LHP Blake Snell (2-2, 3.20) vs. RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 9.95)
Wednesday, October 21, 2020 | 7:08 p.m. CT | Globe Life Field | Arlington, TX
World Series – Game 2 (Dodgers Up 1-0)
TV: FOX | Radio: AM 570 (Eng.); 1020 AM (Span.), ESPN Radio, AM 1540 (Kor.)
The Tampa Bay Rays need to get themselves on the board tonight, otherwise they may dig themselves a hole too big to climb out of. While Tampa is a great team, it would be hard to see them win four out of the next five games if they were to lose tonight.
In Game 1, the Dodgers simply looked like the better team, as Mookie Betts helped led L.A. to the convincing 8-3 victory. Clayton Kershaw put some of the chatter of his postseason shortcomings to rest with a strong start in which he allowed just one run over six innings pitched.
The Rays did get some runs off the Dodgers bullpen late, scoring two runs in the seventh inning before a line drive double play cut their rally short. Still, playing from behind isn’t the best strategy for the Rays if they want to even up the series.
With Walker Buehler still only on three days rest, the Dodgers will turn to Tony Gonsolin, who last pitched two innings on Sunday. Gonsolin allowed seven runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched during the NLCS, but did have a strong regular season for the Dodgers, where he pitched to a 2.31 ERA.
For the Rays they will turn to their former Cy Young winner, as Blake Snell takes the ball. The 27-year-old allowed three runs across nine innings pitched in the ALCS against the Houston Astros.
Snell has not recorded an out in sixth inning since his start in the Wild Card round against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Rays Lineup
- Austin Meadows – DH
- Brandon Lowe – 2B
- Randy Arozarena – LF
- Ji-Man Choi – 1B
- Manuel Margot – RF
- Joey Wendle – 3B
- Willy Adames – SS
- Kevin Kiermaier – CF
- Mike Zunino – C
Dodgers Lineup
- Mookie Betts – RF
- Corey Seager – SS
- Justin Turner – 3B
- Max Muncy – 1B
- Will Smith – C
- Cody Bellinger – CF
- AJ Pollack – DH
- Kiké Hernández – 2B
- Chris Taylor – LF
Game Notes
For the first time this postseason there will be an off day in the middle of a series, as no game will be played tomorrow night. This should set up a matchup in Game 3 of Walker Buehler vs. Charlie Morton.
