The Los Angeles Dodgers have won their 3rd NL pennant in the past four seasons by defeating the Atlanta Braves 4-3 in Game 7 of the NLCS. The Dodgers were down 2-0 and 3-1 to the Braves in the series, but their experience prevailed.
Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was named the NLCS MVP. Seager went hit .310 (9 for 29) with 5 HR and 11 RBIs.
Although the World Series is familiar terrain to the Dodgers the franchise still hasn't won a World Series title since 1988. The Dodgers lost back to back World Series in 2017 and 2018 to the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox, respectively - both under controversial circumstances with the Astros and Red Sox embroiled in electronic sign stealing scandals.
The Dodgers will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series starting Tuesday under equitable conditions. This will mark the first World Series the teams with the best records in the AL and NL have faced off since the 2013 Fall Classic between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. It will also mark the first World Series that will be played in a single ballpark since the 1944 crosstown matchup between the St. Louis Browns and St. Louis Cardinals. As with the NLCS, the World Series will be played in its entirety at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas due to COVID-19 protocols.
One of these cities will win their second championship of 2020. Tampa Bay and Los Angeles have already won sports championships this year with the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup and the Lakers winning the NBA Final.
An interesting link between the Rays and Dodgers is Andrew Friedman. The current Dodgers President of Baseball Operations was previously the General Manager of the Rays from 2006-2014. Whether this gives the Dodgers the edge remains to be seen.
The Dodgers become the first NL team win reach the World Series in three out of four years since - the Dodgers who did so in 1963, 1965 and 1966. That edition of the Dodgers won it all in '63 and '65 but lost in '66. This edition of the Dodgers is still seeking their championship. Will they be stung by the Rays? Or will the third time be the charm?
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