Rays sting Dodgers in Game Two

Lining up the 2020 World Series, it was billed as Tampa Bay's shutdown pitching against LA's potent batting.

Last night, we saw some of that pitching. Blake Snell no-hit the Dodgers into the fifth inning before surrendering a two-run dinger to Chris Taylor.

Will Smith added a solo shot in the sixth inning and Corey Seager went yard in the eighth as LA pulled to within two at 6-4.

Tampa Bay relievers Nick Anderson, Peter Fairbanks, Aaron Loup, and Diego Castillo showcased the Rays' deep pen and shut down LA's comeback. 

Here are my takeaways:

• Tampa Bay does have the edge in pitching, both with starters and relievers.
• The Dodgers have the bats. They scored eight runs in Game One and four runs in Game Two.
• Friday's Game Three, Walker Buehler vs. Charlie Morton, should be a good one. Morton is 3-0 in the postseason with an 0.57 ERA and Buehler is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA.
• Tampa Bay got some timely hitting against a depleted LA pitching staff in Game Two. Dustin May got lit up for three runs on four hits in an inning of work and Tampa Bay's Brandon Lowe came out of a deep slump with two homers.

The winner of the World Series will wear the crown because of depth. Either LA's deep batting order or Tampa Bay's deep rotation and bullpen will be the determining factors.

The Dodgers, who do not strike out often, whiffed 15 times in Game Two, nine of those coming against Snell. 

Mookie Betts, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, and Cody Bellinger went a combined 1-for-13 in Game Two. That will have to change if LA hopes to win Game Three.