Dodgers stocked up for another World Series run
After two excruciating defeats in the World Series in 2017 and 2018, the Los Angeles Dodgers finally got over the line by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays to claim the crown. Dave Roberts’ men were outstanding to overcome their American League opponents, securing their first World Series since 1988.
The pressure was on Roberts after the two failures in the World Series along with a one-and-done exit from the post-season in 2019, suffering a 3-2 loss in the National League Divisional Series against the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers responded with a dominant regular season, winning 43 of their 60 games. It put them on the path to the World Series once again. On this occasion, Los Angeles had the clinical edge to beat out the Rays by a 4-2 margin, earning Roberts his first title as manager.
Given their dominance of the National League and the quality of their roster which is flooded with All-Stars, Roberts’ side is the leading contenders in the MLB odds on bet365 to repeat their success in 2021 at +200. The last team to win back-to-back titles came in 2000 when the New York Yankees triumphed for the third year in a row. No winning franchise has even made it back to the World Series in that time period, highlighting the challenge ahead of the Dodgers.
However, few teams have boasted the talent that Los Angeles has at their disposal. Perhaps the most significant move in the Dodgers ending their title drought was the trade deal that brought Mookie Betts to the club from the Boston Red Sox. Betts played a decisive role in Boston’s triumph over the Dodgers in 2018 – in a year that he was named the American League MVP.
It took time for the 27-year-old to settle into his role at his new team, although he still averaged .292 during the regular season. He upped the ante in the playoffs, striking two home runs, including one in game six of the World Series to guide his team over the line. Closing out victories had been a serious issue for Roberts and the company. The talent of Betts to effectively end the contest was worth the trade and the significant expense on his contract alone.
However, it was a player that played in previous defeats to the Red Sox and the Houston Astros that was named the MVP of the World Series. Corey Seager was nothing short of outstanding, averaging .400 against the Rays. After earning his second All-Star berth in 2017, Seager’s form dipped after suffering an injury in 2018. He bounced back to produce the form that was crucial in ending his side’s 32-year drought without the crown. There will be a level of expectation on Seager to kick on in the 2021 campaign.
No player deserved to win the World Series more than Clayton Kershaw. He had endured heartbreak in 2017 and 2018 when he failed to rise to the occasion for his team. Kershaw was clinical in his two starts in the World Series, winning both games with an ERA of only 2.31. The eight-time All-Star remains at the peak of his powers and will be the driving force of another charge towards the post-season in 2021.
The pitching ranks look potent heading into the next campaign with the rise of Julio Urias, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May in support of Kershaw on the roster. David Price should return to the fold to add additional experience, although he has been hit and miss throughout his career. No matter what version of Price appears, Roberts has a great deal of talent at his disposal that will carry his team towards another playoff tilt.
History is against the Dodgers from making a run at a second World Series title in a row. However, this roster is capable of great things and might be able to defy the odds.
