Tampa Bay’s Offense Has Kept World Series Hopes vs Los Angeles Alive

In the most thrilling game of the World Series yet, the Tampa Bay Rays scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to steal Game 4 from the Los Angeles Dodgers and to tie this series up at two games apiece. The Rays and Dodgers will battle for a crucial 3-2 series lead this Saturday night in Arlington.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Early action in Game 5 has leaned toward the Dodgers, moving Los Angeles from a -145 Sportsbook-line favorite up to a -156 favorite. Tampa Bay is now going off as a +146 underdog, virtually the same odds that the Rays were going off at (+145) in their upset win in Game 4. The total opened at 7.5 runs but has been bet up to eight runs.

Starting Pitchers Analysis

Clayton Kershaw was outstanding in Game 1 of the World Series allowing only two hits, one walk, and one run with eight strikeouts in six innings pitched. The Dodgers are now 3-1 in Kershaw’s four starts this postseason, and the veteran left-hander owns a tidy 2.88 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP in 25 playoff innings pitched.

Tyler Glasnow had his worst start of the 2020 season in Game 1 as he walked six batters and allowed three hits and six earned runs in just 4.1 innings pitched. Glasnow has allowed seven home runs this season and has an ugly 6.08 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 23.2 postseason innings pitched. The Rays are 0-2 in his last two starts since going 11-0 in his previous 11 starts.

Los Angeles News & Notes

The Dodgers finished the regular season with the best record (43-17), the best offense (5.82 runs per game) and the best team ERA in the majors (3.02). It’s difficult to find flaws on a team this good, but the bullpen is the one unit on the Dodgers that could be vulnerable. It was on Saturday night when it blew a solid start from Julio Urias by allowing six runs including two runs in the ninth inning on a wild game-ending sequence.

Sunday’s Game 5 will be the most important start of Clayton Kershaw’s career. How well he pitches and how deep he goes into the game could be the difference between a 3-2 series lead or deficit.

Tampa Bay News & Notes

Randy Arozarena went 3-for-4 in Game 4 with three runs, an RBI, and a walk. His RBI came on a fourth-inning home run that gave Tampa Bay its first run of the game and Arozarena the all-time record for most home runs in a single postseason with 10. As a team, the Rays had four home runs en route to their 8-7 victory on Saturday night.

Game 4 proved to be a rare instance in which Tampa Bay’s offense bailed out the pitching staff and bullpen instead of the other way around. The Rays are 19-0 in their last 19 games when scoring five runs or more including both of their wins so far in this World Series.

Betting Pick: Los Angeles -156

The Dodgers have the clear starting pitching advantage in this matchup. And despite Tampa Bay’s recent offensive outburst, Los Angeles still has the edge on offense, too. Look for the Dodgers to bounce back with a win on Saturday.