These guys went 0-5 last night. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)
After dropping the first game of the 2020 World Series on Tuesday, 8-3, the Tampa Bay Rays look to even things tonight with Blake Snell on the mound. The Rays were able to bounce back and win in the ALDS against the Yankees after being outscored 9-4 in game one. The Dodgers are the last team to lose the World Series after dropping the initial contest (2017).
Even though Kevin Kiermaier gave the Rays their first run of the Series on a solo shot to right (becoming the fourth player in franchise history to homer in the World Series), two worms reared their ugly heads again last night: deep counts by the starter led to a bevy of runs, and Tampa Bay couldn’t drive in runs with runners in scoring position; they went 2-5 wRISP last night.
Tyler Glasnow got the start and couldn’t keep the Dodgers down. That was due to six free passes. Over his first three frames, Glasnow allowed two walks and a hit while striking out five. However, in the fourth, Max Muncy started the frame by walking on five pitches, then moved into second when Will Smith bounced out slowly to third. Cody Bellinger followed with a two-run homer into the Rays bullpen for a two-run lead. Then in the fifth, Glasnow allowed two more runs on a walk, three stolen bases, and a pair of base hits. The right-hander gave up just three hits, although his six walks were the most he’s allowed with Tampa Bay. Otherwise, he fanned eight on 112 pitches (58 strikes, 52% strike rate, 17% SwStr%).
Snell, who has a history of deep counts and trying to be too nasty instead of forcing contact, will need to learn from Glasnow and limit the free passes. The left-hander is coming off a start against Houston where he gave up four walks in four-plus innings in game six of the Championship Series. Snell’s 12.5% walk rate this season was his highest since his rookie year of 2016.
The New What Next
Blake Snell (2-2, 3.20 ERA) will get the start in game two of the World Series, pitching opposite of Tony Gonsolin (0-1, 9.95 ERA)
Blake Snell allowed two earned runs on three hits and four walks while striking out four across four innings in game six of the ALCS. Snell was pulled having thrown just 82 pitches (45 strikes, 55% strike rate, 18% SwStr%) after allowing the first two batters of the fifth inning to reach base. He, however, was unsteady through the first four — allowing at least one baserunner in three — yet the only run charged to him came after he exited the game.
Tony Gonsolin made two appearances in the NLCS and gave up seven runs over 6-1/3 innings, while walking six, and striking out eight. He, however, has just a 2.60 ERA over his 87 MLB innings over the past two seasons. Gonsolin relies primarily on a 95 mph four-seam fastball and a whiffy 85 mph splitter with some slight arm-side fade, while also mixing in an 88 mph hard slider, and an 82 mph 12-6 curveball with exceptional bite.
You can read about the series in our preview while the starting lineup is below.
Rays 10/21/20 Starting Lineup
- Meadows DH
- Lowe 2B
- Arozarena LF
- Choi 1B
- Margot RF
- Wendle 3B
- Adames SS
- Kiermaier CF
- Zunino C