There was no certainty that the 2020 MLB season would be able to take place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but they were able to get through a 60-game regular season and expanded postseason with minimal issues, setting the stage for the World Series, which begins this week.
The annual Fall Classic gets underway Tuesday night and will take place in its entirety at Globe Life Field in Arlington. As was the case for the National League Championship Series, a limited number of fans will be let in the stadium.
There is a difference to the World Series compared to the rest of the postseason though as the format will be that of a regular year, meaning there are off days after Games 2 and 5. Even though teams don’t have to travel, the days off allows them to keep their pitchings in order compared to the Championship Series’ that were seven games in seven days.
Representing the American League will be the Tampa Bay Rays, who had the best regular-season record. They took care of business by sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in the Wild Card round but then needed five games to beat the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series and seven games for the Astros in the ALCS.
The Rays jumped out to a 3-0 series lead against the Astros before dropping the next three. They came through when it mattered though, earning the Game 7 win to advance to the World Series for the second time in franchise history.
The NLCS also required seven games between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers fell behind in Game 7 but battled back and are in the World Series for a third time in the past four years.
Rays vs. Dodgers World Series schedule
Game 1: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5:09 p.m. PT, Fox
Game 2: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5:08 p.m., Fox
Game 3: Friday, Oct. 23, 5:08 p.m., Fox
Game 4: Saturday, Oct. 24, 5:08 p.m., Fox
Game 5*: Sunday, Oct. 25, 5:08 p.m., Fox
Game 6*: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 5:08 p.m., Fox
Game 7*: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 5:09 p.m., Fox
*if necessary
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