Tampa Bay Rays: Five Takeaways from World Series Game 5

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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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