When Major League Baseball shut down, the season had not even started, which left fans wondering if there would ever be a season. After all, fans of the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association were able to watch at least the first half of their seasons.
According to an article by CBS Sports, the MLB intended to open the regular season for play on March 26. All thirty MLB teams agreed on this before COVID-19 swept the nation, an event unforeseen to many.
Eventually though, as our nation’s understanding of the virus increased, league officials decided that the league would reopen. In July, baseball was back in full swing.
As the modified regular season finished off and the playoffs began, certain teams began falling out of contention, whereas other teams shined. One team that was especially dominant throughout this stretch of time was the Tampa Bay Rays.
Per ESPN’s website, the Tampa Bay Rays stood atop the American League East Division with 40 wins and 20 losses over their 60 game season. With an incredibly tightened outfield of Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier and Manuel Margot, it is no surprise that they were able to defend as well as score.
Another team that battled through the regular season with great success was the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers, led by star pitcher Clayton Kershaw, boasted the most impressive regular season record with 43 wins and 17 losses, according to the Dodgers’ official ESPN page.
Unbeknownst to many, these two teams would end up going head to head in the 2020 World Series finals; it almost seems too predictable! Through the playoffs, the Rays and the Dodgers each edged out some incredibly talented teams.
According to the MLB’s official website, the Rays eliminated the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and reigning champions, the Houston Astros. The Dodgers sent home the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and ultimately, the Tampa Bay Rays.
Throughout all of the drama, restrictions and the ups and downs of the season, the Dodgers were able to secure their position as world champions. They capped off their series against the Rays by winning game six, which means that they won the series four games to two.
Los Angeles sports fans have only had about two weeks to celebrate the recent championship win of the Lakers of the NBA, because now it is the Dodgers turn in the spotlight. According to an article by ABC, this is the first time since 1988 that the Dodgers have been able to bring home the World Series. It is quite obvious that the parades around the streets of Los Angeles will be some of the most exciting.
According to Baseball Almanac, the Dodgers have made runs to the World Series in 2017 and 2018. Unfortunately, they lost both times, the first time to the Houston Astros and the second time to the Boston Red Sox.
It is incredible to see that this year, even though the league may not be the same as it was, the Dodgers were finally able to get the rings they have been chasing since 2017.
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