Once again, 2020 does a number on our numbers. The quick turnaround between the National League Championship Series and World Series – both bubbled deep in the heart of Arlington, Texas – doesn’t leave much room for the pregame hype. But we found some predictions from the major players. And 20 out of 30 think L.A. tops Tampa Bay in the rubber match for title town of 2020.
Scoreboard Page: Dodgers in 7. Let’s be honest: I went into this year rooting for the Dodgers. There can be no asterisk for a shortened season when there wasn’t one placed on the two teams they fell to that were implicated in cheating scandals. But it won’t be easy. The pull of the Rays is strong, but I think the Dodgers’ demons of the postseason get vanquished. It just seems to be their time – which is scary and might be the best case yet for the Rays. Writers can’t just hand a title over like they can an NBA MVP to Karl Malone “because he’s due.” Nope, you have to earn it on the field…
Unless you have a trash can. (Adios, Astros.)
Here’s what the other outlets are saying:
CBS Sports: Dodgers 5, Rays 1
Bleacher Report: Rays 1, Dodgers 0
Sports Illustrated: Dodgers 3, Rays 2
ESPN: Dodgers 10, Rays 5
The Athletic: Dodgers 1, Rays 0
Fox Sports: Rays 1, Dodgers 0