Tuesday, October27, 2020, Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas, 8:08 p.m. ET
Rays at Dodgers Betting Preview: Rays (+125), Dodgers (-148)
Tampa Bay Rays
Left-hander Blake Snell will get the ball in Game 6 looking to repeat his nine-strikeout performance in Game 2 that ended in a Rays victory. The former Cy Young Award winner is 2-2 with a 3.33 ERA in five starts during the 2020 postseason. The only runs he allowed in Game 2 came on a Chris Taylor home run.
Since hitting two home runs in Game 2, Brandon Lowe is 1-for-12 over the past three games, although that one hit was another home run. Randy Arozarena has broken the all-time records for a single postseason in hits (27) and home runs (nine). He is 6-for-18 (.333) in the World Series.
The Rays will be facing elimination for the third time this postseason. They won Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees and defeated the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Rookie Tony Gonsolin will get the start, making his second appearance of the series. He made an abbreviated start in Game 2, collecting four outs while giving up a solo home run to Lowe. Walker Buehler is not available on short rest, manager Dave Roberts said, and would pitch again only if there is a Game 7.
Of Corey Seager’s eight home runs this postseason, two have come in the World Series. Seager is 8-for-17 (.471) through five games. Leadoff hitter Mookie Betts is just 5-for-22 (.227) in the series with five strikeouts, but he does have four stolen bases without getting caught.
The Dodgers have scored a first-inning run in three consecutive games and have hit multiple home runs in eight consecutive games, a postseason record. The Los Angeles bullpen has a 5.57 ERA in the World Series.
World Series Game 6 Betting Pick
As good as the Dodgers’ offense is, a confident left-hander who can change speeds and eye levels has the best chance of quieting those bats. Snell used that formula when the Rays won Game 2. He faced the entire Los Angeles lineup twice in Game 2 and opposed Betts and Seager three times before he was lifted.
Gonsolin gave up two home runs while walking seven in 46 2/3 regular-season innings and has given up three home runs and seven walks in 7 2/3 innings in the postseason. He ranked fourth in the majors with a 0.836 WHIP in the regular season among pitchers with 30-plus innings.
Rays at Dodgers Betting Pick:
Rays 4, Dodgers 3
World Series Game 6 Best Bet
Snell is the ideal pitcher to frustrate an explosive Los Angeles lineup, so the question is whether the Dodgers saw enough of the lefty in Game 2 to have a better game plan Tuesday. The sense is that even if the Dodgers win, Snell will keep his team close.
Rays at Dodgers Best Bet: RAYS +1.5 runs (-175)
–Field Level Media