Tampa Bay Rays: Five Takeaways from World Series Game 5

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The Tampa Bay Rays dugout during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

With a loss in game 5, Tampa Bay Rays need to win the last two games to win the World Series.

After the elation of Saturday night’s walk-off victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Tampa Bay Rays are on the verge of losing their second World Series appearance. The game was a much tighter affair than other games in the series as both teams looked to take a 3-2 series lead. In the end, the Dodgers got up 4-2, but the Rays will rue their slow start and missed opportunities.

Scoring was done by the top of the fifth inning as both sets of pitchers dominated in a highly pressurized game. Tyler Glasnow was caught early, again, as Mookie Betts and Corey Seager continue to haunt the Rays.

The Rays rallied in the 3rd inning, boosted by Randy Arozarena‘s record-breaking 27th postseason hit, before blowing a great opportunity to go ahead in the 4th. More about Manuel Margot‘s attempted steal later.

Here are five takeaways from Sunday night’s Game 5 in Arlington.

Rays’ Tyler Glasnow has not enjoyed his World Series appearances

In his mind, Glasnow would have imagined a 1-2-3 inning to start Game 5. However, Betts and Seagar had other ideas. In many ways, it was classic Dodgers baseball; take control and get ahead.

The 27-year-old pitcher looked visibly shaken as the fast-starting Dodgers got on the board early. In 9.1 IP, he has given up nine hits and 10 runs. Certainly not the return that both franchise and player would have even dreamed of.

It will be interesting to see how Glasnow responds to his World Series showing. It has been a chastening time for the pitcher, and he will be reflecting on what exactly went wrong. It was not all bad for Glasnow with 15 strikeouts in his two appearances but giving up runs early was detrimental to the Rays’ cause.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) tags out Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Manuel Margot (13) as Margot attempts to steal home during the fourth inning in game five of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Rays’ Manuel Margot was right to try and steal home

It was a gutsy play that fell short. Margot’s audacious attempt to steal home has been seen as reckless and the reason that the Rays lost. Neither are those are true.

Margot tried to steal home and the Dodgers weren't having it ?

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/WcA17CElA0
— ESPN (@espn) October 26, 2020

Margot came to the plate in the fourth inning looking to make something happen. He was trying to get his team ahead. Having seen Joey Wendle pop a ball up, and Willy Adames strikeout, Margot made the judgment call that stealing the base was the best way to get the game-tying run.

Hoping to catch Clayton Kershaw unawares during his windup, Margot set off for home. However, Max Muncy alerted Kershaw to the danger. The throw to catcher Austin Barnes was accurate, and the tag was made. It was a close call, and perhaps the Rays should have reviewed the play, but the out was given to end the inning.

The Rays’ batters went cold at the wrong time

Having hit so many home runs over the last few games, Game 4 was not the time to stop this streak. In such a tight game, a home run from one of the Rays batters would have been a game-changer.

Willie Adames is having a poor series with the bat. He’s in dire need of a hit, but one does not look likely. Brandon Lowe’s bat had gone cold again. Even the pinch hitters of Meadows and Tsutsugo are struggling.

Only red-hot Randy Arozarena and Kevin Kiermaier look likely to get hits when batting. Compare that to the Los Angeles Dodgers who are queuing up for hits, and it’s clear to see where the Rays could lose game six.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen (49) reacts after striking out Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Willy Adames (not pictured) to end the ninth inning of game five of the 2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. The Los Angeles Dodgers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Rays allowing the Dodgers to get ahead early is a bad thing

The Dodgers are a great team, so don’t allow them to get ahead. They love to dictate the pace of a game by getting runs on the board early. They love to bully teams, and giving up runs to them will cost you games.

Their body language changes massively when games are tied, or when they are behind. In Game 2, they were quiet and subdued. Compare that to Game 4, where they are up and about, exuding confidence to the point of arrogance. And why not when you are leading the World Series?

The Rays have to go about their own game; being busy and making things happen, but must not let the Dodgers get ahead in game six. They won’t lie down, but they will be under pressure, and we have seen what can happen when a clutch play is required.

The Rays’ World Series hopes are far from over

Some Tampa Bay Rays fans flooded social media with doom and gloom after dropping Game 5. It’s a premature attitude because the Rays are very much alive still.

Pitchers for Games 6 and 7 (if required) are Blake Snell and Charlie Morton. Snell is up against Dodgers’ SP Tony Gonsolin in a repeat of game two. If Snell prevails, we have a game seven and either team could win that. Look how Morton controlled game seven of ALCS to overcome the Astros.

Whether the Rays get their game seven will depend on the batters finding a way to get hits to create scoring chances. A RISP of .143 in game five is disappointing yet encouraging. It means that the opportunities were there but weren’t converted. If they do convert some chances, the World Series will still be alive come Wednesday night.

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