The 2020 MLB season was a roller coaster after many thought it wouldn’t happen altogether due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
They were able to get 60 regular-season games and an expanded postseason, and it has led to the teams with the best records, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays, meeting in the World Series this week at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
Rosters for both teams were announced Tuesday morning ahead of Game 1, and to no surprise, the Dodgers didn’t make any changes to their 28-man roster from the National League Championship Series.
The Rays, on the other hand, made a pair of adjustments to their roster by taking off relief pitchers Aaron Slegers and Jose Alvarado, and adding outfielder Brett Phillips and left-handed reliever Ryan Sheriff.
While the Dodgers have bulked up on pitching the postseason, carrying 15 in each of the last two rounds, the Rays went the opposite direction, going from 14 pitchers in the American League Championship Series to 13 in the World Series.
Perhaps that had to do with the fact that there will be off days after Games 2 and 5 in the World Series, which hadn’t been the case in any of the previous rounds.
Getting the start for the Rays in Game 1 is hard-throwing right-hander Tyler Glasnow, and he will be opposed by Clayton Kershaw. Tampa Bay will then go to lefty Blake Snell in Game 2 followed by righty Charlie Morton in Game 3.
The Rays are similar to the Dodgers in that they value depth, so it is possible that all 28 of their players make some sort of impact in the World Series.
Rays postseason roster for World Series (listed alphabetically in roles players held during regular season)
Starting pitchers: Tyler Glasnow, Charlie Morton, Blake Snell, Ryan Yarbrough
Relief pitchers: Nick Anderson, Diego Castillo, John Curtiss, Pete Fairbanks, Josh Fleming, Aaron Loup, Shan Mclanahan, Ryan Sherriff, Ryan Thompson
Catchers: Michael Perez, Mike Zunino
Infielders: Willy Adames, Mike Brosseau, Ji-Man Choi, Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, Joey Wendle
Outfielders: Randy Arozarena, Kevin Kiermaier, Manuel Margot, Austin Meadows, Brett Phillips, Hunter Renfroe, Yoshi Tsutsugo
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