World Series Prediction: Dodgers Win in 6 games

This is the year that the Dodgers finally break through and bring the World Series trophy back to Los Angeles. However it won’t be easy and here’s why:

Their opponent, the Tampa Bay Rays, possess a dominant starting rotation that includes Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and “Big Game” Charlie Morton. Of course we can’t forget about their “whole damn stable full of guys that throw 98 mph” that reside in their bullpen.

Altogether, Tampa Bay’s pitching staff has combined for a 3.36 Earned Run Average, 126 strikeouts and held opponents to a .243 batting average throughout the 2020 playoffs, per ESPN.

Yes, the Rays possess a plethora of powerful arms, but they can also do some damage with their bats. Tampa Bay led the MLB in home runs this post season with twenty-five, per ESPN.

Rookie phenom Randy Arozarena has slugged seven of those twenty-five home runs, en route to earning the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player. Arozarena is backed by Ji-Man Choi, Mike Zunino and Manuel Margot— all who have the ability to drive the ball out of the ballpark.

Now let’s focus on the Dodgers.

Los Angeles essentially has the “home-field advantage” this series as they have already familiarized themselves with Globe Life Field during the National League Division and Championship Series.

Regardless, it will be up to Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May to keep the young and explosive Tampa Bay offense in check early in games. Kershaw, who will start Game 1, has had plenty of playoff struggles throughout his illustrious career and it will be interesting to see if manager Dave Roberts lets the veteran left-hander pitch beyond four innings.

As for their bullpen, young left-hander Julio Urias showed grit in the National League Championship Series, Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol have been highly reliable and closer Kenley Jansen seems to have reverted to his old dominant self.

Throughout the playoffs, the Dodgers pitchers have accumulated a 3.36 ERA, 123 strikeouts and kept opponents to a mere .218 batting average, per ESPN.

Sure pitching is cool, but Los Angeles’ catalyst is their offense. The Dodgers rank in the top-five in the categories of batting average (.256), home runs (18) and runs batted in (66), per ESPN.

Led by National League Championship Series MVP Corey Seager and Mookie Betts, the Dodger offense is certainly capable of handling Tampa Bay’s pitching staff. Not to mention, Los Angeles has plenty of position player depth that can help with pinch-hit situations.

It’s also worth noting that Betts has accumulated a career .310 batting average, 16 home runs and 28 doubles against the Rays, per MLB Network. However, Betts will also need help from Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner and Max Muncy to help keep the pressure on the Rays’ pitching staff.

Both teams are evenly matched: power arms, strong lineup and smart managers. However, I believe the Dodgers have the slight edge over the Rays in terms of depth. Yet, it is important to note that in-series off-days will return during the World Series— a concept that was nonexistent during the playoffs. Therefore, it will be interesting to see how each manager handles their pitching staff.

I believe Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts will be able to manage his pitching staff well throughout the World Series and the Dodgers will grind out a World Series victory against the Rays and bring the trophy back to Los Angeles.

Inferno’s pick: Dodgers in 6.