Tampa Bay Rays: 5 takeaways from Game 2 of the World Series

2 of 3

Tampa Bay Rays are on the board with a win in World Series Game 2.

The Tampa Bay Rays recovered from a heavy defeat in game one to tie the series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Arlington. A 6-4 win sees the series become a best-of-five from here. There was much to like about Wednesday night’s performance after a disappointing start in game one.

Everything that was wrong about Tuesday’s defeat was addressed: pitching was excellent, batters were less reliant on one big hit and the Rays’ defense was back on point.

For the Dodgers, they looked vulnerable in both pitching and batting. It was a marked contrast to their 8-3 win and their body language suggested that the series was very much alive. The Dodgers’ bullpen was exposed, by the Rays, and their star batters wilted under pressure.

Kevin Cash will be particularly pleased by the response of the entire Rays franchise. Also, his decision making was excellent after a less than inspiring opening game.

Despite having many things to like about game two, here are five takeaways for Rays fans.

Blake Snell pitched a great game for the Rays

After Tyler Glasnow’s less than impressive performance in game one, the pressure was on Snell to deliver in World Series Game 2. And didn’t he deliver? After four innings, the Dodgers were without a hit. Snell had resisted the likes of Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger and Corey Seager.

To highlight the success of Snell against the Dodgers, Stats Perform dug through the record books to find this comparison:

Pitchers with 8+ strikeouts and no hits allowed through 4 innings of a World Series game:

Sandy Koufax (1963 Game 1)
Blake Snell (tonight)@RaysBaseball #RaysUp
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) October 22, 2020

By the time that Snell was pulled after 4.2 innings, he had nine strikeouts and just two hits. Even though Chris Taylor’s two-run homer in the fifth tainted Snell’s figures, he had still pitched a great game.

Tampa Bay Rays pitchers walk to the bullpen before game two of the 2020 ALCS at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Rays win the battle of the bullpens

Perhaps the Dodgers were prepared for cycling through pitchers, but the execution was lacking as the Rays batters achieved ten hits in World Series Game 2. Starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin was soon out of the game, Brandon Lowe’s big homer in the first inning giving the Rays an early lead.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was forced into pitching changes and used seven pitchers. The Dodgers failed to stem the tide of hits, and runs, with Dustin May being particularly leaky. His 1.1 IP saw four hits and three runs before making way for Joe Kelly.

In contrast, the Rays pitchers gave up five hits in the game. Nick Anderson, Pete Fairbanks, Aaron Loup and Diego Castillo kept the Dodgers at bay. In game one, the Dodgers’ offense was rampant but game two was a different story. Corey Seagar blasted a homer on the 8th inning but it was too little, too late.

Rays’ runners on bases cause pressure

Tampa Bay has caused itself many offensive problems recently by not getting runners into play. Against the Astros in ALCS, it could have cost them the series. With Randy Arozarena in such hot form, it’s understandable while the Rays looked to hit their way out of trouble. However, such a tactic does not always pay off.

In World Series Game 2, the Rays seemed more content to get the ball into the gaps and get runners on bases. As they did, pressure built on the Dodgers’ defense. Kevin Cash will not mind if the Rays leave runners on bases because it means that his team is creating chances to score.

Moreover, runners on bases means that Dodgers’ pitchers are giving up hits and making Dave Roberts consider pitching changes. In game one, Clayton Kershaw gave up two hits in six innings. He is a class act and the Rays’ offense did not get started. If the Rays are to win the World Series, hits are doubly important.

Los Angeles Dodgers teammates watch from the dugout in the 9th inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game two of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Dodgers are getting inconsistent

Perhaps the pressure of expectation is starting to tell on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Having reached their third World Series in four years, the fan base will be expecting the team to take out the Fall Classic this time.

Furthermore, the Houston Astros will be asking themselves how the NLCS escaped their grasp. Having a 3-1 lead, the Dodgers found a way to win three straight games. Looking at the series, they scored 11 runs in the first inning of game three but then struggled in game four.

Even in the microcosm of the first two games of the World Series, the Dodgers have shown inconsistency. The argument is a double-edged sword, of course, but the Rays can exploit this growing inconsistency.

Rays’ Brandon Lowe is officially on fire

Lowe came into game two with a .107 average and just four postseason hits. Tony Gonsolin was the first pitcher to suffer, in the first inning, as Lowe launched a huge homer over left field.

It just got Lowe’d here pic.twitter.com/rxWuiK3uhr
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 22, 2020

Dustin May was Lowe’s second victim with another smite, but this time going over right field.

There’s a dawg in this house

There’s a dawg in this house

There’s a dawg in this house pic.twitter.com/A1IR9rymxl
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 22, 2020

For the embattled Lowe, it has released the pressure. For the Rays, it has taken the spotlight away from Randy Arozarena. For the Dodgers, they need to be ready for the dawg because he may be off his leash. Lowe may look back at World Series Game 2 as the point when he regained his form.

Home / Rays News