The manager, A.J. Hinch, brought the hook. The starter-turned-reliever, Charlie Morton, brought the sinker. The line was something that almost never happened at the expense of the 2017 Dodgers: Four innings, two hits, one runs, seven strikeouts. Game 7 of that World Series ended with a first-pitch grounder by Corey Seager, and Morton celebrated with…
ARLINGTON, Texas — Mookie Betts finished second to Mike Trout in the voting for the American League MVP Award in 2016. There was no shame in that. After all, Mike Trout wins the award every year, or seems to, and has been acclaimed as the greatest player of his generation, one of the best in…
The 116th World Series Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, October 21, 2020 World Series Game Two – Postgame Notes Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
TAMPA BAY RAYS 6, LOS ANGELES DODGERS 4 (SERIES TIED, 1-1) First Pitch: 7:08 p.m. CT Game-time Temperature: 81 degrees Tonight’s Attendance: 11,472 Time of Game: 3:40 PITCHING LINES TAMPA BAY IP H R ER BB-I SO HR WP BF Pitches/Strikes Blake Snell 4.2 2 2 2 4-0 9 1 0 20 88/49 Nick Anderson 1.1 1 1 1 0-0 2 1 0 5 19/12 Pete Fairbanks 1.2 2 1 1 0-0 1 1 0 7 23/16 Aaron Loup 1.0 0 0 0 0-0 2 0 0 3 11/9 Diego Castillo (SV) 0.1 0 0 0 0-0 1 0 0 1 3/3 LA DODGERS IP H R ER BB-I SO HR WP BF Pitches/Strikes Tony Gonsolin (L) 1.1 1 1 1 1-0 1 1 0 6 29/16 Dylan Floro 1.1 0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0 3 19/10 Victor González 1.0 0 1 1 1-0 0 0 0 4 10/6 Dustin May 1.1 4 3 3 0-0 1 1 0 8 25/19 Joe Kelly 1.0 2 1 1 0-0 2 0 0 5 16/13 Alex Wood 2.0 2 0 0 1-1 2 0 0 9 26/24 Jake McGee 1.0 1 0 0 1-0 1 0 0 5 16/9
KNOTTED AT 1-1 • This is the 60th time that a World Series has been tied 1-1 after two games. Of the previous 59 times, the winner of Game Two has gone on to capture the Series in 31 occasions (52.5%). However, that has been the case on just four of 12 occasions since 1993 – those being Anaheim in 2002, New York in 2009, Chicago in 2016 and Houston in 2017. The 1993 Phillies, 1997 Indians, 2003 Yankees, 2006 Tigers, 2008 Rays, 2011 Rangers, 2013 Cardinals and 2014 Royals all won Game Two to square the Fall Classic, but went on to lose the Series. PIVOTAL GAME THREE • Of the previous 59 times that a World Series has been tied, 1-1, the team winning Game Three has gone on to win the Commissioner’s Trophy on 38 occasions (64.4%). That has been the case in five of the last eight (except St. Louis in 2013, Kansas City in 2014 and Cleveland in 2016), and 12 of the last 16 instances, with the other exception being 2003, when the Yankees won Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead, but lost the next three contests. Prior to that, it had not occurred since 1979, when Baltimore took a 2-1 lead against Pittsburgh before losing the series in seven. DODGERS AT 1-1 • This marks the 13th time since 1900 that the Dodgers have been tied 1-1 in a best-of-seven Postseason series, previously doing so in the 2018 NLCS (Milwaukee); the 2017 World Series (Houston); the 2016 NLCS (CHI Cubs); the 2009 NLCS (Philadelphia); the 1988 NLCS (NY Mets); the 1977 World Series (NY Yankees); the 1974 World Series (Oakland); the 1959 World Series (CHI White Sox); the 1952 World Series (NY Yankees); the 1949 World Series (NY Yankees); the 1941 World Series (NY Yankees); and the 1920 World Series (Cleveland).
• Of the previous 12 occurrences, the Dodgers only went on to win the 2018 NLCS, the 1988 NLCS and the 1959 World Series. RAYS AT 1-1 • This marks the third time in franchise history that the Rays have been tied 1-1 in a best-of-seven Postseason series. Both previous occurrences came during Tampa Bay’s 2008 playoff run, with them defeating Boston in the ALCS before falling to Philadelphia in the Fall Classic. GAME TWO RESULTS • The Rays improved to 7-4 in Game Two of a Postseason series, and are now 2-0 in Game Two of the Fall Classic. Tampa Bay is now a perfect 4-0 this Postseason in Game Two.
• The Dodgers dropped to 28-23 in Game Two of a Postseason series, and are now 10-11 in Game Two of the Fall Classic. Los Angeles is now 2-2 this Postseason in Game Two. KEYSTONE POWER • Second baseman Brandon Lowe connected for a pair of home runs tonight. He became the first player in franchise history to club multiple homers in a Fall Classic game. It marks the seventh such game by a Ray in Postseason history, most recently accomplished by his teammate Manuel Margot in Game Six of the ALCS against the Astros. • In addition, it marked the 55th multi-homer game in World Series history, and the first since Steve Pearce in Game Five of the 2018 Fall Classic. • Lowe became the sixth second baseman (seventh time) in World Series history to record a multi-homer game, joining Chase Utley (2009 G1 and G5), Jeff Kent (2002 G5), Davey Lopes (1978 G1), Charlie Neal (1959 G2) and Tony Lazzeri (1932 G4). SNELLZILLA • Blake Snell tossed 4.2 innings of two-run ball tonight with nine strikeouts, four walks and two hits allowed. Snell had a no-hitter through 4.2 innings before giving up a two-run homer to Chris Taylor.
• With nine punchouts, Snell surpassed Glasnow (8) for the franchise record in a World Series game. He matched his personal Postseason record, which he set in Game One of this year’s Wild Card round against the Blue Jays. Glasnow’s 10-strikeout performance in Game Two of this year’s ALDS against the Yankees paces the franchise’s Postseason mark.
• Snell became the first pitcher in World Series history to throw fewer than 5.0 innings with nine strikeouts. It marked the 10th such outing in Postseason history overall, and the first since Washington’s Patrick Corbin last year in Game Four of the NLCS against the Cardinals.
• Snell became the third pitcher in World Series history to tally at least two strikeouts in four consecutive innings, joining Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson. Game Two Postgame Notes – Wednesday, October 21, 2020 FIVE-INNING ROAD BLOCK • Following Blake Snell’s 4.2 inning-start, the Rays became the sixth team in World Series history to have four consecutive starters not reach 5.0 innings (Tyler Glasnow, 2020 G2; Scott Kazmir, 2008 G5; and Andy Sonnanstine, 2008 G4). • According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rays became the first AL Club to do so, as it was previously accomplished by the Dodgers (5G, 2017-18); the Cardinals (5, 1987- 2004); the Giants (4, 1989); the Padres (4, 1984) and the Dodgers (7, 1947). DOING IT ALL • Manuel Margot became the first player in franchise history to log at least two hits, a walk, one run scored and stolen base in a Fall Classic contest. It marked the third such game in Rays Postseason history, previously accomplished by Joey Wendle (2020 ALDS G2) and Evan Longoria (2008 ALDS G1). TWO-OUT PROWESS • The Dodgers scored two runs tonight with two outs, and have now amassed 43 two-out RBI this Postseason. The next closest this Postseason is Houston and Tampa Bay at 22. • Since 1999, the Dodgers’ 43 two-out RBI rank fourth in a single Postseason, behind only Boston (46) in 2004, Boston (45) in 2018 and San Francisco (45) in 2002. SEAGER STAYS HOT • Corey Seager launched his seventh home run of the 2020 Postseason tonight, extending his franchise record for a single Postseason. • Seager became the 10th player in MLB Postseason history to club seven-or-more homers in a single playoff run, and joined Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena (7). Nelson Cruz (2011), Carlos Beltrán (2004) and Barry Bonds (8) are the only players in history with eight homers in a single Postseason. • Seager became the first shortstop in history to hit seven homers in a single Postseason. • 2020 is the first Postseason in history to feature a pair of hitters club at least seven round-trippers (Arozarena/ Seager) 9-HITTER POWER • Chris Taylor broke up Blake Snell’s no-hit bid in the fifth inning tonight with his second career World Series home run (also 2017 G1), and the fifth of his Postseason career. • Taylor’s round-tripper was the 15th by a player ninth in the batting order this Postseason, the most in a single Postseason. He became the first Dodgers player to do so since Kirk Gibson’s walk-off homer in Game One of the 1988 Fall Classic. SLUGGING BACKSTOP • Will Smith clubbed a solo home run in the sixth inning tonight, his first career World Series home run. He became the fourth catcher (10th time) in Dodgers history to homer in a Fall Classic, joining Steve Yeager, John Roseboro and Hall of Famer Roy Campanella. • Smith became the first catcher younger than 26 years old to homer in a World Series game since Salvador Perez in 2014 (G1). SHORT START • Tony Gonsolin tossed 1.1 innings in his start tonight, facing six batters and surrendering one run via Brandon Lowe’s solo round-tripper. • Gonsolin became the eighth starter in World Series history to pitch as few innings while not giving up more than one run, joining David Wells (2003 G5), Josh Tudor (1988 G3), Harry Taylor (1947 G4), Howie Pollet (1946 G5), Lefty Gomez (1939 G3), Guy Bush (1932 G4) and Curly Ogden (1924 G7). Since both Wells and Tudor left their starts with injuries, it was the shortest stint by a starting pitcher in a World Series game allowing no more than one run since at least 1947. WALK THIS WAY • With his free pass in the second inning, Max Muncy’s 17 walks this Postseason rank fourth-most all-time in a single Postseason, trailing only Barry Bonds (27 BB, 2002), Gary Sheffield (20, 1997) and Hall of Famer Chipper Jones (18, 1999). THE WORLD’S GAME • With his start at first base tonight, Ji-Man Choi became the first Korean-born position player to appear in a World Series game. • According to each Club’s WS rosters, the teams combine for 15 foreign-born players. The 15 players hail from the Dominican Republic (four – Willy Adames, Pedro Báez, Diego Castillo, Manuel Margot); Puerto Rico (three – Kiké Hernández, Michael Perez, Edwin Ríos); Cuba (two Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz); Mexico (two – Victor González, Julio Urías); Curaçao (one – Kenley Jansen); Japan (one – Yoshitomo Tsutsugo); South Korea (one – Ji-Man Choi); and Venezuela (one – Brusdar Graterol)
Tony Gonsolin’s World Series start lasted just 1 1/3 inning, a start so short we have to go back quite a ways to find one even close to that. The Dodgers pitcher was removed after one earned run on one hit and a walk in Game 2 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay […]
TAMPA BAY RAYS (0-1) at LOS ANGELES DODGERS (1-0) LH Blake Snell (2-2, 3.20) vs. RH Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 9.95) October 21, 2020 First Pitch: 8:08 p.m. Location: Globe Life Field TV: FOX Radio: ESPN Radio, WDAE 95.3 FM/620 AM, WGES 680 AM (Sp.) BY THE NUMBERS—The Rays trail this best-of-seven, 1-0, after their 8-3 loss last night…in club history, the Rays have won two postseason series after losing Game 1: the 2020 Division Series vs. NYY and 2008 League Championship Series vs. BOS…the loser of Game 1 of the World Series has come back to win it all 43 of 115 times (37.4 pct.), most recently 2017 (Houston over Dodgers) and 2016 (Cubs over Cleveland)…of the 59 times a World Series has been tied, 1-1, the winner of Game 2 has gone on to win it all on 31 occasions (52.5 pct.)…however, only 11 of 56 times (19.6 pct.) has a team come back to win the World Series after falling behind 2-0, and no team has come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a World Series since 1996. FALL CLASSIC—The Rays are playing in the World Series for the second time in franchise history, losing 4-1 to the Phillies in 2008…the Rays are 25-26 all-time in the postseason and 1-5 in the World Series, with their only win coming in Game 2 in 2008 vs. PHI (at Tropicana Field)…RH James Shields has the only win in Rays World Series history, and their starting lineup that night was Iwamura (2B), Upton (CF), Peña (1B), Longoria (3B), Crawford (LF), Floyd (DH), Navarro (C), Baldelli (RF), Bartlett (SS). – Kevin Cash, 42, is the youngest manager to reach the World Series since Ozzie Guillén (41) led the White Sox to the title in 2005. – The Rays were the ninth team in major league history to play a “winner take all” game in the Division Series and League Championship Series but only the third team to win both, joining the 2012 Giants (won World Series) and 1981 Dodgers (won World Series). – Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have only lost once in their last 19 series since Aug 4, going 14-1-4 in series play. TO BE THE BEST—Despite an expanded 16-team postseason field, the World Series features the AL’s No. 1 seed against the NL’s No. 1 seed…this is the fourth time in the Wild Card era (1994) both No. 1 seeds have made the World Series, following 2013 (Red Sox over Cardinals), 1999 (Yankees over Braves) and 1995 (Braves over Indians)…this is the third time the two No. 1 seeds held the best two records in the majors (2013, 1995)…in 1999, the Yankees were the AL’s No. 1 seed but had the 3rd-best record overall. – The Rays and Dodgers combined for a .692 winning pct. in the regular season…according to Stats LLC, this is the highest combined regular-season winning pct. for a World Series matchup all-time, surpassing the 1906 WS between the Cubs and White Sox (.690). – Both the Rays and Dodgers won Game 7s of their League Championship Series…it was the third time since the LCS expanded to a best-of-seven format (1985) that both went 7 games (2004, 2003). THE FRESHMAN CLASS-IC—Only one of the 28 players on the World Series roster entered Game 1 with prior World Series experience: Charlie Morton…in comparison, the Dodgers have 17 players on their World Series roster who had previously played in the Fall Classic…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is the largest difference among players with World Series experience since 2000, when the Yankees had 21 and the Mets had four…entering Game 1, the Dodgers roster had combined for 123 World Series games played and the Rays roster had combined for two. RAYS vs. DODGERS—The two clubs did not meet in 2020…the Rays went 2-2 against the Dodgers in 2019 (1-1 at home, 1-1 on the road) and are 7-10 all-time against them…albeit in a shortened season, the Rays and Dodgers both won two-thirds of their games—a benchmark reached by only six other teams in the last 50 seasons: 2018 Red Sox (.667), 2001 Mariners (.716), 1998 Yankees (.704), 1995 Indians (.694), 1986 Mets (.667) and 1975 Reds (.667)…five of the past six reached the World Series and four won it. – RH Dylan Floro (2016), LH Adam Kolarek (2017-19) and LH Jake McGee (2010-15) all formerly pitched for the Rays…LH David Price, who opted out of the 2020 season, was selected first overall in the 2007 June Draft…he is the club’s all-time leader with a 3.18 ERA (min. 300 IP) and his 2012 AL Cy Young Award was the first in franchise history…he was on the mound when the Rays won Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS and the “Game 163” tiebreaker in 2013. – The Dodgers hired President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, who was with the Rays for nine seasons (including two division titles and a World Series appearance), on Oct 14, 2014. ABOUT THE OFFENSE—The Rays are batting .208 (99-for-477) this postseason, including .199 (50-for-251) since the start of the League Championship Series…the Rays entered the World Series with a .209 avg., the 3rd-lowest in the Wild Card era (1994) among teams to make it that far… the Rays have scored more than 4 runs once in their last 10 games, a 5-2 win in Game 3 of the ALCS at HOU…they have scored 4 runs (or fewer) in five straight games, and 3 runs (or fewer) in six of their last 10 games. – According to ESPN Stats & Info, starting with Game 4 of the Division Series the Rays have hit .230 (or below) in 10 consecutive games, extending the longest such streak in postseason history. – The Rays are batting .189 (14-for-74) with RISP this postseason, including .160 (8-for-50) in the last 10 games…in Game 1, Mike Brosseau’s RBI single snapped the club’s 0-for-16 drought with RISP. – The Rays are 6-1 this postseason when scoring first, after going a major-league-best 25-6 (.806) when doing so in the reg. season. POWER BALL—70.0 pct. (42 of 60) of the Rays runs this postseason have come on home runs, compared to 41.5 pct. (120 of 289) during the regular season…this was 71.9 pct. entering the World Series, the highest rate alltime ahead of the 1971 Pirates (58.3 pct.)…the Rays have hit 26 HR in 15 postseason games, including multiple homers in nine of their 15 games… the Rays have increased their HR/G from 1.33 during the regular season to 1.73 in the postseason, but their R/G has dropped from 4.82 to 4.00. – Teams are 32-4 this postseason when they outhomer their opponent—but the Rays have won once when outhomered and lost twice when outhomering their opponent…the Rays are 6-2 when they outhomer their opponent and 6-3 when hitting 2 HR (or more), after going 20-2 and 20-4, respectively, in the regular season. NOT THE RAYS WAY—The Rays allowed 8 runs in Game 1, their 2ndmost this postseason behind Game 1 of the ALDS vs. NYY (9)—a series the Rays came back to win…the Rays have allowed 8 runs (or more) twice this postseason, something they didn’t do at all in the final 39 games of the regular season…they have allowed 23 HR, including at least 1 HR in 13 of their last 14 games…73.9 pct. (17 of 23) of their homers allowed have been solo, and 56.1 pct. (32 of 57) of their runs allowed have come on homers. – The Rays have pitched to a 3.70 ERA (131.1-IP, 54-ER) in the postseason…they have yielded 2 runs (or fewer) in seven of their 9 wins. – Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have a majorleague-record 13 different pitchers with a save and are 36-1, 33-0 and 40-0 when leading after 6, 7 and 8 innings, respectively. – Since July 28, 2019, the Rays have won 63 straight games when leading after 7 innings, the longest active streak in the majors. THE GREAT RANDINO—Randy Arozarena hit .321 (9-for-28) with 4 HR and 6 RBI in the League Championship Series and became the first rookie position player to be named Most Valuable Player of a LCS or the World Series…in Game 7, his 2-run homer in the 1st inning was his seventh of the postseason, passing Evan Longoria (6) in 2008 for the most by a rookie in a single postseason…his 7 HR are tied with B.J. Upton in 2008 for most in a single postseason in Rays history, and rank 2nd in team history all-time behind Evan Longoria (9)…in Game 7, he became the first Rays rookie to homer in a “winner take all” game and became the first major league rookie with a go-ahead homer in a Game 7 since FLA Miguel Cabrera in the 2003 NLCS at CHC. – He leads all players this postseason in runs (14, tied), hits (21), extrabase hits (11) and total bases (47)…his 21 hits, 11 XBH and 47 total bases are all the most in a single postseason in club history…he is 2 runs shy of tying the club record, set by B.J. Upton (16) in 2008. – He is 1 hit shy of tying NYY Derek Jeter in 1996 for the most by a rookie in a single postseason…he is the first rookie in major league history with four 3-hit games in a single postseason…this ties a postseason record for 3-hit games (regardless of rookie status). MINOR MATTERS—The Rays are the sixth team to rank No. 1 in Baseball America’s preseason Organizational Talent Rankings and advance to the World Series that same year…they are attempting to become the third team to win the World Series when ranked No. 1 in these rankings…special thanks to J.J. Cooper of Baseball America for the research…the Rays joined the 2013 Cardinals, 2008 Rays, 1999 Braves, 1995 Braves (won World Series) and 1993 Blue Jays (won World Series)…Baseball America debuted their Organizational Talent Rankings in 1984…their current Top 100 list includes seven Rays and is bookended by a pair of Rays, with INF Wander Franco at No. 1 overall and OF Randy Arozarena at No. 100.
UPCOMING PROBABLE PITCHERS & BROADCAST SCHEDULE Upcoming Games Time (ET) Probable Starting Pitchers (Rays vs. Opp.) TV & Radio Thurs., 10/22 vs. LAD 8:08 p.m. RH Charlie Morton (3-0, 0.57) vs. RH Walker Buehler (1-0, 1.89) FOX, ESPN Radio, WDAE 95.3 FM/620 AM, WGES 680 AM
TONIGHT’S GAME 2 STARTER: LH BLAKE SNELL (2-2, 3.20 ERA)
LAST START—In Game 6 of the League Championship Series vs. HOU, was charged 2 runs in 4 IP and took his second loss of the postseason…needed 42 pitches to complete his first 2 IP, allowing 1 hit and 3 BB, but induced an inning-ending SO/CS in the 1st inning and 5-4-3 GDP in the 2nd to avoid any damage…went 1-2-3 in the 3rd, then stranded a leadoff single in the 4th…allowed a walk and single to start the 5th before being replaced, and Diego Castillo allowed both runners to score on a 2-run single to George Springer…his line: L, 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 SO, 1 WP, 82 pit., 45 str. – Marked his shortest start since Aug 7 vs. NYY (3 IP)…spanning regular season and postseason, snapped a streak of 11 consecutive starts of 5 IP (or more). POSTSEASON—Is 2-3 with a 2.88 ERA (25-IP, 8-ER) in seven career postseason apps (5 starts), including a 3.20 ERA (19.2-IP, 7-ER) in 4 starts this postseason…has allowed 1 hit in 9 AB with RISP this postseason, yielding an infield single that didn’t produce a run to HOU Aledmys Díaz in Game 1 of the ALCS…his avg. fastball velocity this postseason is 95.6 mph, according to StatCast, 5th-fastest by a left-handed pitcher in a single postseason (min. 100 fastballs) since pitch velocities are available (2008). – After recording 18 swings-and-misses in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series vs. TOR, has recorded a combined 25 swings-and-misses in his 3 starts since. – In Game 1 of the League Championship Series, recorded the win after yielding 1 run in 5 IP…in Game 1 of the Division Series 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 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. vs. DODGERS—Will be making his second career start against the Dodgers…his only previous start against them came on Sep 17, 2019 at Dodger Stadium, when he returned from the 10-day IL (loose bodies in left elbow) and made his first start since July 21 vs. CWS…retired all 6 BF, including four via strikeout. – Is 8-4 with a 2.07 ERA (91.1-IP, 21-ER) in 16 career interleague starts, the 3rd-best interleague ERA in the majors since 2016 behind WAS Max Scherzer (1.92) and LAD Clayton Kershaw (2.02)…has yielded 2 runs (or fewer) in 13 of 16 starts, 1 run (or fewer) in 10 starts and 0 runs in 8 starts. 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. 50 AB).
The 116th World Series Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, October 21, 2020 World Series Game Two Notes Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
2020 WS RESULTS DATE RESULT WINNING PITCHER LOSING PITCHER SAVE ATTENDANCE Tuesday, October 20th LAD 8-3 Clayton Kershaw Tyler Glasnow — 11,388 2020 WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE GAME DAY/DATE SITE FIRST PITCH (ET/SITE) TV/RADIO 2 Wednesday, October 21st Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio Thursday, October 22nd OFF DAY 3 Friday, October 23rd Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio 4 Saturday, October 24th Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio 5* Sunday, October 25th Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio Monday, October 26th OFF DAY 6* Tuesday, October 27th Globe Life Field 8:08 p.m. / 7:08 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio 7* Wednesday, October 28th Globe Life Field 8:09 p.m. / 7:09 p.m. FOX/ESPN Radio *If Necessary 2020 WORLD SERIES PROBABLE PITCHERS (Regular Season/Postseason) Game 2 at Arlington: Tony Gonsolin (2-2, 2.31, 46 SO / 0-1, 9.95, 8 SO) vs. Blake Snell (4-2, 3.24, 63 SO / 2-2, 3.20, 19 SO) Game 3 at Arlington: Walker Buehler (1-0, 3.44, 42 SO / 1-0, 1.89, 29 SO) vs. Charlie Morton (2-2, 4.74, 42 SO / 3-0, 0.57, 17 SO) Game 4 at Arlington: TBD vs. TBD 116th WORLD SERIES • 2020 marks the 116th renewal of the World Series featuring the champions of the American League against the champions of the National League. The Fall Classic was first played in 1903, and has taken place every year since 1904, when the National League champion New York Giants and their manager John McGraw refused to play the AL champs, the Boston Red Sox, and in 1994, when the season ended on August 11th due to the players’ strike. GAME ONE RESULTS • The Dodgers improved to 21-30 in Game One of a Postseason series since 1900. They are now 3-1 this year in Game One, only losing to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS but previously defeating the San Diego Padres in the NLDS and Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card. • With the loss, the Rays are 4-7 all-time in Game 1 of a Postseason series. They are 2-2 this year in Game 1s, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card and the Houston Astros in the ALCS, and also falling to the New York Yankees in the ALDS. • The Dodgers are now 7-14 in Game One of a World Series since 1900. LA will attempt to not replicate their effort in 2017 in which they won Game One before losing to the Astros in a thrilling seven-game series. The Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship was the last time that the Club won Game One and went on to claim the Commissioner’s Trophy. • Playing in their second World Series, the Rays remain winless in Game One of a Fall Classic, previously falling to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. TAKING A 2-0 LEAD • Fifty-six teams have jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the World Series, with 45 of those going on to win the championship (80.4%). A team jumping out to a 2-0 lead has gone on to win the series in each of the last 12 occurrences (Yankees in 1998-99-2000; Arizona in 2001;Boston in 2004 and 2007; Chicago in 2005; San Francisco in 2010 and 2012; Kansas City in 2015; Boston in 2018; and Washington last year) and 18 of the last 19 times, with the lone exception being Atlanta in 1996. The Braves won the first two contests at Yankee Stadium but lost the next four games. TIED AT 1-1 • Of the 59 times that a World Series has been tied, 1-1, the winner of Game 2 has gone on to capture the Series on 31 occasions (52.5%). However, that has been the case on just four of 12 occasions since 1993, those being Anaheim in 2002, New York in 2009, Chicago in 2016 and Houston in 2017. The 1993 Phillies, 1997 Indians, 2003 Yankees, 2006 Tigers, 2008 Rays, 2011 Rangers, 2013 Cardinals and 2014 Royals all won Game 2 to square the Fall Classic, but went on to lose the Series. MOOKIE’S ONE-OF-A-KIND NIGHT • Mookie Betts delivered a home run and two stolen bases in last night’s victory. He became the second player in World Series history to post such a game, joining Chase Utley (2008 G1). • In addition, he became the first player in World Series history to post a home run, two stolen bases and two runs scored in a single game. It marked only the fifth such game in Postseason history overall, joining Jose Reyes (2006 NLCS G6), Reggie Sanders (1995 NLDS G2), Bert Campaneris (1973 ALCS G2) and Tommie Agee (1969 NLCS G2). • Betts became the third Dodgers player (fourth time) to nab two bases in a Fall Classic contest, joining Davey Lopes (1981 G4 and 1974 G3) and Willie Davis (1965 G5). • With two stolen bases and a walk during LA’s explosive fifth inning, Mookie joined Hall of Famer Babe Ruth as the only players in World Series history to record such an inning. • The Dodgers stole three bases in the fifth inning tonight, marking the seventh time that has been done in a World Series game, and the first since the New York Giants in Game Six of the 1912 World Series. BELL(D)INGER • Cody Bellinger clubbed a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning tonight to give LA its first lead of the ballgame. The round-tripper was the eighth of his Postseason career, matching his teammates Max Muncy, Joc Pederson and Kike Hernández for fifth-most in franchise history. Hall of Famer Duke Snider (11) holds the Club record and is trailed by Steve Garvey (10) and Cody’s teammates Justin Turner (10) and Corey Seager (10). • Bellinger has now clubbed four home runs during the 2020 Postseason, tied for third-most in franchise history for a single Postseason. He trails Seager, who has launched six homers during this year’s playoff run, and Davey Lopes (5 HR, 1978). • In addition, the homer was his fourth career go-ahead Postseason round-tripper, tying Snider and Seager for second-most in Dodgers lore. Turner holds the record with five such home runs. Bellinger also became the second player in Postseason history to club a go-ahead homer in Game Seven of an LCS and Game One of a Fall Classic, joining David Ortiz (2004). MV-POWER • According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts became the fifth pair of former MVP winners on the same team to both homer in a World Series game. The explosive duo joined Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent (2002); Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson (1977), Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson (1966), and Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris (1964). CLUB 200 • With eight strikeouts last night, Clayton Kershaw became just the second pitcher in Postseason history to register 200 career strikeouts, joining Justin Verlander. Verlander holds the Postseason record with 205 career punchouts. Kershaw (201) surpassed Hall of Famer John Smoltz (199) for second-most all-time. • Kershaw’s outing with eight punchouts and one walk allowed was the eighth such outing in World Series history by a Dodgers hurler, and the first since he did it in Game One of the 2017 Fall Classic. Prior to Kershaw, it was accomplished by Burt Hooton (1977 G2) and Don Newcombe (1949 G1), and Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax (1965 G5, 1965 G2, 1963 G4) and Don Drysdale (1963 G3). • In addition, the start was Kershaw’s ninth career Postseason outing in which he tossed at least 6.0 innings without allowing more than one walk or a single earned run, the most of any pitcher in Baseball history. • The outing was also his sixth Postseason start in which he went at least 6.0 innings with eight-or-more punchouts while not allowing more than one earned run, joining Justin Verlander (8), Josh Beckett (6) and Curt Schilling (6) as the only hurlers in history to post six-or-more such starts. UNIQUE IN THE LOSS • Tyler Glasnow registered eight strikeouts in the losing effort last night, establishing a franchise record for the most strikeouts in a Fall Classic contest. • Glasnow became the sixth pitcher in World Series history to tally at least eight strikeouts while pitching fewer than 5.0 innings, joining Justin Verlander (2006 G1), Jason Schmidt (2002 G5), Bob Welch (1988 G3), Roger Craig (1964 G4) and Ryne Duren (1958 G6). • He became the 11th pitcher in World Series history to record at least eight strikeouts and six walks in an outing, and the first since Hall of Famer Steve Carlton in Game 2 of the 1980 Fall Classic. • Glasnow became the third pitcher in history to have a World Series outing in which he permitted at least six runs on three hits-or-fewer, joining Guy Bush (1932 G1) and Todd Stottlemyre (1993 G4). • In addition, Tyler’s 112 pitches were the most by a Rays pitcher in any game since July 7, 2108 when tomorrow’s Game Two starter Blake Snell also threw 112. The 112-pitch outing also set a career high for Glasnow. CREAM OF THE CROP • This year’s Fall Classic features Clubs with the best overall record from each league for the first time since the Cardinals and Red Sox in 2013. Overall, it marks the 13th such matchup since 1969. Year AL Team Record NL Team Record 2020 Tampa Bay 40-20 LA Dodgers 43-17 2013 Boston 97-65 St. Louis 97-65 1999 NY Yankees 98-64 Atlanta 103-59 1995 Cleveland 100-44 Atlanta 90-54 1992 Toronto 96-66 Atlanta 98-64 1986 Boston 108-54 NY Mets 108-54 1982 Milwaukee 95-67 St. Louis 92-70 1979 Baltimore 102-57 Pittsburgh 98-64 1978 NY Yankees 100-63 LA Dodgers 95-67 1976 NY Yankees 97-62 Cincinnati 102-60 1971 Baltimore 101-57 Pittsburgh 97-65 1970 Baltimore 108-54 Cincinnati 102-60 1969 Baltimore 109-53 NY Mets 100-62 • Should the Dodgers claim this year’s Commissioner’s Trophy, they would become just the seventh World Series winner in the Wild Card Era to also have posted the best regular season record in the Majors. This was previously accomplished by the 2018 Red Sox; the 2016 Cubs; the 2013 Red Sox; the 2009 Yankees; the 2007 Red Sox; and the 1998 Yankees. THE MANAGERS Kevin Cash is in his sixth full season with the Rays, and is making his first appearance in the Fall Classic. • Cash has guided the Rays to a 454-416 (.522) record during his six years at the helm. • Cash became the fifth manager in Rays history and is already the second-longest tenured behind only Joe Maddon (2006-14).
Across Baseball, is the third-longest tenured manager with his current team behind Oakland’s Bob Melvin (9) and Cleveland’s Terry Francona (8). • Finished third in 2018 and 2019 AL Manager of the Year voting. Was behind Rocco Baldelli (MIN) and Aaron Boone (NYY) in 2019, and Bob Melvin (OAK) and Alex Cora (BOS) in 2018. • At age-41 during the 2019 season, became the youngest AL East manger to lead his team to the Postseason since 1995, when Buck Showalter of the Yankees (age 39) and Kevin Kennedy of the Red Sox (age 41) both accomplished the feat. • Played eight seasons at the Major League level across stints with the Blue Jays (2002-04), Rays (2005), Red Sox (2007-08), Yankees (2009), Astros (2010) and Red Sox (2010). Dave Roberts is in his fifth season as manager of the Dodgers, and has made an appearance in each Postseason as skipper. • Roberts piloted the Dodgers to a 436-273 (.615) record across his five seasons at the helm. • Prior to being named manager of the Club in 2016, Roberts lost his lone game as interim manager of the San Diego Padres in 2015. • Is the first manager in Baseball history to guide the Dodgers to the Postseason in each of his first five seasons with the Club. • Roberts’ Dodgers won a franchise-record 106 game during the 2019 season. • In his first season as manager in 2016, was named NL Manager of the Year, joining Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda (1983, 88) as the only managers in Club history to win the award since its inception in 1983. • Across 10 Major League seasons, played for the Indians (1999-2001), Dodgers (2002-04), Red Sox (2004), Padres (2005-06) and Giants (2007-08). GAME TWO STARTERS GONSOLIN: Has made just two career Postseason appearances, both occurring during this current playoff run. Lost his lone decision, while posting eight strikeouts, six walks and a 9.95 ERA over 6.1 innings pitched. • Gonsolin started Game Two of the NLCS vs. Atlanta (7-8 loss) and made a relief appearance in Game Seven of the NLCS vs. Atlanta (4-3 win). • Tony’s seven strikeout-performance in his first career Postseason appearance in Game Two of the NLCS matched Walker Buehler for the third-most in a playoff debut in franchise history, trailing Don Newcombe (11 SO, 1949 WS G1) and Tim Belcher (10 SO, 1988 NLCS G2). • During the regular season, Gonsolin posted a 2-2 record with 46 punchouts, seven walks, 32 hits and a 2.31 ERA across nine appearances (including eight starts) and 46.2 innings. • Across his first five starts of the 2020 campaign, recorded a 0.76 ERA and 25:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 23.2 innings pitched. • Has made one career appearance against the Rays, throwing 2.0 innings of relief on September 18, 2019. Surrendered two earned runs while notching two strikeouts and three walks. • No Rays player currently on their World Series roster has logged more than one at-bat against Gonsolin, nor has any registered a hit. Joey Wendle, Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot and Nate Lowe are all 0-for-1 (.000). Austin Meadows, Ji-Man Choi and Willy Adames each drew a walk in their lone appearances against Tony. SNELL: Across seven career Postseason appearances, including five starts, Blake is 2-3 with 26 strikeouts, 10 walks and a 2.88 ERA over 25.0 innings pitched. • Has made four starts during the 2020 Postseason, going 2-2 with a 3.20 ERA and a 19:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 19.2 innings of work. Has surrendered four home runs and 16 hits. • Snell started Game One of the AL Wild Card vs. Toronto (3-1 win); Game One of the ALDS vs. NY Yankees (3-9 loss); Game One of the ALCS vs. Houston (2-1 win); and Game Six of the ALCS vs. Houston (4-7 loss). • During the regular season, Snell delivered a 4-2 record with 63 punchouts, 18 walks, 42 hits and a 3.24 ERA over 11 starts and 50.0 innings. • Posted his strongest month of the 2020 campaign in August, winning each of his three decisions with a 2.66 ERA in five starts. Collected 28 strikeouts while allowing 16 hits over 23.2 innings of action. • Has made one career start against the Dodgers. On September 17, 2019, retired all six batters he faced with four strikeouts after returning from the Injured List. • Mookie Betts has logged the most career at-bats against Snell, batting 7-for-23 (.304) with two doubles, a home run and six RBI. Chris Taylor, AJ Pollock, Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger and Kike Hernández are all 0-for-1 (.000). FAMILIAR TERRITORY • The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their 21st NL Pennant in franchise history, the most of any NL Club and secondmost all-time behind the Yankees (40). • The Dodgers became just the second team since 1969 to represent the NL in the World Series three times across four Postseasons (2017-18, 2020), joining the Atlanta Braves, who earned four NL Pennants across five Postseasons from 1991-96 (excluding 1993). RELATIVE NEWCOMERS • The Tampa Bay Rays are appearing in just their second World Series in franchise history. In their lone appearance in 2008, the Rays were defeated by the Phillies in five games. COMING IN HOT • The Dodgers won three consecutive games while facing elimination to win the NLCS, marking the second time that the Clubs has accomplished the feat during a Postseason series. During the 1981 NLDS against the Houston Astros, the Dodgers won three straight after falling behind two game-to-none in the best-of-five series. • The Dodgers became the eighth team in Postseason history to accomplish the feat in a best-of-seven LCS series, joining the 2012 Giants; the 2007 Red Sox; the 2004 Red Sox (4); the 2003 Marlins; the 1996 Braves; the 1986 Red Sox; and the 1985 Royals. TAKING THE LONG ROUTE • This year’s ALCS marked just the second in Major League history to feature a decisive Game 7 after one Club held a 3-0 series lead. The 2004 ALCS was the only other such occurrence, which saw the Boston Red Sox complete the series comeback against the New York Yankees en route to their World Series crown. • Following a sweep of the Blue Jays, the Rays required five games to defeat the Yankees in the ALDS and all seven games against the Astros to advance to the Fall Classic. Game Two Notes – Wednesday, October 21, 2020 The Rays became the ninth Club in Postseason history to play a “winner-take-all” game in both the Division Series and Championship Series, joining the 2017 Yankees; the 2012 Giants; the 2012 Cardinals; the 2004 Astros; the 2003 Cubs; the 2003 Red Sox; the 1981 Dodgers; and the 1981 Expos. TITLE TOWN(S) USA • Both cities of Los Angeles and Tampa Bay enter the 2020 Fall Classic having already secured a championship in one of the other ‘Big Four’ professional sports. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat to claim the NBA’s Larry O’Brien Trophy, while the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Dallas Stars to garner the Stanley Cup. • Should the Dodgers emerge victorious from this year’s Fall Classic, it would mark the first time since 1988 that Los Angeles enjoyed a pair of champions in the same year. The City of LA became the first and still is only city to have the NBA champion and World Series champion in the same year. It is worth noting that in 2002, the Anaheim Angels and Lakers also both won their respective championships. • Tampa Bay is vying to become just the third city in history to have a World Series champion and Stanley Cup champion in the same year. The feat was accomplished by New York twice – first in 1928 with the New York Yankees and New York Rangers, and again in 1933 with the New York Giants and New York Rangers. COAST TO COAST • For the fifth time since Major League Baseball began the six-division format in 1994, the Fall Classic is featuring teams from the NL West and the AL East. • The Red Sox defeated the Dodgers in 2018; the Red Sox defeated the Rockies in 2007; the Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees in 2001; and the Yankees defeated the Padres in 1998. BEEN HERE BEFORE Of the 56 players that were on the Dodgers and Rays LCS rosters, 18 have previous World Series experience, including 17 from the Dodgers. • Los Angeles: Pedro Báez (2018 Dodgers), Austin Barnes (2017-18 Dodgers), Cody Bellinger (2017-18 Dodgers), Mookie Betts (2018 Red Sox), Walker Buehler (2018 Dodgers), Dylan Floro (2018 Dodgers), Kiké Hernández (2017-18 Dodgers), Kenley Jansen (2017-18 Dodgers), Joe Kelly (2013 Cardinals, 2018 Red Sox), Clayton Kershaw (2017-18 Dodgers), Max Muncy (2018 Dodgers), Joc Pederson (2017-18 Dodgers), Corey Seager (2017 Dodgers), Chris Taylor (2017-18 Dodgers), Justin Turner (2017-18 Dodgers), Julio Urías (2018 Dodgers), Alex Wood (2017-18 Dodgers) • Tampa Bay: Charlie Morton (2017 Astros) ALL AROUND THE WORLD • According to each Club’s WS rosters, the teams combine for 15 foreign-born players. The 15 players hail from the Dominican Republic (four – Willy Adames, Pedro Báez, Diego Castillo, Manuel Margot); Puerto Rico (three – Kiké Hernández, Michael Perez, Edwin Ríos); Cuba (two – Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz); Mexico (two – Victor González, Julio Urías); Curaçao (one – Kenley Jansen); Japan (one – Yoshitomo Tsutsugo); South Korea (one – JiMan Choi); and Venezuela (one – Brusdar Graterol). WORLD SERIES UMPIRES • Bill Miller will serve as primary Crew Chief for the umpires in the 2020 World Series, and this will be the fourth Fall Classic for Miller (2010, 13, 17). Miller, who will be off for Game Two, will be joined by (with Game Two Assignments and number of World Series appearances, including 2020) Laz Diaz (RF, third), Chris Guccione (1B, second), Marvin Hudson (2B, second), Jerry Meals (3B, second), Mark Carlson (LF, second) and Todd Tichenor (HP, first). Meals will serve as the crew chief in Game Two of the World Series. The Replay Official during the World Series will be Major League Umpire Adrian Johnson, who will be assisted by Major League Umpire David Rackley. MLB is deeply saddened by the passing of 34-year Major League Umpire Derryl Cousins at the age of 74. The Californian worked nearly 4,500 games and three World Series (1988, 1999, 2005) and was behind the plate for White Sox clincher in 2005.
OCTOBER 21st IN BASEBALL HISTORY Today in Baseball history, several notable feats: • In 1973, The Oakland A’s capture their second consecutive World Championship with a 5-2 win over the New York Mets in Game 7 as Reggie Jackson and Bert Campaneris both hit key two-run home runs for Oakland. • In 1975, Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk hits one of the most memorable home runs in Major League history with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 6 at Fenway Park to force a seventh game against the Cincinnati Reds. • In 1980, the Philadelphia Phillies win their first World Series in their 98-year history, defeating the Kansas City Royals 4-1 in Game 6 at Veterans Stadium. Phillies hurler Steve Carlton holds the Royals to just four hits over seven innings of work. • In 2000, the New York Yankees defeat the New York Mets in Game 1 of the Subway Series in the four-hour, 51-minute thriller, the longest World Series game ever played to that point. José Vizcaino’s two-out single in the 12th inning gives the Yankees a 4-3 win and their 13th consecutive Fall Classic victory. • In 2006, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes defeats Detroit Tigers hurler Justin Verlander in the first World Series game started by two rookie pitchers. Reyes allows just two runs and four hits with five strikeouts over eight innings in the 7-2 win. Game Two Notes – Wednesday, October 21, 2020
If the baseball fans of New England hadn’t already been experiencing enough anguish watching Mookie Betts spearhead a postseason run in Dodger blue, Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday night probably made them even sicker. Betts became the first player in World Series history to score two runs, steal two bases and hit…
The 116th World Series Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday, October 20, 2020 World Series Game 1 – Postgame Notes Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
First Pitch: 7:11 p.m CT. Gametime Temperature: 82 degrees Tonight’s Attendance: 11,388 Time of Game: 3:24 PITCHING LINES LA DODGERS IP H R ER BB-I SO HR WP BF Pitches/Strikes Clayton Kershaw 6.0 2 1 1 1-0 8 1 0 21 78/53 Dylan Floro 0.1 2 2 2 0-0 1 0 0 3 15/8 Victor González 0.2 2 0 0 0-0 0 0 0 3 14/7 Pedro Báez 1.0 0 0 0 0-0 0 0 0 3 11/7 Joe Kelly 1.0 0 0 0 0-0 1 0 0 3 10/5 TAMPA BAY IP H R ER BB-I SO HR WP BF Pitches/Strikes Tyler Glasnow (L) 4.1 3 6 6 6-0 8 1 1 23 112/58 Ryan Yarbrough 0.2 2 0 0 0-0 0 0 0 4 19/13 Josh Fleming 2.2 5 2 2 1-0 2 1 0 13 40/25 John Curtiss 0.1 0 0 0 0-0 1 0 0 1 3/3
FIRST GAME WINNERS • 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. • In 21 of the last 34 Series beginning in 1985, the winner of Game One of the World Series has also won Game, the exceptions being 1992 (Toronto over Atlanta), 1993 (Philadelphia over Toronto), 1997 (Cleveland over Florida), 2002 (Anaheim over San Francisco), 2003 (New York over Florida), 2006 (Detroit over St. Louis), 2008 (Tampa Bay over Philadelphia), 2009 (New York over Philadelphia), 2011 (Texas over St. Louis), 2013 (St. Louis over Boston), 2014 (Kansas City over San Francisco), 2016 (Chicago over Cleveland) and 2017 (Houston over Los Angeles). GAME ONE RESULTS • The Dodgers improved to 21-30 in Game One of a Postseason series since 1900. They are now 3-1 this year in Game One, only losing to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS but previously defeating the San Diego Padres in the NLDS and Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card. • With the loss, the Rays are 4-7 all-time in Game 1 of a Postseason series. They are 2-2 this year in Game 1s, defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card and the Houston Astros in the ALCS, and also falling to the New York Yankees in the ALDS.
• The Dodgers are now 7-14 in Game One of a World Series since 1900. LA will attempt to not replicate their effort in 2017 in which they won Game One before losing to the Astros in a thrilling seven-game series. The Dodgers’ 1988 World Series championship was the last time that the Club won Game One and went on to claim the Commissioner’s Trophy. • Playing in their second World Series, the Rays remain winless in Game One of a Fall Classic, previously falling to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. TAKING A 2-0 LEAD • Fifty-six teams have jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the World Series, with 45 of those going on to win the championship (80.4%). A team jumping out to a 2-0 lead has gone on to win the series in each of the last 12 occurrences (Yankees in 1998-99-2000; Arizona in 2001;Boston in 2004 and 2007; Chicago in 2005; San Francisco in 2010 and 2012; Kansas City in 2015; Boston in 2018; and Washington last year) and 18 of the last 19 times, with the lone exception being Atlanta in 1996. The Braves won the first two contests at Yankee Stadium but lost the next four games. TIED AT 1-1 • Of the 59 times that a World Series has been tied, 1-1, the winner of Game 2 has gone on to capture the Series on 31 occasions (52.5%). However, that has been the case on just four of 12 occasions since 1993, those being Anaheim in 2002, New York in 2009, Chicago in 2016 and Houston in 2017. The 1993 Phillies, 1997 Indians, 2003 Yankees, 2006 Tigers, 2008 Rays, 2011 Rangers, 2013 Cardinals and 2014 Royals all won Game 2 to square the Fall Classic, but went on to lose the Series. MOOKIE TIME • Mookie Betts delivered a home run, two runs scored and two stolen bases in tonight’s victory. He became the second player in World Series history to post such a game, joining Chase Utley (2008 G1). • Moreover, he became the first player in World Series history to post a home run, two stolen bases and two runs scored in a single game. • It marked only the fifth such game in Postseason history overall, joining Jose Reyes (2006 NLCS G6), Reggie Sanders (1995 NLDS G2), Bert Campaneris (1973 ALCS G2) and Tommie Agee (1969 NLCS G2). CLUB 200 • With eight strikeouts tonight, Clayton Kershaw became just the second pitcher in Postseason history to register 200 career strikeouts, joining Justin Verlander. Verlander holds the Postseason record with 205 career punchouts. Kershaw (201) surpassed Hall of Famer John Smoltz (199) for second-most all-time. • Kershaw’s outing with eight punchouts and one walk allowed was the eighth such outing in World Series history by a Dodgers hurler, and the first since he did it in Game One of the 2017 Fall Classic. Prior to Kershaw, it was accomplished by Burt Hooton (1977 G2) and Don Newcombe (1949 G1), and Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax (1965 G5, 1965 G2, 1963 G4) and Don Drysdale (1963 G3). Game 1 Postgame Notes – Tuesday, October 20, 2020 • In addition, the start was Kershaw’s ninth career Postseason outing in which he tossed at least 6.0 innings without allowing more than one walk or a single earned run, the most of any pitcher in Baseball history. • The outing was also his sixth Postseason start in which he went at least 6.0 innings with eight-or-more punchouts while not allowing more than one earned run, joining Justin Verlander (8), Josh Beckett (6) and Curt Schilling (6) as the only hurlers in history to post six-or-more such starts. BELLI POWER • Cody Bellinger clubbed a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning tonight to give LA its first lead of the ballgame. The round-tripper was the eighth of his Postseason career, matching his teammates Max Muncy, Joc Pederson and Kike Hernández for fifth-most in franchise history. Hall of Famer Duke Snider (11) holds the Club record and is trailed by Steve Garvey (10) and Cody’s teammates Justin Turner (10) and Corey Seager (10). • Bellinger has now clubbed four home runs during the 2020 Postseason, tied for third-most in franchise history for a single Postseason. He trails Seager, who has launched six homers during this year’s playoff run, and Davey Lopes (5 HR, 1978). • In addition, the homer was his fourth career go-ahead Postseason round-tripper, tying Snider and Seager for second-most in Dodgers lore. Turner holds the record with five such home runs. Bellinger also became the second player in Postseason history to club a go-ahead homer in Game Seven of an LCS and Game One of a Fall Classic, joining David Ortiz (2004). MV-POWER • According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts became the fifth pair of former MVP winners on the same team to both homer in a World Series game. The explosive duo joined Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent (2002); Reggie Jackson and Thurman Munson (1977), Brooks Robinson and Frank Robinson (1966), and Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris (1964). WALK THIS WAY • Corey Seager became the fourth player in franchise history to draw three walks in a single World Series game, joining Hall of Famers Duke Snider (1956 G6) and Jackie Robinson (1952 G5), as well as Jim Gilliam (1956 G2). • The outing was the fourth of his career in which he walked three times, all previously occurring in the regular season (September 11; 2015, June 3, 2017; June 17, 2017). TACO TUESDAY • Mookie Betts stole a pair of bases tonight and Corey Seager stole a base to mark the fourth time in Dodgers World Series history with three stolen bases in a single game (also: 1952 G3; 1965 G3; 1965 G4). • Mookie became the third Dodgers player (fourth time) to nab two bases in a Fall Classic contest, joining Davey Lopes (1981 G4 and 1974 G3) and Willie Davis (1965 G5). • With two stolen bases and a walk during LA’s explosive fifth inning, Mookie joined Hall of Famer Babe Ruth as the only players in World Series history to record such an inning. • The Dodgers stole three bases in the fifth inning tonight, marking the seventh time that has been done in a World Series game, and the first since the New York Giants in Game Six of the 1912 World Series. UNIQUE IN THE LOSS • Tyler Glasnow registered eight strikeouts in the losing effort tonight, establishing a franchise record for the most strikeouts in a Fall Classic contest. • Glasnow became the sixth pitcher in World Series history to tally at least eight strikeouts while pitching fewer than 5.0 innings, joining Justin Verlander (2006 G1), Jason Schmidt (2002 G5), Bob Welch (1988 G3), Roger Craig (1964 G4) and Ryne Duren (1958 G6). • He became the 11th pitcher in World Series history to record at least eight strikeouts and six walks in an outing, and the first since Hall of Famer Steve Carlton in Game 2 of the 1980 Fall Classic. • Glasnow became the third pitcher in history to have a World Series outing in which he permitted at least six runs on three hits-or-fewer, joining Guy Bush (1932 G1) and Todd Stottlemyre (1993 G4).
• In addition, Tyler’s 112 pitches were the most by a Rays pitcher in any game since July 7, 2108 when tomorrow’s Game Two starter Blake Snell also threw 112. The 112-pitch outing also set a career high for Glasnow. HOMER HISTORY FOR TB • Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier launched a solo home run in the fifth inning tonight. He became the fourth player (fifth time) in franchise history to homer in a Fall Classic, joining Carl Crawford (G1 and G4 in 2008), Eric Hinske (G4 in 2008) and Rocco Baldelli (G5 in 2008). ROOKIE IMPACT • Mike Brosseau became the second rookie in team history to log an RBI in a World Series game, joining Evan Longoria, who did so in Games Two and Five of the 2008 World Series.
• His pinch-hit single made him the second Ray to record an RBI as a pinch-hitter in the World Series, joining Eric Hinske in Game 4 of the 2008 World Series (pinch-hit home run off Joe Blanton). YANDY LEADING OFF • Yandy Díaz led off for the Tampa Bay Rays tonight, becoming the eighth different first baseman (22nd time) to bat leadoff in a World Series game in MLB history, joining Cecil Cooper, Mike Lamb, David Freese, Max Muncy, Whitey Lockman, Johnny Sturm, Pete Rose and Eddie Waitkus. THE WORLD’S GAME • With his outing tonight, Victor González became the 10th pitcher born in Mexico to appear in a World Series game, joining Horacio Pina, Enrique Romo, Fernando Valenezuela, Aurelio Lopez, Alfredo Aceves, Fernando Salas, Jaime García, Julio Urías and Roberto Osuna. • According to each Club’s WS rosters, the teams combine for 15 foreign-born players. The 15 players hail from the Dominican Republic (four – Willy Adames, Pedro Báez, Diego Castillo, Manuel Margot); Puerto Rico (three – Kiké Hernández, Michael Perez, Edwin Ríos); Cuba (two – Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz); Mexico (two – Victor González, Julio Urías); Curaçao (one – Kenley Jansen); Japan (one – Yoshitomo Tsutsugo); South Korea (one – Ji-Man Choi); and Venezuela (one – Brusdar Graterol).
ARLINGTON, Texas — Celebrate responsibly. His right shoulder still sore from the overamped forearm bash that popped it out on Sunday, Cody Bellinger ditched the forearm but kept the bash, opting for foot taps all around after clubbing a two-run home run in the fourth inning of World Series Game 1 on Tuesday night. That…
Sign In This kid Randy Arozarena has been on a pretty clutch tear for the Tampa Bay Rays here in Major League Baseball’s postseason. And a historic one, really. With a two-run blast Saturday evening in the first inning for Tampa Bay, the Rays left fielder gave his team an early boost in Game 7…
TAMPA BAY RAYS (3-3) vs. HOUSTON ASTROS (3-3) RH Charlie Morton (2-0, 0.90) vs. RH Lance McCullers Jr. (0-1, 4.09) Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020 First Pitch: 8:37 p.m. Location: Petco Park TV: TBS Radio: ESPN Radio.
WINNER TAKE ALL—With a win tonight, the Rays would advance to the World Series for the second time in franchise history (2008)…tonight is the eighth “winner take all” game in club history, with the Rays going 5-2 in the previous seven…it is their fourth in the last two postseasons (2019-20), following the 2020 Division Series vs. NYY (2-1 win), 2019 Division Series at HOU (6-1 loss) and 2019 Wild Card Game at OAK (5-1 win)… the Rays are the ninth team in major league history to play a “winner take all” game in both the Division Series and League Championship Series, joining the 2017 Yankees (lost LCS), 2012 Giants (won World Series), 2012 Cardinals (lost LCS), 2004 Astros (lost LCS), 2003 Cubs (lost LCS), 2003 Red Sox (lost LCS), 1981 Dodgers (won World Series) and 1981 Expos (lost LCS). – Tonight is the second Game 7 in club history, with the Rays going 4,380 days in between…the first was a 3-1 win over the Red Sox in the 2008 ALCS resulting in the Rays only trip to the World Series. – This is the eighth AL Championship Series to go to a Game 7 since it was changed to a best-of-seven format prior to the 1985 season. – Tonight is the fourth time in Rays history they will bat last in a “winner take all” game, and they are 2-1 in the previous 3 games. – The Rays are 9-5 all-time when facing elimination, including 4-1 over the 2019-20 postseasons…over the last two postseasons, the Rays have hit 13 HR in their 5 games when facing elimination. – The Rays are 24-25 all-time in the postseason and 8-5 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. – The Rays have lost three consecutive postseason games for the first time since 2011 (3)…their only longer postseason losing streak spanned the 2008-10 postseasons (5)…in the 2020 regular season, the Rays lost more than three straight once: July 29–Aug 2 (5). TAKE TWO—This is the second straight postseason the Rays and Astros are playing each other in a “winner take all” game…this is the first time in major league history two teams met in a Game 5 of the Division Series one season, and then went to a Game 7 of the League Championship Series the very next season…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, teams have faced each other in a “winner take all” game in back-to-back seasons seven times, most recently the Athletics and Tigers in the 2012-13 Division Series and the Yankees and Red Sox in the 2003-04 Championship Series. – This series is the second best-of-seven in major league history to go to a decisive Game 7 after one team held a 3-0 series lead…the only other time was the 2004 AL Championship Series, which saw the Red Sox complete the series comeback against the Yankees… in postseason history, teams are 37-1 in best-of-seven series when leading 3-0, 74-13 when leading 3-1 and 73-32 when leading 3-2. – The Rays would need a win tonight to avoid largest upset by regular-season winning pct. in postseason history…there was a 184-point difference between the Rays (.667) and Astros (.483). – Tonight’s games will see the AL pennant won by either the Rays or Astros and includes the possibility of a Braves clinch…in major league history, there have been 13 times (and 10 times since the League Championship Series began in 1969) where both pennants were won on the same day, but the last time was on Oct 14, 1992. ABOUT THE OFFENCE—In the League Championship Series, the Rays are batting .199 (38-for-191) with 70 SO…according to ESPN Stats & Info, starting with Game 4 of the Division Series the Rays have hit .230 (or below) in eight consecutive games, the longest such streak in postseason history…only three teams have ever won a postseason series with 70 SO (or more): 2018 Dodgers in the NLCS vs. MIL (82), 2013 Red Sox in the ALCS vs. DET (73) and 2001 Diamondbacks in the World Series vs. NYY (70). – The Rays are batting .179 (12-for-67) with RISP this postseason, including .140 (6-for-43) in the last 8 games and .171 (6-for-35) in the LCS…they are hitless in their last 12 AB with RISP, with the last hit coming in Game 4 (Ji-Man Choi infield single)…their last run-scoring hit with RISP came in Game 3 (Hunter Renfroe 2-run double). – The Rays have scored a combined 24 runs (3.0 R/G) in their last 8 games, with 3 runs (or fewer) in five of 8 games over that stretch. – 71.7 pct. (38 of 53) of the Rays runs this postseason have come on home runs, compared to 41.5 pct. (120 of 289) during the regular season…22.6 pct. (12 of 53) of their runs this postseason have come on solo homers…the Rays have hit 23 HR, most in the majors…the Rays have increased their HR/G from 1.33 in the regular season to 1.77 in the postseason, but their R/G has dropped from 4.82 to 4.08. – Petco Park has seen 48 HR in 14 games this postseason…teams are 28-4 this postseason when they outhomer their opponent—but the Rays have won once when outhomered and lost twice when outhomering their opponent…Games 5-6 marked the first time the Rays lost back-to-back games when hitting 2 HR (or more) in each since July 16-18, 2019 at NYY (2), and first time in the postseason since the 2011 ALDS…the Rays are 5-2 this postseason when they outhomer their opponent and 5-3 when hitting 2 HR (or more), after going 20-2 and 20-4, respectively, during the regular season. – Last night was the first time the Rays lost a postseason game when scoring first since Game 4 of the 2013 ALDS vs. BOS (led 1-0, lost 3-1)…they fell to 5-1 this postseason when scoring first, after going a major-league-best 25-6 (.806) when doing so in the reg. season. THE LONG BALL—The Rays have allowed 21 HR this postseason, tied for most in the majors…76.2 pct. (16 of 21) of their homers allowed have been solo, and 61.7 pct. (29 of 47) of their runs allowed have come on homers… the Rays have allowed at least 1 HR in 12 consecutive postseason games, starting with Game 2 of the Wild Card Series vs. TOR…this is their longest such streak since July 27–Aug 10, 2019 (12) and is tied for the 5th-longest streak in postseason history, and longest since the 2016-17 Dodgers (18). – In the League Championship Series, the Rays have allowed four 1st-inning homers, one shy of their total from the 2008-19 postseasons combined…the four 1st-inning homers are tied for the 2ndmost allowed in a postseason series—the only team to allow five in a single series was the Red Sox in the 2008 ALCS vs. the Rays. – Combining regular season and postseason, the Rays have a majorleague-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. CHARLIE 2.0—Charlie Morton has made 3 apps (2 starts) in “winner take all” games, going 3-0 with a 0.64 ERA (14-IP, 2-R/1-ER) in them…he is the only pitcher in major league history to record the win in three “winner take all” games, winning the 2019 Wild Card Game at OAK, Game 7 of the 2017 World Series at LAD (with HOU) and Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS vs. NYY (with HOU)…in addition, his four career wins in potential elimination games are tied with five others for the most in major league history. – Morton and Lance McCullers Jr. both pitched in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series at LAD and Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS vs. NYY… according to the Elias Sports Bureau, they are the first duo in postseason history to pitch in the same “winner take all” game as teammates, then start against each other in a “winner take all” game. – Morton will become the first pitcher to start a Game 7 against a former team since NYY Roger Clemens in the 2003 ALCS vs. BOS. – Morton is unbeaten in his last eight postseason apps (7 starts) since Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS vs. NYY (with Houston), going 6-0 with a 1.67 ERA (37.2-IP, 7-ER) over that stretch…in Game 2 vs. HOU, he became the fifth pitcher in postseason history to start and win four straight decisions (with no relief apps in between) and allow 1 ER (or fewer) in each outing…he joined PHI/ARI Curt Schilling (5) in 1993–2001, NYY Masahiro Tanaka (4) in 2017-19, NYY Whitey Ford (4) in 1960-61 and NYG Christy Matthewson (4) in 1905-11. MAR-GOAT—Last night Manuel Margot became the first player in major league history to have a multi-HR game in the postseason after hitting 1 HR (or fewer) during the regular season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau…it was the sixth multi-HR game in Rays postseason history, first since Yandy Díaz in the 2019 AL Wild Card Game at OAK…Margot has 5 HR and 11 RBI this postseason, compared to 1 HR and 11 RBI during the regular season…since RBI became an official stat (1920), Margot and NYY Giancarlo Stanton in 2020 are the only players to record at least 10 RBI in the regular season and match or exceed their total in the postseason.
“WINNER TAKE ALL” GAMES, FRANCHISE HISTORY YEAR GAME FINAL WINNER LOSER ATT. 2020 ALDS Game 5 vs. NYY W, 2-1 Diego Castillo Aroldis Chapman — 2019 ALDS Game 5 at HOU L, 1-6 Gerrit Cole Tyler Glasnow 43,418 2019 AL Wild Card Game at OAK W, 5-1 Charlie Morton Sean Manaea 54,005 2013 AL Wild Card Game at CLE W, 4-0 Alex Cobb Danny Salazar 43,579 2013 AL Tiebreaker Game at TEX W, 5-2 David Price Martín Pérez 42,796 2010 ALDS Game 5 vs. TEX L, 1-5 Cliff Lee David Price 41,845 2008 ALCS Game 7 vs. BOS W, 3-1 Matt Garza Jon Lester 40,473
CHARLIE MORTON IN “WINNER TAKE ALL” GAMES YEAR TM. GAME FINAL MORTON’S FINAL LINE 2019 TB AL Wild Card Game at OAK W, 5-1 GS/W, 5-IP, 5-H, 1-R/0-ER, 3-BB, 4-SO 2017 HOU World Series Game 7 at LAD W, 5-1 W, 4-IP, 2-H, 1-R/ER, 1-BB, 4-SO 2017 HOU ALCS Game 7 vs. NYY W, 4-0 GS/W, 5-IP, 2-H, 0-R, 1-BB, 5-SO
TONIGHT’S GAME 7!: Houston is trying to become just the second team in MLB history to rally 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, just the fourth team, out of the 39, to force a Game 6 and are just the second team out of that group to force a Game 7…the only other team to force a Game 7 after being down 3-0 in a series was the 2004 Red Sox, who went on to win that Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees en route to a World Series title. ONE WIN AWAY: A win tonight would advance the Astros to their third World Series appearance in the last four years and their fourth in franchise history (2005, 2017, 2019)…the Astros lost the 2005 World Series in four games to the White Sox, defeated the Dodgers in seven games in 2017 and lost a nail-biter to the Nationals in seven games last season…the last team to advance to at least three World Series in a four-year span were the 1998-2001 Yankees, who made four straight Fall Classics, winning three. GAME 7 HISTORY: The Astros have played in a Game 7 four times in franchise history, going 2-2 in those contests…their wins both came in 2017, as they dispatched the Yankees in the ALCS and the Dodgers in the World Series…the losses are unfortunately just as memorable, in the 2004 ALCS to the Cardinals and in the 2019 World Series to the Nationals. SPEAKING OF GAME 7s: Tonight’s opposing starters will forever be linked together in Astros lore as the duo that started and closed both Game 7s in the 2017 Astros World Series run…they started it in the ALCS, in which RHP Charlie Morton (5IP) started and won, while RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (4IP) relieved him and earned the save…then in the World Series, McCullers (2.1IP) started, while Morton (4IP) relieved him for the win…per Elias, they are the first pair of players in postseason history to pitch in the same winner-take-all game as teammates and then later start against each other in a winner-take-all game. BIG GAME LANCE: RHP Lance McCullers Jr. has gone 1-1 with a save and a 2.93 ERA (14ER/43IP) in 13 career postseason apps. (six starts)…in those outings, he’s held opponents to a .201 average…McCullers started Game 2 of this series, tossing 7.0 innings, while fanning 11 and allowing four runs (one earned). STARTING STRONG: The pitching in this series has been incredible, headlined by the five Astros starters, which have combined for a 1.96 ERA (7ER/32IP)… they’ve posted 40 strikeouts in 32.0 innings pitched. POWER FIVE: Per Elias, 2B Jose Altuve, 3B Alex Bregman, SS Carlos Correa, 1B Yuli Gurriel and OF George Springer have played in more postseason games together than any other group of five teammates in MLB history (56 games)…Altuve and Correa have played 59 postseason games together in the field, the most by any 2B/SS duo in MLB history.
AT THE HELM: Dusty Baker is the first manager in MLB history to take five different teams to the postseason, also the Giants (1997, 2000, 2002), Cubs (2003), Reds (2010, 2012-13) and Nationals (2016-17)…Baker, who’s 31-36 all-time in the postseason, is in his third LCS as a manager, also reaching the NLCS with the Giants (2002) and Cubs (2003)…tonight will be Baker’s ninth career winner-take-all game as a manager, the most all time, breaking a tie with Bobby Cox. POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE: This is the Astros 14th appearance in the postseason in club history in what is the 59th year of the franchise that began in 1962…this group of Astros has won a postseason series in four straight seasons (2017-20), leading all MLB teams in postseason games (56) and wins (33) in that time frame…in both categories, the Astros top the Dodgers (46g, 27 wins) and Yankees (34g, 18 wins). GAME 6 WIN: The Astros forced a Game 7 with a 7-4 win last night over the Rays at Petco Park in San Diego…LHP Framber Valdez (1ER/6IP) earned his third win of the postseason, fanning nine in his 6.0 innings of work…the Astros did their damage in a four-run 5th inning, which included a go-ahead, two-run single by CF George Springer…SS Carlos Correa had another big game, going 3×5 with an RBI…RF Kyle Tucker connected for his first career postseason homer. RBI MACHINE: SS Carlos Correa is hitting .372 (16×43) and leads the club in homers (6), RBI (15) and OPS (1.285) this postseason…he’s upped his career postseason RBI total to 48, which are the most in club history, and rank tied for seventh in MLB history. ALL-TIME POSTSEASON RBI IN MLB HISTORY
Bernie Williams: 80 T4. David Ortiz: 61
Manny Ramirez: 78 6. Albert Pujols: 54
David Justice: 63 T7. Carlos Correa: 48 T4. Derek Jeter: 61 T7. Reggie Jackson: 48 HEAVY HITTERS: In Game 5, OF George Springer hit his 19th career postseason homer, which ranks tied for fourth in MLB history along with 1B Albert Pujols. ALL-TIME POSTSEASON HOMERS IN MLB HISTORY
Manny Ramirez: 29 T4. George Springer: 19
Bernie Williams: 22 T5. Jose Altuve: 18
Derek Jeter: 20 T5. Reggie Jackson: 18 T4. Albert Pujols: 19 T5. Mickey Mantle: 18 SECOND TO NONE: 2B Jose Altuve has been arguably the best second baseman in postseason history, as he leads that position in career postseason homers (18) and RBI (39), and ranks tied for first in hits (72), along with Roberto Alomar (72)…in his 2020 postseason, Altuve has hit .364 (16×44) with five homers, 11 RBI and a 1.250 OPS in his 12 games played.
RHP Lance McCullers Jr.
LAST START – ALCS GAME 2 at TB: had arguably the most dominant start of his postseason career, striking out a postseason career-high 11 batters over a postseason career-high 7.0 innings pitched…gave up 4 runs, but just 1 was earned…gave up 4 hits and no walks while receiving his first-career postseason loss in Houston’s 4-2 defeat. • his 11 punchouts ranked 6th in Astros history for a single postseason game, and marked the most by an Astros pitcher since Gerrit Cole’s 15-strikeout performance in Game 2 of the 2019 ALDS vs. TB. • joined Cole (2018 ALDS Game 2 vs. CLE, 12 K) as the only Astros pitchers to post 11+ strikeouts without walking a batter in a single postseason game. • became the 2nd pitcher in MLB history to suffer a loss in the postseason after allowing 1 run-or-fewer while fanning 11+ batters without a walk… the only other to do it was Brooklyn’s Don Newcombe in Game 1 of the 1949 World Series against the Yankees. BIG GAME LANCE: is making his 2nd-career start in a Game 7 of a postseason series, and his 3rd overall appearance. • has posted 1 save with a 0.00 ERA (0ER/6.1IP), 9 strikeouts, 1 walk and 4 hits allowed (0.79 WHIP) in his career pitching in Game 7. • will become the 1st Astros pitcher to make multiple Game 7 starts. • tonight will mark the 6th time in his career that he takes the mound with a chance to clinch a postseason series for Houston…in 5 appearances (2 starts) in potential series clinching games, has gone 0-0 with 1 save, a 2.16 ERA (4ER/16.2IP), 11 hits, 5 walks, 20 K’s, 0.96 WHIP. • was the starting pitcher in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium (0ER/2.1IP). • famously threw 24 straight curveballs to end Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS vs. NYY, recording the save with 4.0 shutout innings…was the 7th save of at least 4.0 innings in MLB postseason history, and the first since Madison Bumgarner’s save in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series… became the 1st pitcher in MLB history to strike out at least 6 batters in a postseason save. LANCE AND CHARLIE: tonight’s starting pitchers will join a group of 7 pitchers ever to appear in Game 7 of a postseason series at least 3 times. • that group consists of Roger Clemens, who made 4 Game 7 appearances in his career, and the following pitchers who all appeared in Game 7 on 3 occasions: Bob Turley, Mike Stanton, John Smoltz, Mariano Rivera, Felix Heredia and Bob Gibson. • McCullers Jr. and Morton both played prominent roles for Houston in Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS and Game 7 of the 2017 World Series… McCullers Jr. tossed a 4.0-inning save in Game 7 of the 2017 ALCS after Morton started the game with 5.0 innings of 1-run ball…McCullers Jr. then started Game 7 of the World Series (0ER/2.1IP), while Morton finished the game with 4.0 innings of 1-run relief to give Houston its first-ever World Series title. THE RETURN: has made a successful recovery from Tommy John surgery (Nov. 6, 2018)…made 11 starts for the Astros during the 2020 regular season, after missing all of 2019. • finished the 2020 season on a solid run…over his final 8 starts of the regular season, went 2-2 with a 2.18 ERA (10ER/41.1IP), 13 walks, 45 strikeouts and a .182 opponent average (26×143)