40 wins in the regular season and nine more in the playoffs: that's what the Tampa Bay Rays have been able to accomplish so far this year.
But just four more wins would really make this a season for the ages.
Tampa Bay has proven time and time again this season that they know how to win, with manager Kevin Cash plugging in the right pieces at the right time and everyone on the team contributing in big spots.
The lineup is seemingly unknown to the casual fan, but if you've been paying attention you've seen Randy Arozarena's breakout playoff performance that secured him ALCS MVP, you've seen Mike Zunino's big home runs, you've seen clutch pitching in big situations from the likes of Diego Castillo, Nick Anderson, Pete Fairbanks and more.
The Rays had the second-best record in the big leagues this season, behind just one team: the only team standing between Tampa Bay and their first World Series trophy.
The Los Angeles Dodgers won their division with 43 wins and for the third time in four years find themselves in the World Series. In 2017, they lost to the Astros, in what now feels like a somewhat tainted title considering the cheating scandal that later came out from Houston. In 2018 the Dodgers were back, but lost in five games to the Boston Red Sox in the Fall Classic. After a disappointing first-round exit to the eventual World Series champion Washington Nationals last season, L.A. is once again back on baseball's biggest stage in 2020.
The Rays are searching for their first World Series title in franchise history, while the Dodgers are on the hunt for their sixth, and first since 1988.
This will be the first time these teams have seen each other since September of 2019.
With Game 1 on Tuesday night, both teams will turn to their aces: veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw takes the hill for L.A. and Tyler Glasnow gets the call for Tampa Bay.
The Rays have won 11 of the last 12 games Glasnow has started, with the only loss coming last Wednesday to the Astros. The Dodgers meanwhile have won 10 of the last 12 Kershaw has started, but he too lost his last start on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves.
First pitch Tuesday is at 8:09 p.m., and unlike the rest of the playoffs, there will be off days built into the schedule:
Game 1: Tuesday, 10/20 at 8:09 p.m.Game 2: Wednesday, 10/21 at 8:08 p.m.Game 3: Friday, 10/23 at 8:08 p.m.Game 4: Saturday, 10/24 at 8:08 p.m.*Game 5: Sunday, 10/25 at 8:08 p.m.*Game 6: Tuesday, 10/27 at 8:08 p.m.*Game 7: Wednesday, 10/28 at 8:09 p.m.*if necessary
