Month: October 2020

Tampa Bay Rays (40-20, 9-6) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (43-17, 10-3)
LHP Blake Snell (2-2, 3.20) vs. RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 9.95)
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 | 7:08 p.m. CT | Globe Life Field | Arlington, TX
World Series – Game 2
TV: FOX | Radio: AM 570 (Eng.); 1020 AM (Span.), ESPN Radio, AM 1540 (Kor.)
THE BRIGHT LIGHTS: The Dodgers jumped out to an early 2-0
lead and then scored four more runs in the bottom of the fifth to run
away with Game 1 of the World Series, 8-3, on Tuesday night. The
Dodgers walked seven times and recorded 10 hits as they won their
fourth straight postseason contest. In their last four postseason
games, the Dodgers have outscored the opposition, 22-10, and have
not allowed more than three runs in any of those games. In the 2020
postseason, the Dodgers have scored 3+ runs in 11 of their 13 games
while allowing 3 runs or less in nine of their 13 contests. The World
Series continues tonight with Game 2 at 7:08 p.m. CT before the two
teams enjoy an off day tomorrow and return to action on Friday night
with potentially three straight contests from Friday to Sunday.
Clayton Kershaw delivered in the third Game 1 World
Series start of his career, tossing 6.0 innings, allowing one
run (solo homer) and striking out eight batters. With his
strikeout of Willy Adames in the fifth inning, he passed
John Smoltz for second on the all-time postseason strikeout
list and became the second player in MLB history to record
200+ strikeouts, joining Justin Verlander (205). He is now
2-2 with a 4.68 ERA (17 ER/32.2 IP) and 35 strikeouts in
six World Series games (five starts).
Cody Bellinger socked another homer and put the Dodgers
on the board early, giving them a 2-0 lead in the fourth
inning. He became the second player in MLB history to
record a go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the LCS and hit
a homer in Game 1 of the World Series in the same year,
joining David Ortiz (2004).
The Dodgers are in their 21st World Series in franchise
history and the 12th Fall Classic appearance since moving
to Los Angeles in 1958. They now have the second most
WS appearances in MLB history, trailing only the New
York Yankees (40).
M-V-SEAGS: Corey Seager was named the 2020 NLCS MVP on
Sunday night after going 9-for-29 with five homers and 11 RBI.
Seager set NLCS records in both homers and RBI and his seven
extra-base hits are tied with Javy Lopez (1996) for the all-time NLCS
record. The native of North Carolina’s 26 total bases are the second
most all-time in an NLCS and second most to Albert Pujols, who had
28 in 2004 vs. Houston.
The infielder began his World Series campaign with three
walks and a run scored on Tuesday. It was the first time in
his career that he has drawn three walks in a postseason
game and only the fourth time in any game.
Seager finished one home run shy from tying the record for
home runs in any Postseason series, which is held by the
Rangers’ Nelson Cruz (6 in the 2011 ALCS vs. Detroit). He
is one of eight players all-time to reach at least five homers
and 11 RBI in a single Postseason. His six home runs and
15 RBI this postseason are both Dodger records for homers
and RBI in a single Postseason.
In Game 3 of the NLCS, Seager became the second player
in Postseason history to collect an RBI in five consecutive
at-bats (last two of Game 2 and first three of Game 3),
joining Carlos Beltran (2004). Last week, it was announced
that Seager was one of seven National League finalists for
the Hank Aaron Award, given to the most outstanding
regular season offensive performer in each league.

POSTSEASON POWER: Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts each
homered on Tuesday night and the Dodgers are now third in the
Majors in postseason homers with 20, trailing the Rays (26) and
Astros (22). Betts clubbed his first postseason homer in Dodger Blue
while Bellinger inched his way closer to Hall of Famer Duke
Snider’s record for Dodger Postseason home runs. The list: Snider
(11), Steve Garvey (10), Justin Turner (10), Corey Seager (9),
Max Muncy (8), Joc Pederson (8), Kiké Hernández (8), Cody
Bellinger (8) and Adrían González (7).
CAT CALL: Right-hander Tony Gonsolin will take the mound
tonight for his second postseason start and his third appearance in the
2020 postseason after allowing two runs on two hits in 2.0 innings
on Sunday night in Game 7 of the NLCS. In his two postseason
appearances, he is 0-1 with a 9.95 ERA (7 ER/6.1 IP) and eight
strikeouts. On the season, he went 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA (12 ER/46.2
IP) and 46 strikeouts in nine games (eight starts) this season. In his
eight starts, Gonsolin was 2-1 with a 1.94 ERA (9 ER/41.2 IP) and
43 strikeouts. In parts of two season with the Dodgers, the California
native is a combined 6-4 with a 2.60 ERA (25 ER/86.2 IP) and 83
strikeouts.
The 2018 Dodgers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year was
a combined 20-14 with a 3.33 ERA (100 ER/270.1 IP) and
315 strikeouts in four minor league seasons.
OCTOBER RED: Dodger third baseman Justin Turner went 1-
for-4 with one walk and extended his postseason on-base streak to
nine games on Tuesday. During his on-base streak, he is batting .273
(9-for-33) with three doubles, one homer and two RBI, while
reaching base 16 of his 40 plate appearances. The infielder has 72
postseason hits, which is a Dodger postseason record. The 2017 AllStar set the record in Game 3 of the NLDS vs. San Diego, surpassing
Steve Garvey (63). Turner also holds the club record for Postseason
RBI with 39 and playoff doubles with 16. In 66 career postseason
games (all with L.A.), Turner has hit .291 (72-for-247) with 10
homers, 16 doubles and an .882 OPS.
The infielder ended the season having reached base safely
in 31 consecutive games with a plate appearance, doing so
from Aug. 4-Sept. 27, the longest on-base streak of his
career (previous high: 28, 2011). It marked the second
longest streak in the Majors this year behind only Freddie
Freeman’s 33-game on-base streak from Aug. 11-Sept. 18. Among players with 150 or more AB, Turner ranked among the NL leaders in average (.307, 13th) and OBP (.400, T-9th). He reached 1,000 career hits with a second-inning double on August 11 against the Padres.
Turner was the Dodgers’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente
Award for the third time in four years (also: 2017, ’18) and
won his third-career Roy Campanella Award as the most
inspirational Dodger.
NO MAN LIKE MOOK: After signing a 12-year contract
extension that will keep him in Dodger blue through 2032 prior to
Opening Day, Mookie Betts made a bid to join Frank Robinson as
the only player to win the MVP award in both leagues. Betts ranked
among the NL leaders in hits (64, T-10th), runs (47, 4th), batting
average (.292, 16th), OBP (.366, 17th), SLG (.562, 13th), steals (10,
T-5th) and homers (16, T-3rd). Betts went 18-for-41 (.439) with
runners in scoring position, the third best mark in the Majors,
and was at his best late in games, posting a .343 (24-for70)/.370/.643 slashline from the seventh inning and later.
In Game 1 of the World Series, Betts went 2-for-4 with a
homer, two runs scored and two stolen bases and became
the first player in MLB history with two runs, two stolen
bases and a homer in a World Series game.
Betts, 28, has hit safely in 11 of 13 playoff games this year,
going 16-for-49 (.327) with six doubles, one homer and six
RBI. 15 of his 36 playoff hits have gone for extra-bases (13
doubles, two homers). The Dodgers are 10-1 in the
postseason when he records at least one hit.
On Aug. 13, he homered three times against the Padres,
joining Hall-of-Famer Johnny Mize and Sammy Sosa as the
only players in MLB history with six career three-homer
games. Betts also collected career-hit No. 1,000 on Aug. 27
vs. San Francisco.
MATCHUP vs. RAYS
Regular Season All-Time vs. Rays: LA leads series, 10-7
2019: Teams Split Series, 2-2 (1-1 at Dodger Stadium)
2020 Postseason: Los Angeles leads series, 1-0
Oct. 20 vs. TB at Globe Life Field: W, 8-3 W: Kershaw L: Glasnow.

WHERE THERE’S A WILL: Dodger catcher Will Smith had a
game for the ages in Game 3 of the NLDS vs. San Diego, going 5-
for-6 with two doubles and three RBI. Smith became the first Dodger
to collect five hits in a playoff game and was also the youngest player
and first catcher in Postseason history with a five-hit contest (25
years, 194 days). In 11 games this Postseason, Smith is hitting .220
(9-for-41) with a homer, three doubles, nine RBI and four runs.
EIGHT’S NOT ENOUGH: The Dodgers went 43-17 in the 60-
game season to win their record eighth straight NL West title with
the best record in the Majors. The club’s .717 winning percentage
was the best in franchise history and marked the seventh time in club
history that the Dodgers posted the Majors’ best mark (last: 2017).
The Dodgers won a division title for the eighth straight year,
something only two other franchises have accomplished:
MLB All-Time – Most Consecutive Division Titles
Braves, 1991-2005 14
Yankees, 1998-2006 9
Dodgers, 2013-2020 8 (active streak)
Source: Stats, LLC
The Dodgers reached the World Series in each of their six
previous seasons with the best record in the Majors:
Dodgers Finishing w/MLB’s Best Record, All-time
1949 Brooklyn Dodgers (tied) 97-57 (.630) Lost WS (4-1 NYY)
1952 Brooklyn Dodgers 96-57 (.627) Lost WS (4-3 NYY)
1953 Brooklyn Dodgers 105-49 (.682) Lost WS (4-2 NYY)
1955 Brooklyn Dodgers 98-55 (.641) Won WS (4-3 vs NYY)
1974 Los Angeles Dodgers 102-60 (.630) Lost WS (4-1 Oak)
2017 Los Angeles Dodgers 104-58 (.642) Lost WS (4-3 Hou)
2020 Los Angeles Dodgers 43-17 (.717) ???
THE LONG BALL: Los Angeles led the Majors with 118 home
runs in 60 games, an average of 1.97 per game. The 1.97 homers per
game represent the top mark in MLB history, topping the 2019
Minnesota Twins (1.90). The Dodgers’ previous high came last year
when the club averaged 1.72 home runs per game.
The Dodgers blasted 57 home runs in 28 August games,
setting a National League record for most home runs in a
calendar month. The mark was previously held by the
Atlanta Braves, who hit 56 in June 2019.
AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts tied for the team lead and for
third in the National League with 16 homers. Los Angeles
homered in 49 of its 60 games and went 39-10 when hitting
at least one homer. The Dodgers were 28-8 when hitting
two or more home runs in a game.
The Dodgers had five players reach double digit home runs
in the 60-game season, with Pollock, Betts, Corey Seager
(15, T-9
th NL), Cody Bellinger (12, T-18th NL) and Max
Muncy (12, T-18th NL) turning the trick. The five players
with 10+ home runs tied for the MLB lead with the Braves,
White Sox and Phillies.
I’M ABOUT TO RUN: The Dodgers led the Majors with a +136
run differential, 52 better than the next best team (Padres +84). Even
with the shortened 60-game season, the 2020 Dodgers’ +136 run
differential represents the ninth best mark in Los Angeles history.
Los Angeles led MLB with 349 runs scored, and ranked
second with 213 runs allowed (Indians, 1st, 209).
The Dodgers’ 5.82 runs per game were the most
in franchise history and ranked as the third most in NL
history behind only the 1996 & 2000 Colorado Rockies.
Los Angeles hitters batted .291 combined with runners in
scoring position (137-for-470), the second-bast mark in the
Majors behind the Padres (.310).
Los Angeles was not shut out all season, the only team in
the Majors to avoid that distinction. The Dodgers scored
five or more runs in 39 of their 60 games, posting a 36-3
record in those contests. The Dodgers scored 122 runs in
the seventh inning or later, the second most in the Majors
(Padres, 124), which helped L.A. register 19 comeback
wins. The club outscored the opposition 122-66 from the
seventh inning on.
SERIES BUSINESS: The Dodgers lost just one series all year – at
home vs. Colorado Sept. 4-6 – and finished the season with a 15-1-4
series record, including six series sweeps. Los Angeles opened the
season by going unbeaten its first 13 series, which is the fifth best
season-opening run in the divisional era (since 1969). The 1977
Dodgers hold the club mark with 14.
Los Angeles went unbeaten in its 10 road series, posting a
9-0-1 series record.
The Dodgers won the season series against every club they
played this year. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the
Dodgers became just the 4th team in the World Series era
(since 1903) to win at least 60% of their decisions against
every team they faced in a season and the first to do so in
101 years.
START ME UP: The Dodgers led the Majors in team ERA
(3.02), opponents’ batting average (.213) and WHIP (1.06), and
allowed just 1.10 home runs per 9.0 innings – the best mark in the
National League and second best in the Majors behind the Twins
(1.09). The Dodgers walked just 2.42 per 9.0 innings (1st, MLB) and
posted the best strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.96) in the NL.
Los Angeles starters led the NL with a 3.29 combined ERA
(101 ER/276.1 IP), limited opponents to a .219 batting
average (2nd, MLB) and posted an MLB-best 1.07 WHIP.
Clayton Kershaw led the Dodgers in wins (6), innings
(58.1) and strikeouts (62) in his 13th MLB season, going 6-
2 with a 2.16 ERA in 10 starts. Kershaw ranked among the
NL leaders (min. 55 IP) in wins (T-4
th), ERA (5th),
opponents’ batting average (.194, 5th) and WHIP (0.84, 2nd).
On Sept. 3, Kershaw reached 2,500 strikeouts by fanning
Arizona’s Nick Ahmed, becoming the third-youngest
pitcher in MLB history to reach the mark at 32 years, 168
days, behind only Nolan Ryan (31 years, 101 days) and
Walter Johnson (31 years, 197 days). He ended the season
ranked 36th on the all-time strikeout list, nine behind
Bartolo Colon.
Among rookies with 40.0 or more innings
pitched, Tony Gonsolin (2.31) and Dustin May (2.57)
ranked first and second, respectively, in ERA.
In nine games (eight starts), Gonsolin limited opponents to
a .189 batting average, allowed just two home runs, walked
seven, struck out 46 in 46.2 innings and posted a 0.84
WHIP – the fourth best mark in the Majors among pitchers
with 40.0 or more innings.
May became the first Dodger rookie to start on Opening
Day since Fernando Valenzuela replaced an injured Jerry
Reuss in 1981 and allowed just one run in 4.1 innings in a
no-decision on July 23 against the Giants. In 12 games (10
starts), he went 3-1 and ranked among the NL leaders (min.
50.0 IP) in ERA (2.57, 8th), opponents’ batting
average (.220, T-13th) and WHIP (1.09, T-12th).
OH WHAT A RELIEF: Dodger relievers posted a 2.74 ERA, the
best mark in the NL and the second best in the Majors behind only
the Athletics (2.72). The Los Angeles bullpen held opponents to a
.207 average (1st
, MLB) and posted a 1.04 WHIP, the best mark in
the big leagues. Dodger relievers issued just 2.57 walks per 9.0
innings and allowed only 0.82 HR/9.0 innings, leading the Majors in
both categories.
Four Los Angeles relievers placed among the NL’s top 20
qualifying relievers in ERA: Adam Kolarek (0.95,
3rd), Victor González (1.40, 4th), Dylan Floro (2.59, 16th)
and Jake McGee (2.66, T-19th).
The Dodgers had five relievers with a WHIP of 1.00 or
lower: Gonzalez (0.72, 4th NL), Kolarek (0.79, 6th NL),
McGee (0.84, 8th NL), Brusdar Graterol (0.86, T-9
th NL) and Pedro Báez (1.00, T-24th NL).
Dodger closer Kenley Jansen was selected as the National
League’s Reliever of the Month for July/August, going 1-0
with nine saves in 10 opportunities and posting a 1.23 ERA
(2 ER/14.2 IP). It was Jansen’s second career monthly
award (also: June 2017).
THE DOCTOR IS IN: Dave Roberts made it a perfect 5-for-5,
becoming the first manager in MLB history to lead his team to a
division title in each of his first five full seasons. Under Roberts, the
Dodgers have posted a Major League best 436-273 (.615) record
since 2016.Over the course of the unusual 60-game season, Roberts
used an amazing 56 different lineups in piloting the team to a .717
winning percentage.

BIG BOSS MAN: Dodger President of Baseball Operations
Andrew Friedman assembled his sixth division-winning club in as
many seasons after joining the Dodgers in the Fall of 2014. This year,
Friedman pulled off his biggest moves before the club played a
game, acquiring Mookie Betts in a three-way deal with the Red Sox
and Twins and then signing Betts to a 12-year contract on the eve of
the 60-game restart. Since taking over the top spot in baseball
operations, Freidman’s Dodger teams have gone 528-343 (.606)
while setting the record for most wins in Los Angeles Dodger history
in 2019 (106, franchise record) and the highest winning percentage
in club history (.717, 2020).
Game 3 Starter – RHP Walker Buehler: 1-0, 1.89 ERA in 4 GS
2020 Postseason:
Fired 6.0 scoreless innings in his tenth postseason start against the Braves in Game 6 of
the NLCS…despite giving up seven hits, the Kentucky native struck out six and did not
issue a walk as he earned his first win of the 2020 postseason…also started Game 1, delivering 5.0 solid frames, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven and issuing five walks on 100 pitches
Tossed 4.0 innings on one-run ball in Game 1 of the Division Series vs. the Padres, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out eight…also started Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Brewers, giving up two earned runs on three hits as he delivered 4.0 frames, striking out eight and walking two while not factoring in the decision as Los Angeles routed Milwaukee, 4-2
2020 Regular Season:
Finished the season going 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA (14 ER/36.2 IP) over eight starts, limiting opponents to a .178 average (24-for-135)
Struck out 42 batters and walked just eleven during his eight appearances…posted a 0.95 WHIP and 10.31 strikeout-per-nine innings mark
Has pitched especially well at Dodger Stadium, keeping opponents to a .114/.195/.129 slashline over four games…struck out 29 batters and walked just six in those appearances
His best outing of the year occurred at Dodger Stadium against Colorado on August 21, where he tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball, collecting a season-high 11 strikeouts while giving up only four hits…the Dodgers eventually won that matchup 5-1
Made two trips to the Injured List, both for a blister on his right hand, from Aug. 23 to Sept. 2 and again from Sept. 9 to Sept. 24….the Boys in Blue went 12-7 over that 19-game span
Career vs. Tampa Bay:
Will face the Rays for the first time in his career
Career Postseason:
Has gone 2-1 with a 2.44 ERA (15 ER/55.1 IP) in 10 postseason starts, striking out 73 batters against 21 walks and limiting opposition to a .182 batting average…also owns a 1.03 WHIP and four quality starts
Has fanned at least seven batters in nine of his ten postseason starts…according to Elias, the only other pitcher who has ever has a postseason streak that long is Randy Johnson, who produced nine straight postseason starts of seven or more strikeouts from Oct. 1997 – Nov. 3, 2001
His sole World Series appearance came against Boston in Game 3 back in 2018…fired 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits as he struck out seven without issuing a walk…did not factor in the decision as the Dodgers eventually won that marathon game, 3-2, in the 18th inning
Started twice against Atlanta in the Championship Series, giving up just one earned run over 11.0 innings to go 1-0…allowed ten hits and five walks but struck out 13 …the Dodgers went 1-1 during Buehler’s outings
In Division Series matchups, including his appearance against San Diego, the righty owns a 1-0 record over four starts, producing a 2.91 ERA (7 ER/21.2 IP) with 30 strikeouts and a .123 (9-for-73) opponent batting average
Pitched against the Milwaukee in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, throwing 4.0 innings as he gave up two runs on three hits over 73 pitches…did not factor in the decision as the Dodgers won the matchup, 4-2.

Game 2 Starter – RHP Tony Gonsolin: 0-1, 9.95 ERA in 2 G (1 GS)
2020 Postseason:
Threw from the ‘pen in Game 7 of the NLCS, tossing 2.0 innings, totaling for two earned runs, two hits, three walks, and one strikeout…made his postseason debut in Game 2, giving up five earned runs on three hits over 4.1 inning while striking out seven and walking three as he took the loss
His seven strikeouts in his first postseason appearance placed him tied for third in Dodger
history for most strikeouts in a postseason debut
2020 Regular Season:
Garnered a 2-2 record over nine games (eight starts) as he became a staple in the Dodgers’ pitching rotation this season…produced a 2.31 ERA (12 ER/46.2 IP)
accompanied with 46 strikeouts and a 0.84 WHIP
Ranks first in ERA (2.31) amongst rookies with 40.0 or more innings pitched while his counterpart Dustin May ranks second in the category with a 2.57 mark…both rookies helped Los Angeles to the top of the National League leaderboard in ERA (3.29), opponents’ batting average (.219, 2nd MLB), and 1.07 WHIP (1st MLB)
His 0.84 WHIP stands as the fourth best mark amongst pitchers with 40.0 or more innings this season
Amongst Dodger pitchers, he ranks 2nd in strikeouts (46) and 4
th in innings pitched (46.2)…gave up only seven walks and two home runs over his nine outings
Recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts on Sept. 20 against Colorado over 5.0 innings…gave up two earned runs on three hits while issuing a sole walk during that matchup
Has limited batters to a .193/.229/.289 slashline…kept lefties to a .179 average (15-for-84) and righties to a .207 average (17-for-82)
Career vs. Tampa Bay:
The 2018 Dodgers’ Minor League Pitcher of the Year has faced the Rays once on Sept. 18, 2019, throwing 2.0 innings of relief while giving up two earned runs but
striking out two and walking three
Career Postseason:
Made his postseason debut against the Braves in Game 2 of the NLCS, tossing 4.1 innings as he gave up five runs on three hits…despite taking the loss, the California
native struck out seven hitters and retired the first nine batters he faced…later threw in Game 7, giving up two earned runs over 2.0 innings while walking three
Became the fourth pitcher to make his postseason debut with a start in the League Championship Series or World Series since 2008, joining Ryan Merritt (with CLE in 2016 ALCS), Jeremy Guthrie (with KC in 2014 ALCS), and Ricky Nolasco (with LAD in 2013 NLCS)