game One and went on to claim
the Commissioner’s Trophy. • Playing in their second World Series, the Rays remain winless in Game One of a Fall Classic, previously falling
to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008.
TAKING A 2-0 LEAD
• Fifty-six teams have jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the World
Series, with 45 of those going on to win the championship
(80.4%). A team jumping out to a 2-0 lead has gone
on to win the series in each of the last 12 occurrences
(Yankees in 1998-99-2000; Arizona in 2001;Boston in
2004 and 2007; Chicago in 2005; San Francisco in 2010
and 2012; Kansas City in 2015; Boston in 2018; and
Washington last year) and 18 of the last 19 times, with
the lone exception being Atlanta in 1996. The Braves
won the first two contests at Yankee Stadium but lost the
next four games.
TIED AT 1-1
• Of the 59 times that a World Series has been tied, 1-1,
the winner of Game 2 has gone on to capture the Series
on 31 occasions (52.5%). However, that has been the
case on just four of 12 occasions since 1993, those being
Anaheim in 2002, New York in 2009, Chicago in 2016 and
Houston in 2017. The 1993 Phillies, 1997 Indians, 2003
Yankees, 2006 Tigers, 2008 Rays, 2011 Rangers, 2013
Cardinals and 2014 Royals all won Game 2 to square the
Fall Classic, but went on to lose the Series.
MOOKIE’S ONE-OF-A-KIND NIGHT
• Mookie Betts delivered a home run and two stolen bases
in last night’s victory. He became the second player in
World Series history to post such a game, joining Chase
Utley (2008 G1). • In addition, he became the first player in World Series
history to post a home run, two stolen bases and two runs
scored in a single game. It marked only the fifth such
game in Postseason history overall, joining Jose Reyes
(2006 NLCS G6), Reggie Sanders (1995 NLDS G2), Bert
Campaneris (1973 ALCS G2) and Tommie Agee (1969
NLCS G2).
• Betts became the third Dodgers player (fourth time) to
nab two bases in a Fall Classic contest, joining Davey
Lopes (1981 G4 and 1974 G3) and Willie Davis (1965
G5).
• With two stolen bases and a walk during LA’s explosive
fifth inning, Mookie joined Hall of Famer Babe Ruth as
the only players in World Series history to record such
an inning.
• The Dodgers stole three bases in the fifth inning tonight,
marking the seventh time that has been done in a World
Series game, and the first since the New York Giants in
Game Six of the 1912 World Series.
BELL(D)INGER
• Cody Bellinger clubbed a two-run home run in the
bottom of the fourth inning tonight to give LA its first
lead of the ballgame. The round-tripper was the eighth
of his Postseason career, matching his teammates Max
Muncy, Joc Pederson and Kike Hernández for fifth-most
in franchise history. Hall of Famer Duke Snider (11) holds
the Club record and is trailed by Steve Garvey (10) and
Cody’s teammates Justin Turner (10) and Corey Seager
(10).
• Bellinger has now clubbed four home runs during the
2020 Postseason, tied for third-most in franchise history
for a single Postseason. He trails Seager, who has
launched six homers during this year’s playoff run, and
Davey Lopes (5 HR, 1978).
• In addition, the homer was his fourth career go-ahead
Postseason round-tripper, tying Snider and Seager for
second-most in Dodgers lore. Turner holds the record
with five such home runs. Bellinger also became the
second player in Postseason history to club a go-ahead
homer in Game Seven of an LCS and Game One of a
Fall Classic, joining David Ortiz (2004).
MV-POWER
• According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Cody Bellinger
and Mookie Betts became the fifth pair of former MVP
winners on the same team to both homer in a World
Series game. The explosive duo joined Barry Bonds and
Jeff Kent (2002); Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson
(1977), Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson (1966),
and Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris (1964).
CLUB 200
• With eight strikeouts last night, Clayton Kershaw became
just the second pitcher in Postseason history to register
200 career strikeouts, joining Justin Verlander. Verlander
holds the Postseason record with 205 career punchouts.
Kershaw (201) surpassed Hall of Famer John Smoltz
(199) for second-most all-time.
• Kershaw’s outing with eight punchouts and one walk
allowed was the eighth such outing in World Series
history by a Dodgers hurler, and the first since he did it
in Game One of the 2017 Fall Classic. Prior to Kershaw,
it was accomplished by Burt Hooton (1977 G2) and Don
Newcombe (1949 G1), and Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax
(1965 G5, 1965 G2, 1963 G4) and Don Drysdale (1963
G3).
• In addition, the start was Kershaw’s ninth career
Postseason outing in which he tossed at least 6.0 innings
without allowing more than one walk or a single earned
run, the most of any pitcher in Baseball history.
• The outing was also his sixth Postseason start in which
he went at least 6.0 innings with eight-or-more punchouts
while not allowing more than one earned run, joining
Justin Verlander (8), Josh Beckett (6) and Curt Schilling
(6) as the only hurlers in history to post six-or-more such
starts.
UNIQUE IN THE LOSS
• Tyler Glasnow registered eight strikeouts in the losing
effort last night, establishing a franchise record for the
most strikeouts in a Fall Classic contest.
• Glasnow became the sixth pitcher in World Series history
to tally at least eight strikeouts while pitching fewer than
5.0 innings, joining Justin Verlander (2006 G1), Jason
Schmidt (2002 G5), Bob Welch (1988 G3), Roger Craig
(1964 G4) and Ryne Duren (1958 G6).
• He became the 11th pitcher in World Series history to
record at least eight strikeouts and six walks in an outing,
and the first since Hall of Famer Steve Carlton in Game 2
of the 1980 Fall Classic.
• Glasnow became the third pitcher in history to have a
World Series outing in which he permitted at least six
runs on three hits-or-fewer, joining Guy Bush (1932 G1)
and Todd Stottlemyre (1993 G4).
• In addition, Tyler’s 112 pitches were the most by a Rays
pitcher in any game since July 7, 2108 when tomorrow’s
Game Two starter Blake Snell also threw 112. The
112-pitch outing also set a career high for Glasnow.
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 TWO STARTERS
GONSOLIN: Has made just two career Postseason
appearances, both occurring during this current playoff run.
Lost his lone decision, while posting eight strikeouts, six
walks and a 9.95 ERA over 6.1 innings pitched.
• Gonsolin started Game Two of the NLCS vs. Atlanta (7-8
loss) and made a relief appearance in Game Seven of
the NLCS vs. Atlanta (4-3 win). • Tony’s seven strikeout-performance in his first career
Postseason appearance in Game Two of the NLCS
matched Walker Buehler for the third-most in a playoff
debut in franchise history, trailing Don Newcombe (11
SO, 1949 WS G1) and Tim Belcher (10 SO, 1988 NLCS
G2). • During the regular season, Gonsolin posted a 2-2 record
with 46 punchouts, seven walks, 32 hits and a 2.31 ERA
across nine appearances (including eight starts) and
46.2 innings. • Across his first five starts of the 2020 campaign, recorded
a 0.76 ERA and 25:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 23.2
innings pitched. • Has made one career appearance against the Rays,
throwing 2.0 innings of relief on September 18, 2019.
Surrendered two earned runs while notching two
strikeouts and three walks. • No Rays player currently on their World Series roster has logged more than one at-bat against Gonsolin, nor
has any registered a hit. Joey Wendle, Hunter Renfroe,
Manuel Margot and Nate Lowe are all 0-for-1 (.000).
Austin Meadows, Ji-Man Choi and Willy Adames each
drew a walk in their lone appearances against Tony.
SNELL: Across seven career Postseason appearances,
including five starts, Blake is 2-3 with 26 strikeouts, 10 walks
and a 2.88 ERA over 25.0 innings pitched.
• Has made four starts during the 2020 Postseason, going
2-2 with a 3.20 ERA and a 19:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio
across 19.2 innings of work. Has surrendered four home
runs and 16 hits.
• Snell started Game One of the AL Wild Card vs. Toronto
(3-1 win); Game One of the ALDS vs. NY Yankees (3-9
loss); Game One of the ALCS vs. Houston (2-1 win); and
Game Six of the ALCS vs. Houston (4-7 loss).
• During the regular season, Snell delivered a 4-2 record
with 63 punchouts, 18 walks, 42 hits and a 3.24 ERA over
11 starts and 50.0 innings.
• Posted his strongest month of the 2020 campaign in
August, winning each of his three decisions with a 2.66
ERA in five starts. Collected 28 strikeouts while allowing
16 hits over 23.2 innings of action.
• Has made one career start against the Dodgers. On
September 17, 2019, retired all six batters he faced with
four strikeouts after returning from the Injured List.
• Mookie Betts has logged the most career at-bats against
Snell, batting 7-for-23 (.304) with two doubles, a home
run and six RBI. Chris Taylor, AJ Pollock, Max Muncy,
Cody Bellinger and Kike Hernández are all 0-for-1 (.000).
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 1993).
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.
• 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.
Game Two Notes – Wednesday, October 21, 2020
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.
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 respective 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.
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 Red Sox defeated the Dodgers 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.
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 WS rosters, the teams combine
for 15 foreign-born players. The 15 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);
Japan (one – Yoshitomo Tsutsugo); South Korea (one – JiMan Choi); and Venezuela (one – Brusdar Graterol).
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
off for Game Two, will be joined by (with Game Two
Assignments and number of World Series appearances,
including 2020) Laz Diaz (RF, third), Chris Guccione (1B,
second), Marvin Hudson (2B, second), Jerry Meals (3B,
second), Mark Carlson (LF, second) and Todd Tichenor
(HP, 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 21st IN BASEBALL HISTORY
Today in Baseball history, several notable feats:
• In 1973, The Oakland A’s capture their second
consecutive World Championship with a 5-2 win over the
New York Mets in Game 7 as Reggie Jackson and Bert
Campaneris both hit key two-run home runs for Oakland.
• In 1975, Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk hits one of
the most memorable home runs in Major League history
with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning
of Game 6 at Fenway Park to force a seventh game
against the Cincinnati Reds.
• In 1980, the Philadelphia Phillies win their first World
Series in their 98-year history, defeating the Kansas
City Royals 4-1 in Game 6 at Veterans Stadium. Phillies
hurler Steve Carlton holds the Royals to just four hits
over seven innings of work.
• In 2000, the New York Yankees defeat the New York
Mets in Game 1 of the Subway Series in the four-hour,
51-minute thriller, the longest World Series game ever
played to that point. José Vizcaino’s two-out single in the
12th inning gives the Yankees a 4-3 win and their 13th
consecutive Fall Classic victory.
• In 2006, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes
defeats Detroit Tigers hurler Justin Verlander in the first
World Series game started by two rookie pitchers. Reyes
allows just two runs and four hits with five strikeouts over
eight innings in the 7-2 win.
Game Two Notes – Wednesday, October 21, 2020