After a wild game 4 comeback, Rays tie the World Series at two games each. Thus, we will have at least 6 WS games and this series is going long. We will see Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow pitch in game 5 and try to help their teams to lead in the World Series. Since there will be at least 2 more games in the World Series, what should we expect in the upcoming games?
After 4 games, the Dodgers are leading in hitting. They scored more runs the Rays did. The Dodgers collected more RBI and drew more walks. Also, they successfully stole bases 5 times. Meanwhile, they posted a batting average of .282 and an OPS of .895, both are higher than the Rays. Global Life Field is a huge ballpark, but both teams can crush home runs. The Dodgers already have 9 homers and the Rays have 8 homers. In total, the Rays have already hit 33 home runs in the postseason and the Dodgers have 27 homers. The Dodgers are better at hitting, but the Rays still score by hitting home runs.
So far, it’s not an easy series for two team’s pitchers. Both teams posted an ERA over 4. However, Dodgers pitchers have a better WHIP with 1.15, compared to Rays’ 1.66 WHIP. Meanwhile, Dodgers hitters are more patient to make Rays pitchers work more per inning. But Rays relievers collect 1 save and 3 holds so far.
When we look at bullpen performance, it seems that Rays’ bullpen is probably slightly better than the Dodgers bullpen. Both teams heavily rely on bullpens. Rays relievers already threw 18.1 innings and Dodgers relievers threw 17.2 innings. The Dodgers relievers allowed more earned runs in these 4 games. However, the Dodgers bullpen posted a WHIP of 1.53, slightly lower than Rays’ 1.58. Nonetheless, Rays relievers threw more strikeouts and gave up fewer walks.
Look at player performance. Brandon Lowe actually struggles in this postseason, however, he has 3 hits so far in the World Series, all are home runs. Randy Arozarena stays hot in this postseason and already has 2 home runs so far. Kevin Kiermaier also crushes two homers in 4 games. In the Dodgers, Corey Seager and Justin Turner each already blasted two homers.
Justin Turner and Corey Seager both are hot in the World Series. Justin Turner already has 8 hits while Seager has 7. Randy Arozarena is still the hottest hitter in the Rays lineup with 5 hits so far. Max Muncy also has 5 hits.
Brandon Lowe only has 3 hits, but those hits are all homers and Lowe collects 6 RBI. Those homers are what the Rays need. Max Muncy does not have a home run so far, however, he already collected 5 RBI for the Dodgers. Kiermaier, Seager, Taylor and Wendle each have 3 RBI.
Walker Buehler is dominant. He threw 10 strikeouts in game 3 and Rays hitters had no idea how to hit against Buehler. Blake Snell and Urias each threw 9 strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Clayton Kershaw and Tyler Glasnow each threw 8 strikeouts in game 1. Are they going to generate more strikeouts in game 5?
Rays’ John Curtiss has tossed 3.1 innings so far and he has already gone on the mound three times. Pedro Baez, Nick Anderson, Josh Fleming and Pete Fairbanks each threw 2.2 innings so far. We will probably see them on the mound again and again in the World Series.
Series tied at 2-2. Tampa Bay Rays did not give up and their game plan works. They are not a good hitting team, but some long shots already help them do damage. The Los Angeles Dodgers would like to win the first World Series Champions since 1988. They hit well in this series, in particular, they hit .400 with two-outs. However, bullpen usage will probably be the deciding factor in this World Series. How to make good pitching changes will test two good managers. Whose swing will change the game? Who will be dominant on the mound? Which team will lift the trophy? We will know in a few days.
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