Sports Time Radio

With 28 Major League Baseball teams working on their off season plan the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays are playing the World Series in Arlington Texas at the new home of the Texas Rangers; Globe Life Park. This is the first time in the history of baseball that the World Series is being played at a neutral site.

Game 1 was last night and the Dodgers had Clayton Kershaw ready to make the start while the Rays turned to Tyler Glasnow. Kershaw has been the best pitcher in baseball for probably the past 10 seasons, but he’s had his share of post season struggles and everyone really seems to like to talk about those.

Kershaw came into last nights start with a post season ERA of 4.22, but a struggle was the last thing Kershaw had last night. Kershaw threw 78 pitches over 6 innings for the Dodgers last night. He gave up 2 hits and one run while walking 1 and striking out 8. The only blemish on Kershaw’s start was a Kevin Kiermaier home run.

The Rays have had their offensive issues this post season and with Kershaw rolling along this led to an easy 8-3 Game 1 win for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the 4th inning when Cody Bellinger hit a two run home run to right centerfield.

Kiermaier cut the Dodgers lead in half in the top of the 5th inning when he hit a solo home run off of Kershaw to right field with two outs in the inning.

The Dodgers got that run back plus more in the bottom of the 5th inning. Mookie Betts walked and then stole second. Corey Seager also drew a walk to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Justin Turner struck out for the first out of the inning, but during his at bat Betts stole third while Seager stole second. Max Muncy grounded into a fielder choice scoring Betts and moving Seager to third. Will Smith singled in Seager and Muncy went to third on Smith’s hit. Ryan Yarbourgh was called out of the Rays bullpen and got Bellinger to pop out for the second out. Chris Taylor singled scoring Muncy while Smith advanced to second. Kiki Hernandez pinch hit for Joc Pedersen and singled scoring Smith and moving Taylor up to second, but Austin Barnes flied to left field for the final out of the inning. The Dodgers picked up 4 runs and3 hits in the inning and took a 6-1 lead.

Betts led off the bottom of the 6th inning with a solo home run to right field to give the Dodgers a 7-1 lead. Then Turner and Muncy hit back to back doubles with Muncy’s double driving Turner in to make it a 8-1 game.

Manuel Margot singled to centerfield with one out in the top of the 7th inning. Joey Wendle then followed with a double and Margot advanced to third. Mike Brosseau pinch hit for Ji-Man Choi and singled home Margot with Wendle moving up to third. Kiermaier then singled home Wendle while Brosseau moved up to second to make it an 8-3 game. Mike Zunino lined out back to the pitcher and Brosseau was doubled off of second base to end the Rays inning.

that was it for the scoring on the night as Pedro Baez worked a 1,2,3 8th inning for the Dodgers and Joe Kelly worked a 1,2,3 9th inning as the Dodgers took Game 1 by an 8-3 final score.

Kershaw got the win while Glasnow took the loss (L). Glasnow pitched 4 1/3rd inning. He gave up 6 runs on just 3 hits, but he walked 6, but he did strike out 8 while throwing 112 pitches.

Game 2 is tonight and Tampa Bay will send Blake Snell to the mound to make the start while Los Angeles counters with Tony Gonsolin.

Now Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already said that Game 2 will be a bullpen game; so who knows how long Gonsolin will actually pitch. The Dodgers used for relievers last night, but none of them threw more than 15 pitches; so the entire Dodgers bullpen should be available for Game 2.

Do you see the Dodgers taking a 2-0 lead in the series tonight or can Snell pitch the Rays back to a 1-1 even series?

Don’t forget to listen to the live edition of the Sports Time Radio podcast on BlogTalkRadio.com, but if you do happen to miss the podcast live just head on over to TuneIn.com and you can listen any time you want to.

Also look me up on Twitter @Burketime