Plenty of Bay Area teams are in counties that meet the state’s criteria — but for various reasons, they aren’t in the clear.

California OKs fans in sports stadiums: What does it mean for Bay Area pro teams? — The Reporter

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.

TORONTO FC (1) – ATLANTA UNITED FC (0) POST MATCH SUMMARY

SCORING SUMMARY

TFC – Pablo Piatti 89’ (Richie Laryea)

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

TFC – Omar Gonzalez 42’ (caution)

ATL – Miles Robinson 81’ (caution)

RECORDS

TORONTO FC:                         12-2-5   41 PTS.

ATLANTA UNITED FC:               5-10-4   19 PTS.

LINE-UPS

TORONTO FC – Quentin Westberg; Auro Jr., Omar Gonzalez, Laurent Ciman, Tony Gallacher (Richie Laryea HT’); Jonathan Osorio (C) (Michael Bradley 20’), Marky Delgado (Liam Fraser 78’), Pablo Piatti, Tsubasa Endoh (Nick DeLeon 66’), Alejandro Pozuelo, Patrick Mullins (Jayden Nelson 66’)

Substitutes Not Used: Kevin Silva, Erickson Gallardo, Ralph Priso, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty

ATLANTA UNITED FC – Brad Guzan; Miles Robinson, Fernando Meza, Anton Walkes, George Bello; Eric Remedi (Matheus Rossetto 75’), Emerson Hyndman (Marcelino Moreno HT’), Jurgen Damm (Erick Torres 66’), Mohammed Adams, Jake Mulraney (Ezequiel Barco HT’), Jon Gallagher (Brooks Lennon 66’)

Substitutes Not Used: Alec Kann, Laurence Wyke, Adam Jahn, Jeff Larentowicz

GREG VANNEY – HEAD COACH, TORONTO FC

Atlanta was a tough nut to crack. Was this just the team sticking to it?

“That was it. It was just sticking with it. I thought we had some good looks, especially in the first half, that we weren’t able to break through. Obviously, Q has to make a great save off the Torres header. Aside from that I didn’t really feel like we were too vulnerable. So, I felt like defensively we were okay. It was just a matter of figuring out the best way through them. In the first half, we were pushing a lot of numbers high and we were kind of creating a wall for ourselves and it was at times difficult for us to get through. They weren’t afraid at times to go man on man. Obviously, with our current state of our group, missing Ayo and Jozy, we had Pat trying to work and then we’re trying to work off of Pat a little bit. So, we were trying different things during the course of the game to create that window of opportunity to try to win it. We went with a lot of different looks, a lot of different shapes to try to unbalance them. In the end, we wanted to get Richie out wide in the second half. So, we try to slide Nick in and drop Liam underneath Richie so Richie could take up some high positions.  And can try to get him one on one. And Richie does what he does gets just enough space on this one to put something across the goal. And you know we don’t have the biggest guys in the box, but the littlest guy in the box managed to get his head on one and re directed beautifully to the back post.  So, you know five games in sixteen days you win them anyway you can and now we regroup, we get a couple days a home, we get a couple days of training and then another big game next go around against Philadelphia. So really proud again of the effort. It’s been an incredible five game series by our group and everybody stepping up and contributing in many different ways. So proud of the guys.”

Can you talk about Richie Laryea evolving into one of the best outside backs in the league?

“Yeah he is an incredible attacking right back. His defending has gotten a lot better just through the experiences. He’s concentrated on it, but he’s an incredible attacking right back. Obviously, his ability to unbalance defenders in the one on one situations. He’s been working on and getting better at combining with players in twos and threes on the outside so it’s at times he’s able to help us unbalance in combination play. But when we’re able to get him isolated one on one, it’s so difficult for full backs and or wingers who are having to defend him in those situations, because he’s so good, and he usually has the opportunity to really face them up and get himself set up to take them on one on one. He’s just so quick in his first step. That’s the reason why you see a similar version of it in Alphonso Davies, who is kind of a wide player or winger. When those guys get added into the attack as an extra number facing forward a lot of times, they are able to face up. If you have a fullback who can beat people on the dribble it’s like gold. So, Ritchie’s done that for us to the tune of a number of assists and again some goals this year and continues to do it. Our goal today was to get Richie on for the second half with some legs and some freshness, to be able to impact the game and it worked out for us today, and he did what he does.”

What did it mean to get Michael back on the field? Does his experience help him get right back into things?

“I think experience helps when you’ve played as much as he has been in the trenches. You know what it’s like and you have that muscle memory. The second part is he works incredibly hard every single day to get his body into peak performance and fitness. He’s worked really hard through this stretch to keep his fitness level high, but also do every little thing that he can to be ready when the time came.  I think I said it before, but he probably could have rushed back maybe a game earlier. But it took a little extra time to continue to work and to train and get sessions under his belt and he came back. I thought he looked sharp. He communicates so well within our team, telling guys when to go and to stay on the press. Defensively he’s always aware of how to manipulate things in space on the field. And obviously his composure on the ball brings us some composure to our group in general, so it was nice. He came in and he settled things down.”

MICHAEL BRADLEY – MIDFIELDER, TORONTO FC

Good teams find ways to win, you’ve seen your time do just that. Are you liking what you see out there?

“I am. Very much so. I think the mentality of our group continues to shine through in big ways. We have a group that is tried and tested and has been through a lot together. The group constantly evolves, there’s always new faces and when you have new guys that come in you try to put your arms around them right away and welcome them and make them feel at home but at the same time you make sure they understand the standards that have been put in place around here and to make sure that every single guy understands what it means to play for this club and be a part of this group. There’s examples of guys who come here and it’s not so easy for them in that regard and you have others who when they show up, they look around, they see it’s a special club and it’s a great group to be a part of it. We got to keep going, nobody is handing out any awards after tonight, we have to keep going and keep pushing and understand that the biggest games are still to come and if we can continue to get better and continue to get sharper and combine all that with our mentality, we’ll be in a good spot.”

Great goal tonight, you’ve seen Richie over the past couple seasons can you talk about his growth?

“Richie is in terms of young outside back in this league, it’s hard to think that you’re putting anybody ahead of him. I’ve seen firsthand the way that he’s taken an opportunity to come back to Toronto and work every single day, work to try and improve, work to show Greg and the coaches that he could be a guy who can be trusted in big moments as an outside back. He’s such a great teammate, he’s such a great player, he’s such an important guy on our team because his ability to connect with so many different groups of guys, he comes with a smile every single day but he’s got an edge to how he plays, how he trains, if he can continue to improve I think the ceiling for him is  still pretty far away. We love having him with us, we’re going to continue to push him and to encourage him but certainly his ability in the attacking part of the field to put defenders on the wrong foot, to go by guys, to create chances, that part is great.”

Wanted to ask about Jonathan Osorio and the job he did as captain while you were sidelined…

“I think both Oso and Marky deserve big credit in this last stretch for the way they both tweaked a little bit of the players that they naturally are to make sure that the team was successful. They understood that in a period where I wasn’t going to be on the field, that they both had to understand even a little bit more the importance of balance in a team, they had to really find a good way to work together and play together and cover for each other, to protect the defence and I think they did an incredible job, both of them. It’s easy in some moments to look at the guys who score or guys who make important plays in the attacking end and we know how important those guys are as well. But it’s also important for people on the outside to understand in this period how good, how consistent and how important Marky and Oso have been for the group. I’m proud of them both, it doesn’t surprise me one bit, I see firsthand every single day how good they are. I love playing with both of them. I think the three of us have an incredible relationship in terms of how we play together and how we understand each other so that parts great. I think for Oso to have an extended chance as captain, that part is special because he’s a Toronto boy. He understands more than anybody what it means to represent this club, to wear that flag around his arm, he understands who he’s playing for, what he’s representing and I know how much it means to him, so I think for anybody you have to appreciate that.”

-TORONTO FOOTBALL CLUB-

ATLANTA BRAVES (35-25, 8-3 in Postseason)
vs.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (43-17, 8-3 in Postseason)
RH Ian Anderson (2-0, 0.00) vs. RH Dustin May (1-0, 1.35)
NL Championship Series Game 7 • Series tied 3-3
October 18, 2020 • 8:15 p.m. • Globe Life Field • Arlington, TX • FOX/FS1

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Dodgers
continue their best-of-seven National League
Championship Series tonight with their seventh meeting
of the season…The 2020 NLCS marks the fourth
postseason series between the two clubs.
• Atlanta and Los Angeles did not play during the
regular season, and last met in 2019…The Braves
went 2-4 in six games against the Dodgers last
season, getting swept at Dodger Stadium and
winning two-of-three in Atlanta.
• The Braves’ series win against the Dodgers last
season was their first since also taking two-of-three
from Los Angeles in 2015…In 36 games between
the clubs since the start of 2016, including the
postseason, Atlanta is 12-24 (.333) vs. Los Angeles.
• The Braves and Dodgers have met three times
in postseason play, all of which have come in the
Division Series…Atlanta swept Los Angeles in the
1996 NLDS, while Los Angeles has won each of the
last two series, in 2013 and 2018, 3-1.
• RHP Ian Anderson pitched Game 2 of this
series and held the Dodgers scoreless over 4.0
innings…The 6-foot-3, 170-pound rookie from
Niskayuna, NY has yet to allow a run in three
starts this postseason, and is one of just two pitchers
in baseball history to open their postseason career
with three consecutive scoreless starts of at least
4.0 innings, joining Hall-of-Famer Christy
Mathewson.
• RHP Dustin May makes his third start and seventh
career appearance in the postseason…The 6-foot6, 180-pound native of Justin, TX, started Game 5 against Atlanta just two days ago and allowed three
hits and two runs, one earned, over 2.0 innings…
He walked a pair and struck out three.
SERIES INFO: Atlanta beat Los Angeles, 5-1, in
Game 1 of this series on Monday night, before an 8-7
win on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
• The Braves have previously gone 2-0 in a
postseason series 14 times in franchise history, and
are 12-2 (.857) in these sets…They have never lost
a Championship Series when taking a 2-0 lead.
• Just once have the Braves took a 2-0 lead in the
NLCS and played a Game 7…Atlanta was up 2-0
over Pittsburgh in 1992 and eventually won in
seven games…The Braves swept Cincinnati in
1995, and went up 2-0 over the Mets in 1999
before winning in six.
• Atlanta took a 3-1 series lead with Thursday night’s
win, and had a 3-1 lead in a playoff series for the
fifth time in franchise history…The Braves had
such a lead in the 1958 World Series, 1992 NLCS,
1995 World Series and 1999 NLCS…They would
win three of those four series.
• The Dodgers had never come back from a 3-1
series deficit to force a Game 7 prior to this series.
GAME 7: The Braves are set to play their seventh Game
7 of a playoff round today, and they are 4-2 (.667) in
these games…The Braves won the last Game 7 they played,
beating the Cardinals, 15-0, in the 1996 NLCS.
• The Braves have never lost a Game 7 in the NLCS,
going 3-0 with wins over Pittsburgh (1991 & 1992)
and St. Louis (1996).
• The Dodgers have played nine Game 7s in franchise
history, and are 4-5 (.444) in these games…They, too,
have never lost Game 7 of an NLCS, beating the
Mets in 1988 and Brewers in 2018.
CLINCH GAME: Atlanta tonight has a third chance
to clinch the series after taking a 3-1 lead Thursday
night…The Braves are 16-21 (.432) in these games in
franchise history.
• The Braves clinched in their first opportunity to do
so in both the Wild Card Series versus Cincinnati
and the NLDS vs. Miami.
• Prior to this postseason, Atlanta had gone 0-7 in
clinch games since 2001, including 0-2 last season
against St. Louis…The Braves are now 2-9 in their
last 11 clinch games.
• The Braves have been outscored 62-20 (-42) in the
nine games they have lost, and have led for a total
of 10 innings over these nine contests.
YOUNG STARTERS: Per Elias, tonight’s Game 7 is
the first winner-take-all game in history in which both
starting pitchers will be rookies…Atlanta’s Ian Anderson
has made just six career starts in the regular season, and
is the first Braves rookie to ever start a deciding game.
• Anderson starts tonight at 22 years, 169 days old,
and is the sixth youngest pitcher in history to start
a winner-take-all playoff game.
• He is the youngest to do so since Cleveland’s Jaret
Wright started Game 7 of the 1997 World Series at
21 years, 301 days.
• Bret Saberhagen (1985 World Series & ALCS),
Fernando Valenzuela (1981 NLCS), Marty Bystrom
(1980 NLCS) and Don Gullett (1972 NLCS) are
the only other pitchers younger than Anderson to
start a winner-take-all playoff game.
FREDDIE FREEMAN: Went 1-for-4 last night and
has hits in a postseason career-best seven straight games,
dating to Game 3 of the Division Series…He has hit
.423/.500/.769 (11-for-26) in this stretch…It is the
longest postseason hitting streak by a Braves player since
Rafael Furcal and Andruw Jones had nine-game streaks
that lasted into the 2005 postseason.
• Marquis Grissom holds the franchise record, hitting
in 15 straight postseason games, in a stretch that
spans the 1995 and 1996 seasons.
• Freeman has 11 total hits in this seven-game
stretch…His only other hit this postseason was a
walk-off single in the 13th inning of Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.

48 Ian Anderson

RHP • 6-3 • 170 • 22 yrs
2020 Record: 3-2, 1.95 ERA • 2019 Record (MiLB): 8-7, 3.38 ERA
2020 Postseason: 2-0, 0.00 ERA • Career Postseason: 2-0, 0.00 ERA
vs. RHB: .200 (12-60), 1 HR • vs. LHB: .145 (9-62), 0 HR
Game 7 Starting Pitcher
Today’s Game
• Makes his fourth career playoff start, and just the 10th start of his major league
career.
• With his start in the Wild Card Game, became the first pitcher in franchise
history to start in the postseason despite making no more than six career
regular season appearances.
• Anderson was the first pitcher in baseball to make a postseason start with no
more than six career regular season games since Cleveland’s Ryan Merritt in
Game 5 of the 2016 ALCS vs. Toronto…Merritt held the Blue Jays to two hits
over 4.1 scoreless innings despite pitching in just four major league games and
making one start prior to the playoffs.
• Starts Game 7 tonight, and is the first Braves rookie to ever start a winner-take-all
playoff game.
• Anderson starts tonight at 22 years, 169 days old, and is the sixth youngest
pitcher in history to start a winner-take-all playoff game.
• He is the youngest to do so since Cleveland’s Jaret Wright started Game 7 of
the 1997 World Series at 21 years, 301 days.
• Bret Saberhagen (1985 World Series & ALCS), Fernando Valenzuela (1981
NLCS), Marty Bystrom (1980 NLCS) and Don Gullett (1972 NLCS) are
the only other pitchers younger than Anderson to start a winner-take-all
playoff game.
• Started Game 2 of this NLCS and held the Dodgers scoreless over 4.0 innings…
Allowed one hit and five walks and struck out five.
• Each of his three starts this postseason have been scoreless, and he is the first
pitcher in franchise history to make three straight playoff starts and not allow
a run…Anderson is one of just two pitchers in baseball history to open their
postseason career with three consecutive scoreless starts of at least 4.0 innings,
joining Hall-of-Famer Christy Mathewson…Mathewson pitched shutouts
in Game 1, Game 3 and Game 5 of the 1905 World Series in his first three
playoff starts.
• Walked a career-most five batters, doing so in just 4.0 innings in the start…
Became the second pitcher in playoff history to walk at least five batters in
fewer than 5.0 innings and not allow a run…Cleveland’s Dennis Martinez
allowed four hits and five walks over 4.2 scoreless in Game 6 of the 1995
World Series versus Atlanta, which the Braves ultimately won to clinch the title.
• Made his second career postseason start in Game 2 of the NLDS and held Miami
to just three hits and one walk over 5.2 scoreless innings, striking out eight.
• Blanked Cincinnati in his playoff debut, and is just the third pitcher in franchise
history with back-to-back scoreless starts in the postseason…Steve Avery did
so in Games 2 and 6 of the 1991 NLCS at Pittsburgh, and Lew Burdette did
so in Games 5 and 7 of the 1957 World Series vs. New York.
• Anderson is the first pitcher in franchise history with multiple scoreless
postseason starts in which he allowed no more than three hits and struck out
at least eight after doing so in each of his first two postseason appearances…
He is just the eighth pitcher in history with two such playoff starts, joining
Trevor Bauer, Kevin Brown, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Cliff Lee, Pedro
Martinez and Justin Verlander…No pitcher has three such starts in the playoffs.
2020 Recap
• Made six starts during his rookie campaign and went 3-2 with a 1.95 ERA (7
ER/32.1 IP) and 41 strikeouts.
• Entered 2020 ranked by MLB.com as Atlanta’s top pitching prospect, and as the Braves’ No. 3 prospect overall…He is rated as the No. 42 prospect in baseball.
• His 41 strikeouts are the most by a Braves pitcher through their first six
appearances in the live-ball era, passing Mike Minor who had 36.
• Since the Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966, just one other starter opened their
career with six starts and a lower ERA than Anderson’s 1.95 mark…David
Hale pitched to a 1.83 ERA over six starts between 2013-14.
• Beat the Yankees in his debut, August 26, and beat Boston in his next start, September 1…Became just the second pitcher since 1920 to beat the Yankees and Red Sox in his first two starts.
• Became just the 18th pitcher in baseball’s live-ball (since 1920) to start against both the Yankees and Red Sox in their first two games, with the Angels’ Jason Dickson doing so last in 1996.
• Of the 17 starters prior to Anderson to face the Yankees and Red Sox in their
first two games since 1920, just one had earned the win in both games…
Cleveland’s Luis Tiant beat the Yankees, 3-0 in his debut on July 19, 1964,
before beating the Red Sox, 6-1, on July 24.
Career Recap
• Selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round (3rd overall) of the 2016 First-Year
Player Draft…Signed by Greg Morhardt.
• In 80 career minor league games, all of which were starts, he is 17-21 with a 2.91
ERA (122 ER/377.2 IP) and 451 strikeouts.
• Was a 2019 Future’s Game selection, has been named to six minor league All-Star teams, and is a three-time Pitcher of the Week in the minors.

WINNER TAKES THE PENNANT!: The Dodgers jumped on the
board early with three runs in the first frame, got 6.0 scoreless
innings from starter Walker Buehler and held on for a 3-1 victory
setting up a winner-take-all Game 7 for the NL pennant this evening
at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX. Los Angeles is playing in its
fifth NLCS in the last eight years and fourth in the last five seasons.
The Dodgers and Braves have met three previous times in the
Postseason, all in the NLDS (1996, 2013 and 2018).
The Dodgers have now won three straight NLCS
elimination games (Game 7 2018, Games 5 and 6, 2020)
and need to win a fourth today to advance to the World
Series and claim their 24th NL pennant in club history.
The Dodgers are 7-6 all-time in winner-take-all contests
and this will be the sixth consecutive year that have played
in one of those do-or-die games. L.A. is 4-4 all-time in
decisive Game 7s.
Since the advent of the LCS in 1969, a team facing a 3-1
deficit has come back to force a Game 7 11 times (including
this NLCS), with the team trailing 3-1 winning on seven of
those occasions. The last instance was 2012, when the
Giants came back from down 3-1 to beat the Cardinals.
Since 1969, when the League Championship Series was
introduced to Major League Baseball, the Dodgers have
appeared in the LCS 14 times, which is tied with the
Cardinals for the most in the National League. The Dodgers
and Braves (11) are two of seven franchises that have
appeared in the LCS 10+ times.
1981 VIBES: In 1981, the Dodgers roared back from down 0-2 and
won three consecutive games twice, downing Houston in the
Division Series, 3-2 and the Yankees in the Fall Classic, 4-2. A
victory tonight would give L.A. three consecutive NLCS wins for
the third time in history. The Dodgers also won Games 2, 3 and 4
over the Phillies in ‘77 and beat the Cubs in Games 1, 2 and 3 in ‘17.
CAN YOU SPELL M-V-P?: Corey Seager went 1-for-4 with a
solo home run yesterday and is now hitting .333 (14-for-42) this
Postseason with an NL-best six homers and 15 RBI. His 1.253 OPS
ranks third among all playoff performers with at least 25 at-bats.
Seager is hitting .375 (-for-24) with five homers, 11 RBI
and seven extra-base hits in the NLCS. Seager has set
NLCS records in both homers and RBI and his seven extrabase 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, trailing only
Albert Pujols, who had 28 in 2004 vs. Houston.
Seager is 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). On Wednesday, 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: Corey Seager and Justin Turner belted
back-to-back solo home runs yesterday afternoon in the first inning
and that ended up being all the runs the Dodgers would need in their
3-1 win. Both Seager and Turner inched their way closer to Hall of
Famer Duke Snider’s record for Dodger Postseason home runs. The
list: Snider (11), Steve Garvey (10), Turner (10), Seager (9), Max
Muncy (8), Joc Pederson (8), Kiké Hernández (7) and Adrían
González (7).
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) ???
FAST EDDY: Designated hitter Edwin Ríos drove in both runs for
Los Angeles in Game 4 of the NLCS, clocking the first-ever home
run by a DH in a National League Championship Series game. The
homer was the fourth Postseason long ball all-time by a Dodger
designated hitter. The others were hit by Matt Kemp (Game 1 2018
WS), Joc Pederson (Game 4 2017 WS) and Mike Davis (Game 5
1988 WS).
OCTOBER RED: Dodger third baseman Justin Turner went 1-
for-3 with a walk and his 10th career Postseason homer yesterday,
adding to his record for most career Postseason hits by a Dodger with

71. The 2017 All-Star 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 15. In
    65 career postseason games (all with L.A.), Turner has hit .295 (71-
    for-241) with 10 homers, 15 doubles and an .884 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.
72. 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.
    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.

RHP Dustin May: 1-0, 1.35 ERA in 4 G (2 GS)

2020 Postseason:
Tossed 2.0 innings Friday night in his second start of this postseason, allowing two runs
(one earned) on three hits as he struck out three on 55 pitches while not factoring in the
decision…also pitched from the bullpen in Game 1 of the series, striking out two over 1.2
scoreless innings
Started Game 3 of the Division Series, delivering a scoreless inning with one strikeout
and one walk over 16 pitches
Earned his first postseason win in Game 1 of the Division Series against the Padres after
firing 2.0 scoreless frames without allowing a hit or walk…retired all six batters he faced and struck out three on 27 pitches
2020 Regular Season:
Ranked amongst National League leaders (min. 50.0 IP) in ERA (2.57, 8th), opponents’ batting average (.220, T-13th), and WHIP (1.09, T-12th)
In 12 appearances (ten starts) this season, the Texas native earned a 3-1 record with a 2.57 ERA (16 ER/56.0 IP) paired with 44 strikeouts and 16 issued walks…also posted a 1.09 WHIP and produced three quality starts
Pitched out of the ‘pen twice this season (9/16 at San Diego, 9/27 vs. Los Angeles (AL)), earning a win and averaging a 0.96 ERA (1 ER/9.1 IP)…kept opposing hitters
to a .161 batting average (5-for31) while recording 11 punchouts
Has not allowed more than two earned runs in a game this season and in his Dodger career, has not allowed more than three earned runs in his 14 starts…according to STATS LLC, that streak is the longest in Dodger history for a pitcher who has not allowed three or more runs
Has been effective against batters on both sides of the plate, limiting right-handed batters to a .198 average (21-for-106) and lefties to a .242 mark (24-for-99)
Became the first Dodger rookie to start an Opening Day since Fernando Valenzuela replaced an injured Jerry Reuss in 1981…joined Valenzuela, Hal Gregg and Henry Schmidt as the only Dodger rookies to make an Opening Day start….tossed 4.1 innings in a no-decision start on July 23 against the Giants
Career vs. Atlanta:
Has pitched against the Braves three times during his time in the Major Leagues, appearing out of the ‘pen on August 18, 2019 and throwing 2.0 innings as he allowed
four earned runs on three hits, of the nine batters he faced, he walked one without recording a strikeout as he recorded the loss…also faced Atlanta in Game 1 of the
NLCS, delivering 1.2 scoreless innings as he struck out two on 21 pitches and later starting against the Braves in Game 5, striking out two over 2.0 innings as he allowed
two runs (one earned) on three hits while not factoring in the decision
Career Postseason:
Owns a 1-0 career postseason record over six games (two starts) with a 1.80 ERA (2 ER/10.0 IP) and 1.20 WHIP…has allowed seven hits and five walks while striking out 10…has limited the opposition to a .219 average
Pitched in both Game 1 and Game 5 of the Championship series against Atlanta, tossing 3.2 combined innings as he relinquished two runs (one earned) and struck out five…did not factor in either decision as the Dodgers fell to the Braves in Game 1 with a score of 1-5 but later redeemed themselves by winning Game 5, 7-3 Appeared in Game 1 of the Division Series out of the ‘pen and later started Game 3, pitching a combined 3.0 scoreless innings vs. the Padres, giving up just one walk and striking out four without allowing a hit…earned his first postseason win in Game 1.

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-9th 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-4th), 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-9th 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.

MOOKIE MAGIC: 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.
Betts, 28, has hit safely in nine of 11 playoff games this
year, going 12-for-41 (.293) with five doubles and five RBI.
13 of his 32 playoff hits have gone for extra-bases (12
doubles, one homer).
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.
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).

Atlanta Braves (35-25, 8-2) vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (43-17, 7-3)
LHP Max Fried (0-0, 2.65) vs. RHP Walker Buehler (0-0, 2.77)
Saturday, October 17, 2020 | 3:38 p.m. CT | Globe Life Field | Arlington, TX
National League Championship Series – Game 6

TODAY’S GAME: The Braves and Dodgers continue
their best-of-seven National League Championship
Series tonight with their sixth meeting of the season…
The 2020 NLCS marks the fourth postseason series
between the two clubs.
• Atlanta and Los Angeles did not play during the
regular season, and last met in 2019…The Braves
went 2-4 in six games against the Dodgers last
season, getting swept at Dodger Stadium and
winning two-of-three in Atlanta.
• The Braves’ series win against the Dodgers last
season was their first since also taking two-of-three
from Los Angeles in 2015…In 35 games between
the clubs since the start of 2016, including the
postseason, Atlanta is 12-23 (.343) vs. Los Angeles.
• The Braves and Dodgers have met three times
in postseason play, all of which have come in the
Division Series…Atlanta swept Los Angeles in the
1996 NLDS, while Los Angeles has won each of the
last two series, in 2013 and 2018, 3-1.
• LHP Max Fried started Game 1 of the series and
held the Dodgers to one run over 6.0 innings…
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound left-hander was born
in Santa Monica, Calif., and attended Harvard Westlake Upper School, located 14 miles from Dodger Stadium, for his final year of high school.
• RHP Walker Buehler is set for his 10th career
postseason start and his third playoff start versus
Atlanta…He started against Fried in Game 1 and
walked five while allowing one run in 5.0 innings…
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound native of Crestview Hills,
Ky., has won both of his regular season starts versus
the Braves, going 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA.
SERIES LEAD: Atlanta beat Los Angeles, 5-1, in
Game 1 of this series on Monday night, before an 8-7
win on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
• The Braves have previously gone 2-0 in a
postseason series 14 times in franchise history, and
are 12-2 (.857) in these sets…They have never lost
a Championship Series when taking a 2-0 lead.
• The Braves took a 2-0 lead in the 1992 LCS
vs. Pittsburgh and won in seven games, swept
Cincinnati in 1995, and went up 2-0 over the Mets
in 1999 before winning in six.
• Atlanta took a 3-1 series lead with Thursday night’s
win, and had a 3-1 lead in a playoff series for the
fifth time in franchise history…The Braves had
such a lead in the 1958 World Series, 1992 NLCS,
1995 World Series and 1999 NLCS…They would
win three of those four series.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SNIT!: Braves manager Brian
Snitker celebrates his 65th birthday today.
• Snitker completed his 44th season in the Braves
organization in 2020, and his fourth full campaign
as the Braves manager… He is 353-317 (.527) at the
major league level and was named NL Manager of
the Year in 2018
GAME 6: The Braves are set to play their 15th Game
6 of a playoff round today, and they are 4-10 (.286) in
these games…The Braves won the last Game 6 they played,
beating the Mets, 10-9, in the 1999 NLCS.
• The Braves are 3-4 in Game 6 of the NLCS,
winning in 1991, 1996 and 1999.
PACHE’S RBI STREAK: 21-year-old Cristian Pache
had an RBI single in Atlanta’s second inning last night,
and he finished the night 1-for-3…Pache has started in
center field the past four games, and has driven in a run
in each of those games.
• He is just the second player in baseball history, his
age or younger, to drive in a run in four consecutive
postseason games…Nationals’ OF Juan Soto is the
only other player to do so, driving in runs in Games
4-7 of last year’s World Series.
POSTSEASON RECORD: Travis d’Arnaud went
1-for-3 last night and drove in two…He has 10 RBI
this postseason, most by a Braves catcher in a single
postseason in franchise history.
• Javy López held the previous record, driving in nine
in 1995.
• d’Arnaud plated seven runs during the NLDS, and
has three so far in this series.
• His 10 RBI are the most by a catcher in a postseason
in 10 years, when Mike Napoli drove in 13 and
Yadier Molina plated 12 in 2011.
GAME 1 REDUX: Today’s starting pitchers both started
Game 1 of this series, which Atlanta would win, 5-1.
• Atlanta starter Max Fried held the Dodgers to
four hits and one run over 6.0 innings… He struck
out a postseason career-high nine, tying the most
by a Braves left-hander in playoff history…Mike
Hampton fanned nine in Game 2 of the 2003
NLDS, and Steve Avery struck out nine twice
(Game 2 of the 1991 NLCS and Game 3 of the
1992 World Series).
• Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler limited
Atlanta to three hits and one run over 5.0 innings,
and walked a career-most five batters…He struck
out seven hitters on the night and has fanned at least
seven in each of his nine career postseason starts…
That run matches Hall-of-Famer Randy Johnson
for the most consecutive games with at least seven
strikeouts in the postseason.
LEAD AFTER FIVE: Atlanta led Los Angeles, 2-1,
after five innings last night before allowing three runs
in both the sixth and seventh innings…The loss was the
Braves’ second of the season when leading after five.
• Atlanta was 26-1 when leading after five innings
prior to last night’s game, the best record in the NL.
• Los Angeles was 7-7 in the regular season when
trailing after five, the only team in baseball without
a losing record.

ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO: The Dodgers stormed back from an
early two-run deficit and pulled to within two games of their third
pennant in four years with a 7-3 victory in Game 5 of the NLCS last
night. The Boys in Blue will look to even the series in an afternoon
tilt at Globe Life Field today vs. the Braves in Game 6 at 3:38 p.m.
CT. Los Angeles is playing in its fifth National League
Championship Series in the last eight years and fourth in the last five
seasons. The Dodgers and Braves have met three previous times in
the Postseason, all in the NLDS (1996, 2013 and 2018).
The Dodgers have now won two straight NLCS elimination
games and need to win a third today to advance to Game 7.
Los Angeles is 6-6 all-time in NLCS elimination contests.
Since 1969, when the League Championship Series was
introduced to Major League Baseball, the Dodgers have
appeared in the LCS 14 times, which is tied with the
Cardinals for the most in the National League. The Dodgers
and Braves (11) are two of seven franchises that have
appeared in the LCS 10+ times.
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1981: In 1981, the Dodgers roared back from
down 0-2 and won three consecutive games twice, downing Houston
in the Division Series, 3-2 and the Yankees in the Fall Classic, 4-2.
SEAGER STRONG X 2: Dodger shortstop Corey Seager went 2-
for-4 with two homers and three RBI last night and is now hitting
.324 (13-for-38) this Postseason with a league-leading five homers
and 14 RBI. His 1.251 OPS ranks fifth among all playoff performers
with at least 20 AB. Seager is the first player in NLCS history with
both four homers and 10 RBI and he has currently tied the NLCS
records for homers and RBI in one NLCS.
His five home runs and 14 RBI this postseason are tied for
the most by any Dodger in a single postseason, matching
Davey Lopes’s five homers in 1978 and Justin Turner’s
14 RBI in 2017.
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). On Wednesday, 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: The Dodgers belted three home runs last
night after hitting a Postseason franchise record five home runs in
Game 3 of the NLCS with five different players turning the trick.
Corey Seager’s two-homer night allows him to creep up into a tie
for fourth all-time on the Dodgers’ Postseason home run list. The
list: Duke Snider (11), Steve Garvey (10), Justin Turner (9), Max
Muncy (8), Joc Pederson (8), Seager (8), Kiké Hernández (7) and
Adrían González (7).
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) ???
WALK OF LIFE: Dodger right-hander Walker Buehler will get
the start today for Game 6 of the NLCS and this will also mark his
fourth postseason start of 2020, following two outings of 4.0 innings
apiece vs. the Brewers and Padres and a solid outing vs. Atlanta in
Game 1 of the NLCS (5.0 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 5 BB, 7 K). Thus far, he has
posted a 2.77 ERA (4 ER/13.0 IP) while striking out 23 and holding
the opposition to just eight hits (8-for-47, .170). Tonight, will be
Buehler’s 10th career Postseason start and he is 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA
(15 ER/49.1 IP) and 67 strikeouts against 21 walks. This will be
Buehler’s fourth NLCS start and he is 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA (6
ER/16.2 IP) and 22 strikeouts in his previous three outings against
the Brewers in 2018 (Games 3 and 7) and Game 1 this year. Overall,
the Dodgers are 5-4 in the Postseason when Buehler starts.
Despite several short outings, Buehler has struck out at least
seven batters in each of his previous nine Postseason starts.
According to Elias, the only other pitcher who has ever had
a Postseason streak that long is Randy Johnson, who had
nine straight starts of seven or more Ks from Oct. 5, 1997-
Nov. 3, 2001.
With two trips to the injured list due to a blister on his right
hand, Buehler went 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA (14 ER/36.2 IP)
and 42 strikeouts in eight starts. He limited the opposition
to a .178 average and registered a 0.95 WHIP.
FAST EDDY: Designated hitter Edwin Ríos drove in both runs for
Los Angeles in Game 4 of the NLCS, clocking the first-ever home
run by a DH in a National League Championship Series game. The
homer was the fourth Postseason long ball all-time by a Dodger
designated hitter. The others were hit by Matt Kemp (Game 1 2018
WS), Joc Pederson (Game 4 2017 WS) and Mike Davis (Game 5
1988 WS).
OCTOBER RED: Dodger third baseman Justin Turner went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored last night, adding to his record
for most career Postseason hits by a Dodger with 70. The 2017 All Star 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 38 and playoff doubles with 15. In 64 career postseason
games (all with L.A.), Turner has hit .294 (70-for-238) with nine
homers, 14 doubles and an .872 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.
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).

MOOKIE MAGIC: 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.
Betts, 28, has hit safely in eight of 10 playoff games this
year, going 11-for-37 (.297) with five doubles and five RBI.
13 of his 31 playoff hits have gone for extra-bases (12
doubles, one homer).
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.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS (43-17, 6-3) vs. Atlanta Braves (35-25, 8-1)
RHP Dustin May (1-0, 0.00) vs. LHP A.J. Minter (1-0, 3.86)
Friday, October 16, 2020 | 8:08 p.m. CT | Globe Life Field | Arlington, TX
National League Championship Series – Game 5
TV: FS1 | Radio: AM 570 (Eng.); 1020 AM (Span.), ESPN Radio.

ONE AT A TIME: The Dodgers lost Game 4 of the NLCS last
night, 10-2, and are now trailing in their best-of-seven series, 3-1,
with Game 5 on tap tonight at 8:08 p.m. CT in Arlington, TX. Los
Angeles is playing in its fifth National League Championship Series
in the last eight years and fourth in the last five seasons. The Dodgers
and Braves had never met in a Postseason series with a World Series
berth on the line, but have met three previous times, all in the NLDS
(1996, 2013 and 2018). Los Angeles beat the Braves 3-1 in both the
2013 and 2018 NLDS. Atlanta swept the Dodgers in the 1996 NLDS.
The Dodgers need three consecutive wins to move into the
World Series for the third time in the last four seasons.
Despite the fact the club only played 60 regular season
games, Los Angeles had a winning streak of three contests
or more on seven different occasions this year. For good
measure, they tacked on another in the Postseason, winning
five consecutive games against the Brewers and Padres to
advance to the NLCS.
Since 1969, when the League Championship Series was
introduced to Major League Baseball, the Dodgers have
appeared in the LCS 14 times, which is tied with the
Cardinals for the most in the National League. The Dodgers
and Braves (11) are two of seven franchises that have
appeared in the LCS 10+ times.
PARTY LIKE IT’S 1981: In 1981, the Dodgers roared back from
down 0-2 and won three consecutive games twice, downing Houston
in the Division Series, 3-2 and the Yankees in the Fall Classic, 4-2.
SEAGER STRONG: Dodger shortstop Corey Seager went 0-for-4
last night and is now hitting .324 (11-for-34) this Postseason with
three homers and a league-leading 11 RBI. His 1.106 OPS ranks
eighth among all playoff performers with at least 20 AB. 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). On
Wednesday, 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: The Dodgers hit a Postseason franchise
record five home runs in Game 3 of the NLCS with five different
players turning the trick. Among the homers was a grand slam by
Max Muncy and a three-run shot by Joc Pederson, who are now
both tied for fourth all-time on the Dodgers’ Postseason home run
list. The list: Duke Snider (11), Steve Garvey (10), Justin Turner
(9), Muncy (8), Pederson (8), Kiké Hernández (7) and Adrían
González (7).
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).

Game 5 Starter – RHP Dustin May: 1-0, 0.00 ERA in 3 G (1 GS)
2020 Postseason:
Tossed 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen Monday night against the Braves, striking out two batters and relinquishing one walk on 21 pitches, 14 of those pitches being strikes Started Game 3 of the Division Series on Thursday night, delivering a scoreless inning with one strikeout and one walk over 16 pitches
Earned his first postseason win in Game 1 of the Division Series against the Padres after firing 2.0 scoreless frames without allowing a hit or walk…retired all six batters he faced and struck out three on 27 pitches
2020 Regular Season:
Ranked amongst National League leaders (min. 50.0 IP) in ERA (2.57, 8th), opponents’ batting average (.220, T-13th), and WHIP (1.09, T-12th)
In 12 appearances (ten starts) this season, the Texas native earned a 3-1 record with a 2.57 ERA (16 ER/56.0 IP) paired with 44 strikeouts and 16 issued walks…also posted a 1.09 WHIP and produced three quality starts
Pitched out of the ‘pen twice this season (9/16 at San Diego, 9/27 vs. Los Angeles (AL)), earning a win and averaging a 0.96 ERA (1 ER/9.1 IP)…kept opposing hitters to a .161 batting average (5-for31) while recording 11 punchouts.
Has not allowed more than two earned runs in a game this season and in his Dodger career, has not allowed more than three earned runs in his 14 starts…according to STATS LLC, that streak is the longest in Dodger history for a pitcher who has not allowed three or more runs.
Has been effective against batters on both sides of the plate, limiting right-handed batters to a .198 average (21-for-106) and lefties to a .242 mark (24-for-99).
Became the first Dodger rookie to start an Opening Day since Fernando Valenzuela replaced an injured Jerry Reuss in 1981…joined Valenzuela, Hal Gregg and Henry Schmidt as the only Dodger rookies to make an Opening Day start….tossed 4.1 innings in a no-decision start on July 23 against the Giants
Career vs. Atlanta:
Has pitched against the Braves twice during his time in the Major Leagues, appearing out of the ‘pen on August 18, 2019 and throwing 2.0 innings as he allowed four earned runs on three hits…of the nine batters he faced, he walked one without recording a strikeout as he recorded the loss…also faced Atlanta in Game 1 of the NLCS, delivering 1.2 scoreless innings as he struck out two on 21 pitches
Career Postseason:
Owns a 1-0 career postseason record over five games (one start) with a 1.13 ERA (1 ER/8.0 IP) and 0.88 WHIP…has allowed four hits and three walks while striking out seven…has limited the opposition to a .167 average
Appeared in Game 1 of the Division Series out of the ‘pen and later started Game 3, pitching a combined 3.0 scoreless innings, giving up just one walk and striking out four without allowing a hit…earned his first postseason win in Game 1…was named to his second Major League postseason roster this year
In 2019, the Texas native threw in both Game 2 and Game 4 of the Divisional Series against Washington, tossing a combined 3.1 innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits with one strikeout and one walk on 47 pitches…Los Angeles unfortunately lost both of those games

TONIGHT’S GAME: The Braves and Dodgers
continue their best-of-seven National League
Championship Series tonight with their fifth meeting
of the season…The 2020 NLCS marks the fourth
postseason series between the two clubs.
• Atlanta and Los Angeles did not play during the
regular season, and last met in 2019…The Braves
went 2-4 in six games against the Dodgers last
season, getting swept at Dodger Stadium and
winning two-of-three in Atlanta.
• The Braves’ series win against the Dodgers last
season was their first since also taking two-of-three
from Los Angeles in 2015…In 34 games between
the clubs since the start of 2016, including the
postseason, Atlanta is 12-22 (.353) vs. Los Angeles.
• The Braves and Dodgers have met three times
in postseason play, all of which have come in the
Division Series…Atlanta swept Los Angeles in the
1996 NLDS, while Los Angeles has won each of the
last two series, in 2013 and 2018, 3-1.
• LHP A.J. Minter is set to make the first start of his
career, and his sixth career postseason appearance…
The 6-foot-0, 215-pound native of Tyler, TX has
pitched in three games this postseason, going 1-0
with a 3.86 ERA (1 ER/2.1 IP)…In three career
games against the Dodgers, he has allowed three
earned runs in 2.2 innings without a decision.
• RHP Dustin May makes his second start and sixth
career appearance in the postseason..The 6-foot-6,
180-pound native of Justin, TX has yet to allow
a run this postseason, going 1-0 over 4.2 innings
between three appearances..
SERIES LEAD: Atlanta beat Los Angeles, 5-1, in
Game 1 of this series on Monday night, before an 8-7
win on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
• The Braves have previously gone 2-0 in a
postseason series 14 times in franchise history, and
are 12-2 (.857) in these sets…They have never lost
a Championship Series when taking a 2-0 lead.
• The Braves took a 2-0 lead in the 1992 LCS
vs. Pittsburgh and won in seven games, swept
Cincinnati in 1995, and went up 2-0 over the Mets
in 1999 before winning in six.
• Atlanta took a 3-1 series lead with last night’s win,
and have a 3-1 lead in a playoff series for the fifth
time in franchise history…The Braves had such a
lead in the 1958 World Series, 1992 NLCS, 1995
World Series and 1999 NLCS…They would win
three of those four series.
TEN RUNS: Atlanta beat Los Angeles, 10-2 last night,
the 14th 10-run playoff game in franchise history and
the first since Game 3 of the 2002 NLDS…The Braves
have never lost a playoff game when they score 10 runs.
• Atlanta scored at least 10 runs 10 times during the
regular season, the most such games in the majors
and two more than the Padres and Yankees.

GAME 5: The Braves are set to play their 20th Game
5 of a playoff round today, and they are 6-13 (.316) in
these games…Atlanta has been outscored, 25-4, in its last
two Game 5s.
• The Braves have lost six straight Game 5s and 10 of
the last 12 such games…The Braves last won Game
5 in the 1998 NLCS, beating the Padres, 7-6.
• The Braves are 2-6 in Game 5 of the NLCS, and
have lost their last two such games.
BIG INNINGS: Atlanta scored six runs in the bottom
of the sixth inning last night, turning a 1-1 tie into a
7-1 lead.
• The Braves scored six or more runs in an inning six
different times during the regular season, tied with
Philadelphia for the most such innings in the majors,
and have now done so twice in nine games in the
postseason (Game 1 of the NLDS).
• Atlanta’s six six-run innings this season came in just
60 games, matching its total from the 162-game
2018 and 2019 seasons.
• The six-run frame tied for the second most the
franchise had ever scored in a single inning in the
postseason, trailing just a seven-run first inning in
Game 2 of the 1958 World Series vs. the Yankees,
when the franchise was in Milwaukee.
GOOD GAME: OF Marcell Ozuna produced the first
four-hit, four-RBI game in Braves postseason history,
going 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs and four
RBI…His 11 total bases were also a postseason franchise
record.
• Ozuna had the eighth multi-homer game in Braves
postseason history, and the first since Chipper
Jones hit a pair of two-run home runs in Game 4
of the 2003 NLDS against the Cubs, a 6-4 Atlanta
victory…The only other one of these games that
came in the NLCS was by OF David Justice in
Game 6 of the 1992 LCS against Pittsburgh.
• Ozuna is the first major leaguer to collect at least
four hits and four RBI in a playoff game since
Boston’s Brock Holt in Game 3 of the 2018 ALDS
against the Yankees…Holt hit for the cycle, going
4-for-6 with five RBI.
PACHE’S RBI STREAK: 21-year-old OF Cristian
Pache had an RBI single in Atlanta’s six-run sixth inning,
and he finished the night 1-for-5…Pache has started in
center field the past three games, and has driven in a run
in each of those games.
• He is the eighth player in baseball history, his age
or younger, to drive in a run in three consecutive
postseason games…Nationals’ OF Juan Soto has
a record four straight such games, doing so in last
season’s World Series (Games 4-7)…Miguel Cabrera
(2003), Ty Cobb (1908), Rafael Devers (2018),
Avisail Garcia (2012), Freddie Lindstrom (1924) and
Brian McCann (2005) also did so in three straight
at age 21 or younger.

33 A.J. Minter

LHP • 6-0 • 215 • 27 yrs
2020 Record: 1-1, 0.83 ERA • 2019 Record: 3-4, 7.06 ERA
2020 Postseason: 1-0, 3.86 ERA • Career Postseason: 1-0, 2.08
vs. RHB: .180 (9-50, 1 HR) • vs. LHB: .240 (6-25), 0 HR
Game 5 Starting Pitcher
Tonight’s Game
• Is set to make his first career start…Has made 139 career regular-season appearances,
all in relief.
• Makes his fourth appearance of the postseason, and is set to pitch in the sixth
playoff game of his career.
• Has never started a game in professional baseball.
• Per Elias, Minter will become the first pitcher in major league history to make
his first career start in the postseason.
• He last started a game in 2015, making four starts during his junior season at
Texas A&M and going 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA (1 ER/21.0 IP).
• Atlanta selected Minter in the second round of the 2015 draft and he has made
216 professional appearances, all of which have come in relief.
• Atlanta’s five starters this series have combined to make just 75 career starts in the regular season…Max Fried has 50 starts, Kyle Wright has 12, Bryse Wilson has seven, Ian Anderson has six and Minter has never started…The quintet had never started in the postseason prior to this year.
• Clayton Kershaw, who started for the Dodgers last night, has 354 regular season starts and 28 in the playoffs.
• Has pitched three career games against the Dodgers, last in 2019…Has a 10.13 ERA
(3 ER/2.2 IP) in his three appearances.
• Has faced the Dodgers in three postseason games, two of which came during
the 2018 NLDS…Has allowed just one run in 2.2 postseason innings vs. Los
Angeles.
• Is 8-9 with a 3.68 ERA (52 ER/127.1 IP) and 20 saves in 139 career games.
• His career FIP of 2.97 is the sixth lowest among active left-handers with at
least 100.0 innings pitched…Trails Aroldis Chapman, Clayton Kershaw, Sean
Doolittle, Josh Hader and Chris Sale.
2020 Recap
• Pitched in 22 games and went 1-1 with a 0.83 ERA, allowing just two earned runs in 21.2 innings on the season.
• His 0.83 ERA (2 ER/21.2 IP) was the lowest in the National League and
second in the majors among left-handed pitchers (min. 20.0 IP)…Allowed just
his second earned run of the season on September 24.
• Has pitched to a 2.84 FIP this season, third lowest in the National League among lefties with as many innings pitched, behind only Drew Smyly and teammate Tyler Matzek.
• Is the only lefty in the National League (one of two in MLB) with two earned run or less in at least 20.0 IP

2019 Recap
• Made 36 appearances with Atlanta and went 3-4 with a 7.06 ERA (23 ER/29.1
IP) and 35 strikeouts…Logged five saves.
• Opened the season on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation
and missed the first five games before being reinstated on 4/4…Made a
second trip to the IL due to left shoulder inflammation, 9/12, and missed the
remainder of the season.
• Pitched to a 4.57 FIP on the season…In 117 career games, has a 2.97 FIP and a
4.26 ERA.
• Minter’s 2.49 difference in FIP and ERA in 2019 was the fifth-biggest disparity
in the majors (min. 35 games).
• Allowed the first batter he faced to bat .286 (8-for-28) and reach base at a .444
clip…The first batter logged a 1.016 OPS against him.
• Was optioned to Gwinnett on 5/9, and made three total stints with Atlanta…Was
also up from 6/11-8/1 and from 9/3 through the end of the season.
• In 20 games with Triple-A Gwinnett, went 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA (9 ER/22.2 IP)
and five saves…Fanned 30 and walked just three.
• Walked 1.2 batters per 9.0 innings with Gwinnett…Walked 7.1 batters per
9.0 innings with Atlanta.
Career Recap
• Was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the Competitive Balance B round (75th
overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft…Signed by Darin Vaughan.
• Pitched for three seasons at Texas A&M University…Went 5-0 with a 2.00
ERA (13 ER/58.1 IP) over 56 appearances (four starts) during his collegiate
career…Moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation for his junior season
in 2015, going 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA (1 ER/21.0 IP) across four starts to open
the year before undergoing season-ending surgery

TAMPA BAY RAYS (3-2) vs. HOUSTON ASTROS (2-3)
LH Blake Snell (2-1, 2.87) vs. LH Framber Valdez (2-1, 2.00)
Friday, October 16, 2020  First Pitch: 6:07 p.m. Location: Petco Park TV: TBS  Radio: ESPN Radio.

TONIGHT’S GAME 6: The Astros will try to stave
off elimination again tonight in Game 6 of the ALCS
at Petco Park against the Rays…Houston is trying to
become just the second team in MLB history to rally
back from a 3-0 deficit in a seven-game series.
UP OFF THE MAT: The Astros became the 39th
team in MLB history to go down 3-0 in a seven-game
series…they followed that deficit with two wins, becoming just the fourth team, out of the 39, to even force a
Game 6…the other three occasions:
SERIES TEAM OPP. OUTCOME
2004 ALCS BOS NYY W, 4-3
1999 NLCS NYM ATL L, 4-2
1998 NLCS ATL SD L, 4-2
GAME 1 REMATCH: The Astros and Rays will
roll out their Game 1 starters tonight for a rematch of
lefties between LHP Framber Valdez and LHP Blake
Snell…the two pitched great in Game 1, with Snell
(1ER/5IP) earning the win over Valdez (2ER/6IP) in
the 2-1 Rays victory…the Astros scored their only run
on a solo homer by 2B Jose Altuve, while the Rays
countered with a DH Randy Arozarena homer and
an RBI single by C Mike Zunino…both starters will
be working on full rest, although Valdez did warm up
in the bullpen in the 9th inning last night.
STARTING STRONG: The pitching in this series
has been incredible, headlined by the five Astros starters, which have combined for a 2.08 ERA (6ER/26IP)…
they’ve posted 31 strikeouts in 26.0 innings pitched.
GAME 5 WALKOFF WIN: The Astros and Rays
played a thrilling Game 5 last night, with the Astros
taking a 4-3 win on a walkoff homer by SS Carlos
Correa…the Astros used seven pitchers on the night,
including five rookie pitchers, which pitched the first
6.2 innings of the ballgame for Houston…CF George
Springer hit a leadoff homer and DH Michael Brantley
added a two-run single in the contest.
TAG TEAM: Last night, the Astros became the first
team in MLB history have a leadoff homer (CF George
Springer) and a walkoff homer (SS Carlos Correa) in
the same postseason game. ..Springer and Correa,
homered in the same postseason game for the eighth time, the most by any two
teammates in MLB history.

LHP Framber Valdez:

LAST START – ALCS GAME 1 at TB: suffered his first-career loss in the
postseason despite tossing a quality start…gave up 2 runs on 4 hits over
6.0 innings pitched…walked 4 batters, his most allowed in 2020…struck
out 8, a new single-game career-high in the postseason.
• at 26 years, 327 days old, became the 3rd-youngest pitcher in franchise
history to start Game 1 of a postseason series…the only 2 to do so at
a younger age were Wade Davis (25 years, 26 days old) in Game 1 of
the 2001 NLDS vs. ATL and Brandon Backe (26 years, 191 days old)
in Game 1 of the 2004 NLCS at STL.
• was his first-ever Game 1 start of a postseason series.
TODAY’S START: 26-year-old left-hander is set to make his 3rd-career
postseason start, and 4th-career postseason appearance, all of which
have come during the 2020 postseason.
• name is pronounced “FRAHM-burr”.
• the Palenque, Dominican Republic native has become the 2nd Dominican-born pitcher in Astros history to start a postseason game, joining
Jose Lima (Game 2 of the 1999 NLDS at ATL).
FRAMBER IN OCTOBER: has carried his 2020 breakout into the postseason, as he has posted a 2-1 record and a 2.00 ERA (4ER/18IP) over 3
appearances.
• has gone 5.0+ innings while allowing 2 runs-or-fewer in each of his 3
postseason outings…he is the 2nd pitcher in Astros history to do this in
each of his first 3 career postseason games, joining Shane Reynolds (1997-99).
• became the 3rd pitcher in franchise history to earn the win in each of his
first 2 career postseason appearances, joining Mike Scott and Dallas Keuchel.
• became the 2nd Dominican-born pitcher in MLB history to win each of his
first 2 career postseason appearances, joining former All-Star RHP Juan
Guzman, who did so for the Blue Jays during the 1991-92 postseasons.
POSTSEASON DEBUT: made his first-career postseason appearance with
a dominant relief appearance in Game 1 of the 2020 Wild Card Series
at MIN…finished the game with 5.0 scoreless innings of relief, giving up
just 2 hits and 2 walks with 5 strikeouts en route to a winning decision.
• became the 13th pitcher in MLB history to finish a postseason game
with 5.0+ scoreless relief innings, and the first to do it since Madison
Bumgarner ended Game 7 of the 2014 World Series at KC with 5.0
scoreless relief innings…became the first AL pitcher to do this since
Pedro Martinez in Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS at CLE.
• became the 4th pitcher in MLB history finish a game with 5.0+ scoreless
frames in his postseason debut, joining Joe Price (1987 NLCS Game
5), George Frazier (1981 ALCS Game 2) and Moe Drabowsky (1966
World Series Game 1).
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: was named the Astros 2020 Pitcher of the Year
by the Houston Chapter of the BBWAA.
• among AL pitchers, ranked 2nd in home runs per 9.0 innings (0.64), 5th
in walks per 9.0 innings (2.04, 16BB), 6th in innings pitched (70.2), 8th
in strikeouts (76), and 8th in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (9.68).
• ranked 3rd among AL pitchers in FIP (2.83) per Stats Inc., behind only
Shane Bieber (2.05) and Zack Greinke (2.78).

ON THE CUSP—Tonight the Rays have a third opportunity to advance to
the World Series, after their 4-3 loss in Game 4 and 4-3 loss in Game 5…in
postseason history, teams leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven have gone on to
win the series 37 of 38 times (97.4 pct.)…the only team to come back from
a 3-0 deficit was the 2004 Red Sox, against the Yankees in the ALCS…only
three teams trailed 3-0 and even forced a Game 6: 2004 Red Sox, the 1999
Mets in the NLCS (lost Game 6) and 1998 Braves in the NLCS (lost Game 6).
– The Rays are a win away from their second AL pennant (2008),
but the only current Rays player or uniformed personnel who witnessed them winning it in 2008 from field level (Game 7, at Tropicana Field) was Kevin Cash, who was a Red Sox catcher at the time.
– Tonight is the fifth time in Rays postseason history they will bat
last in a potential series clincher…the previous times were Game 5
of the 2020 ALDS vs. NYY (won 2-1), Game 2 of the 2020 Wild Card
Series vs. TOR (won 8-2), Game 5 of the 2010 ALDS vs. TEX (lost 5-1)
and Games 6-7 of the 2008 ALCS vs. BOS (lost 4-2, then won 3-1).
– Today’s postseason schedule includes the possibility of a Rays
clinch and Braves clinch…since the League Championship Series
began in 1969, there have been 10 times where both pennants
were won on the same day, but the last time was on Oct 14, 1992.
– The Rays are 24-24 all-time in the postseason and 8-4 in 2020.
– Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have only lost
once in their last 18 series since Aug 4, going 13-1-4 in series play.
SWING OF EMOTIONS—The Rays lost Game 5 on a walk-off homer by
Carlos Correa, the third time the Rays lost a postseason game in walk-off
fashion…it followed Game 3 of the 2008 World Series at PHI (Carlos Ruiz
infield single) and Game 5 of the 2008 ALCS at BOS (J.D. Drew single)…it
was the first time a team won in walk-off fashion to prevent its opponent
from clinching a league pennant since the Red Sox did it to the Rays in
2008…it was the first time a team won on a walk-off homer to prevent
its opponent from clinching a league pennant since STL Jim Edmonds in
Game 6 of the 2004 NLCS vs. HOU, on a 2-run homer in the 12th inning.
– In Game 5, the Rays allowed homers on their first (George Springer
off John Curtiss) and last pitches thrown (Carlos Correa off Nick
Anderson)…it was the first time in postseason history that a team
allowed a leadoff homer and a walk-off homer in the same game.
– The Rays and Astros combined for eight rookie pitchers in Game 5,
a major league record for a postseason game…it was the third LCS
game all-time to feature a matchup of two rookie starting pitchers,
joining Game 2 of the 2020 NLCS and Game 4 of the 2007 NLCS.
SLOW STARTS—All 5 games this series have included a 1st-inning homer:
four by the Astros and one by the Rays (Manuel Margot)…the Rays have
allowed four 1st-inning homers, one shy of their total from the 2008-19
postseasons combined (5)…the four 1st-inning homers are tied for 2ndmost allowed in a postseason series—the only team to allow five 1st-inning homers in a single series was the Red Sox in the 2008 ALCS vs. TB.
– The Rays have three comeback wins this postseason after an ALmost 20 come-from-behind wins during the regular season.
CLOSE SHAVES—Four of the 5 games this series have been decided by 2
runs (or fewer), including three 1-run games…between the regular season
and postseason, 40 of the club’s 72 games (55.6 pct.) have been decided by
2 runs (or fewer)…the Rays are 28-12 (.700) in them, going 5-2 in the postseason in addition to a majors-best 23-10 (.697) in the regular season…the
Rays are 16-7 (.696) in 1-run games, which includes 2-2 this postseason.
– Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have a major-league-record 13 different pitchers with a save and are 35-1, 32-0
and 39-0 when leading after 6, 7 and 8 innings, respectively.
– Since July 28, 2019, the Rays have won 62 straight games when
leading after 7 innings, the longest active streak in the majors.
ABOUT THE OFFENCE—In Game 5, the Rays scored 3 runs, all coming
on solo homers…they were the first team to hit 3 HR (or more) and have
solo homers account for all of their offense in a postseason game since
the Cubs in Game 4 of the 2017 NLCS vs. LAD (3-2 win)…last night was
the second time in club history the Rays lost a postseason game when hitting 3 HR (or more), following Game 5 of the 2008 ALCS at BOS (J.D. Drew
walk-off single)…including regular season, it was their first loss when hitting 3 HR (or more) since June 26, 2019 at MIN, going 24-0 in between.
– The Rays have scored 3 runs (or fewer) in five of their last 7 games,
totaling 20 runs (2.86 R/G) in those 7 games beginning with Game
4 of the Division Series…the Rays are batting .190 (12-for-63) with
RISP this postseason, including .154 (6-for-39) in the past 7 games

– The Rays have started six different hitters out of the leadoff spot in
the batting order, setting a postseason record…the previous record
was five, by the 2018 Dodgers, 1960 Yankees and 1955 Yankees.
– The Rays are 5-0 in the postseason when scoring first, after going a
major-league-best 25-6 (.806) when doing so in the regular season.
– The Rays have 3 wins this postseason when striking out 13 times
(or more), the most for a team in a single postseason in major league
history…prior to this season, the Rays had never won a postseason
game on 13 SO (or more)…all three of these wins came in succession: Game 5 vs. NYY, Game 1 vs. HOU and Game 2 vs. HOU.
POWER BALL—71.4 pct. (35 of 49) of the Rays runs this postseason have
come on home runs, compared to 41.5 pct. (120 of 289) during the regular
season…22.4 pct. (11 of 49) of their runs this postseason have come on solo
homers…the Rays have hit 21 HR this postseason, tied for most in the majors…these 21 HR have come from 10 different players, most in the majors,
after the Rays had a majors-most 18 players homer in the regular season…
since the start of the Division Series, AL teams have hit 60 HR in 930 AB
(15.5 AB/HR), while NL teams have hit 26 HR in 683 AB (26.3 AB/HR).
– Petco Park has seen 45 HR in 13 games this postseason…teams are
27-3 this postseason when they outhomer their opponent…combining regular season and postseason, the Rays are 25-3 when they
outhomer their opponent and 25-6 when hitting 2 HR (or more).
– The Rays averaged 4.82 R/G and 1.33 HR/G in the regular season…
they are averaging 1.75 HR/G in the postseason but only 4.08 R/G.
– During the regular season, the Rays were held without a homer 19
times but went 14-5 (.737) in those games, the highest winning pct.
since the 1906 Cubs went 99-34 (.744) in homerless games…their 14
wins without the benefit of a homer were the most in the majors.
– From the other side, Rays pitching has allowed 20 HR this postseason, most in the majors…fifteen of these have been solo shots…70.0
pct. (28 of 40) of their runs allowed have come on home runs.
PITCHING PROPERLY—The Rays have a 3.25 ERA (105.1-IP, 38-ER) in the
postseason, with a 3.57 ERA (53-IP, 21-ER) from starters and a 2.92 ERA
(52.1-IP, 17-ER) from relievers…the Rays have allowed 2 runs (or fewer) in
six of 12 postseason games (50.0 pct.), up from 35.0 in the regular season.
– The Rays have held the Astros to 13 runs and 8 HR (seven solo) this
series, after the Astros scored 33 runs and hit 12 HR in the Division
Series (4 games vs. Oakland)…similarly, the Rays held the Yankees
to 24 runs and 10 HR in the 5-game Division Series, after the Yankees scored 22 runs and hit 7 HR in their Wild Card sweep at CLE.
– Opponents are batting .178 (13-for-73) against Rays pitching with
RISP this postseason…the Rays have held the Astros to .194 (6-for31) with RISP—and only two of these 6 hits have resulted in a run.
– The Rays bullpen has stranded all 21 IR this postseason…according
to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the longest streak of inherited
runners stranded to start a postseason, passing the 2006 Cardinals
(17)…in the last 9 games (beginning with Game 2 of the ALDS vs.
NYY), the Rays bullpen has pitched to a 2.36 ERA (42-IP, 11-ER).
THE GREAT RANDINO—Randy Arozarena has homered in back-to-back
games for the second time this postseason, following his run of three straight
in Games 1-3 of the Division Series…his 6 HR this postseason match the rookie
record set by Evan Longoria (6) in 2008…he leads all players this postseason in runs (13), hits (20), extra-base hits (10) and total bases (43)…his 20 hits and
10 XBH are both the most in a single postseason in Rays history…his 43 total
bases (in 41 AB) are a rookie record for a single postseason, passing HOU Yuli
Gurriel (36) in 2017 (69 AB) and ATL Chipper Jones (34) in 1995 (55 AB).
– According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is 2 hits shy of tying NYY
Derek Jeter in 1996 for the most by a rookie in a single postseason.
– In Game 3, he became the first rookie in ML history with four 3-hit
games in a single postseason…this ties a postseason record for 3-hit
games, joining HOU Jose Altuve in 2017, STL Albert Pujols in
2004, SEA Edgar Martinez in 1995 and SEA Jay Buhner in 1995.
– According to TBS, no rookie position player has ever been named
MVP of a League Championship Series or the World Series.

LHP Blake Snell:

LAST START—In Game 1 vs. HOU, needed 29 pitches to complete the 1st, including a solo homer to his second batter faced, Jose Altuve…following a Michael Brantley single, retired his next 6 BF before working around a pair of singles in the 3rd…yielded 2 hits and 2 BB in the 4th, but escaped without allowing a run following a lineout double play and a bases-loaded flyout…recorded a strikeout and two groundouts in a 1-2-3 5th to end his start…his line: W, 5 IP, 6 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR, 105 pit., 61 str.
– Altuve’s solo homer marked his first 1st-inning homer allowed (regular
season or postseason) since June 19, 2019 at NYY, off the bat of Gary Sánchez.
– Has allowed a 1st-inning run in each of his last two postseason starts (Game 1
of the Division Series) after not allowing one during the regular season.
POSTSEASON—Is 2-2 with a 2.57 ERA (21-IP, 6-ER) in six career postseason apps, including a 2.87 ERA (15.2-IP, 5-ER) in 3 starts this postseason…in Game 1 of the ALDS vs. NYY, took the loss after allowing 4 runs, including a club postseason-record-tying 3 HR, in 5 IP…in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series vs. TOR, did not allow a hit until a leadoff single in the 6th inning…was the first left-handed pitcher in major-league history to record 9 SO (or more) and yield 1 hit (or fewer) in a postseason game.
– His first three postseason apps came in last season’s Division Series against
the Astros…started Game 2 and took the loss, and pitched in relief in Games
4 and 5…in Game 4, became the second Ray to record his first career save in
the postseason, following David Price in Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS vs. BOS.
– Has allowed 1 hit in 8 AB with RISP this postseason, yielding only an infield
single that didn’t produce a run to Aledmys Díaz in Game 1 of this series.
– Is attempting to become the first starting pitcher to win Game 1 and the clinching game of a series since NYM Jacob deGrom in the 2015 NLDS vs. LAD.
vs. ASTROS—Is 2-2 with a 4.73 ERA (32.1-IP, 17-ER) in six career regular-season starts against the Astros and 1-1 with a 1.74 ERA (10.1-IP, 2-ER) in four postseason apps (2 starts) against them…prior to Game 1 of this series, last faced them in relief in Game 5 of the 2019 ALDS, pitching 1.1 perfect innings with three flyouts and a strikeout…started against them in Game 2 of that series, taking the loss after allowing 1 run in 3.1 IP…following a perfect 1st, worked out of a 2-on, 1-out jam in the 2nd with a strikeout and flyout…stranded a 2-out double in the 3rd, then allowed an Alex Bregman solo homer to lead off the 4th…struck out Yordan Alvarez before being replaced.
2020 IN REVIEW—Made 11 starts, tied with Glasnow for the team lead…yielded 3 runs (or fewer) in 10 of 11 starts and 2 runs (or fewer) in seven of 11.
– His avg. fastball velocity, according to FanGraphs, was 95.1 mph, 6th in the AL…min. 50 IP, his 11.34 SO/9 IP ratio ranked 5th in the AL…struck out
31.0 pct. (63 of 203) of batters faced, best among lefties in the majors…walked 8.9 pct. (18 of 203) of batters faced, the lowest rate of his career.
– Allowed 10 HR for a 1.80 HR/9 IP ratio, 5th-highest in the AL (min. 50 IP), after yielding 14 HR in 107 IP in 2019…29.4 pct. of his fly balls were homers, according to FanGraphs, the highest rate in the majors…allowed multiple homers in four of his 11 starts…yielded 3 HR against lefties.
– Ranks among the top five in club history with 648 SO (5th), 3.24 ERA (2nd to David Price, 3.18), .223 opp avg. (1st) and .583 winning pct. (3rd).
SEEKING LENGTH—Averaged just over 4.1 IP per start, using his first 3 starts as a continuation of the summer camp build up…went 2 IP, 3 IP and 3 IP
in his first 3 starts, then recorded between 15-17 outs in each of his final 8 starts of the regular season…only faced 23 batters the third time through the
lineup…has gone fewer than 6 IP in 14 consecutive regular-season starts beginning on Sep 17, 2019 at LAD, when he returned from arthroscopic surgery
to remove loose bodies from his left elbow…was one of six pitchers in the majors to make at least 10 starts and go fewer than 6 IP in all of them.
ON THE OFFSPEED—Held opponents to a .132 avg. (5-for-38) in at-bats ending with his curveball, 5th in the AL (min. 25 AB), according to StatCast…61.8
pct. (34 of 55) of swings against his curveball were misses, the best rate of his career on any pitch…opponents hit .033 (1-for-30) with 17 SO in at-bats ending
with his slider…his combined .088 opp avg. (6-for-68) in at-bats ending with breaking balls was 3rd in the majors (min.