PSO Premium Review: 2020 MLB World Series

1. Mookie made the difference in the Dodgers 1st title in 30 years

Ever since calling up Yasiel Puig in 2013, LA has been one of the best teams in the NL, winning eight straight division titles and being one of the final two NL teams remaining in five of those seasons. However, this Dodgers team could never get over the hump after countless attempts. Whether it was Kershaw disappointing in October, Kenley Jansen blowing late leads, or Dave Roberts making poor decisions, LA always found a way to walk away short of the ultimate goal. 

This team no longer has Puig, but those three other characters along with Justin Turner, who have been through all those previous playoff failures, put it all together in this 2020 postseason. However, none of their efforts would’ve been good enough if it wasn’t for arguably the biggest MLB acquisition of all-time, Mookie Betts. The former MVP signed the largest contract in baseball history for good reason and earned every penny this year by putting together big hits, great defensive plays, and winning moves on the base paths that proved to be the difference for the Dodgers in Game 1, Game 6, LA’s NLCS 3-1 comeback, and this entire season. 

2. Blake Snell & Randy Arozarena carried the Rays in this series

As much credit deserves to be given to the Dodgers, the biggest story from this series, these playoffs, and this season was Kevin Cash pulling Blake Snell in the 6th inning of Game 6, despite him pitching five shutout innings, striking out 50% of the batters he faced, only allowing two hits, and not a single hard-hit ball (95+ MPH exit velocity). Immediately after getting yanked due to Cash’s desire to let other pitchers face this powerhouse lineup instead of Snell for a third time (as hitters naturally gain an advantage the more they see a pitcher’s full arsenal), Nick Anderson extended his dubious MLB postseason record for a RP of seven straight games allowing a run, despite his regular season dominance. 

Once the lead that Randy Arozarena single-handedly gave them with a solo shot was gone, everyone knew it was over for Tampa Bay. Their offense outside Arozarena was dreadful and their rotation trifecta didn’t live up to the billing in the World Series besides the former Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Arozarena and Snell played as well as anyone and put the team on their back for as long as they could, but ultimately a championship-winning team needs big contributions from more than just two players. 

3. Walker Buehler is the best postseason pitcher in the game

When the lights shine the brightest, Walker Buehler delivers his best stuff. The Dodgers young ace has proven time and time again that he brings his A-Game in the moments that matter most. Even during games that his team loses with him on the mound, it’s when he only allows one or two runs, but the offense fails to deliver. In Game 3, Buehler got all the run support he needed in the first three innings as he would only allow one run over six sensational innings. He finished in the midst of a historic 9-game playoff stretch (1.28 ERA) and owns a ridiculous 1.80 ERA over his 5 GS this postseason. That’s backed up by an impressive 2.35 ERA, 0.995 WHIP, and 12.2 K/9 over 11 career postseason starts. ‘Big Game Buehler’ proved again who’s the best postseason pitcher in the game right now. 

4. Clayton Kershaw finally can be considered this generation’s unquestioned GOAT

Many stories have been made of Clayton Kershaw’s past postseason struggles. The 3x Cy Young award winner has put together one of the greatest regular season resumes of all-time, but hasn’t been able to replicate that success in the playoffs…until now. The 32-year-old is finally limiting offenses as effectively as he has done during the season. Critics can make the point that with a 60-game season, these games would still be part of the first half in a usual year, but now that the Dodgers have finally won it all, Kershaw doesn’t have to worry about any of that as he sips champagne and receives congratulatory texts saying “way to go champ” as the all-time postseason strikeouts leader.  

5. The best moment of Brett Phillips career/life made Game 4 an instant classic

MLB World Series Game 4 was either going to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead, pretty much ending any chance the Rays had or give Tampa a 2-2 series tie, leaving it wide open in what would essentially become a 3-game series. LA got it down to the final out with Brett Phillips stepping up and the tying run in scoring position. Phillips needed to deliver the biggest moment of his baseball career or the Rays season would pretty much be over right there. 

The mid-season acquisition had the count down to his final strike (Since 2018, Phillips had a .090 batting AVG with 2 strikes, the 2nd lowest among all players [min. 150 AB]). Of course, the Randy Arozarena “Rakes All Day Night Year” sign holder came through with his own clutch moment to keep Tampa’s season alive, cement a legendary World Series moment, and ensure Rays fans remember the name “Brett Phillips” forever.