0
0
The last week in MLB was about a team from each league advancing to the World Series and the league setting the 2021 draft order.
Charlie Morton Sends Tampa Bay Rays to World Series
#WorldSeries bound. pic.twitter.com/vw1Ouiov3P
— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2020
You’re all welcome pic.twitter.com/1789mXigM6
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 18, 2020
It wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty
But your Tampa Bay Rays are American League Champions pic.twitter.com/EjeBy2hsT8
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) October 18, 2020
The Tampa Bay Rays are back in the World Series as starting pitcher Charlie Morton was solid on the mound, and the lineup provided ample run support.
The final out to clinch the AL Pennant! Go crazy @RaysBaseball, you are going to the World Series! pic.twitter.com/WV05oETeOB
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 18, 2020
They defeated the Houston Astros 4-2 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series Saturday night to advance to the Fall Classic for only the second time in franchise history, per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.
The #Rays are your American League champions, going to the World Series for the second time in franchise history
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 18, 2020
Morton fired five, and two-thirds scoreless innings yielded just two hits, and compiled six strikeouts.
The lineup gave Morton an early lead as outfielder Randy Arozarena, and catcher Mike Zunino hit solo home runs in the first inning facing Astros’ starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr.
Arozarena has been a one-person wrecking crew for the Rays during the postseason.
The outfielder crushed four home runs during the ALCS to win the ALCS MVP and became the youngest position player to ever win the award, per MLB.
Rakes All Night Day Year.
The first rookie position player to EVER win LCS MVP.
(MLB x @chevrolet) pic.twitter.com/v8Gs6VhrZC
— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2020
Arozarena has hit seven home runs in the postseason, and only Nelson Cruz (2011), Carlos Beltran (2004), and Barry Bonds (2002) have hit more with eight each, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
Time to look past rookie records…
Randy Arozarena has 7 HR this postseason
Only players with more in a single postseason:
2011 Nelson Cruz
2004 Carlos Beltrán
2002 Barry Bonds…with 8 each
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 18, 2020
Morton has been a critical factor in the Rays achieving success in the postseason.
He has a 4-0 record and 0.46 ERA in winner-take-all postseason games, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
Charlie Morton in winner-take-all postseason games:
Record: 4-0
ERA: 0.46Incredible. Great point by Ron Darling just now on TBS. @MLBNetwork @RaysBaseball @MLBStats @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 18, 2020
Morton’s four wins in winner-take-all playoff games are twice as many as any other pitcher in MLB history, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Charlie Morton now has 4 wins in winner-take-all playoff games, twice as many as any other pitcher in MLB history.
The Rays ranked 28th in Opening Day payroll. They're the first team to make the WS with an Opening Day payroll ranked 28th or lower since…the 2008 Rays (29th). pic.twitter.com/RAzhleRK1L
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 18, 2020
The ALCS between the Rays and Astros was entertaining and strange at the same time.
The Rays were the best team in the first three games, but the Astros showed resolve to win the next three games to force a Game 7.
The Rays are in the World Series for the first time since 2008, and they have a good chance of emerging as champions given the way the team is built.
Cody Bellinger Propels Los Angeles Dodgers to World Series
For the 3rd time in 4 years, the @Dodgers are NL Champs! #CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/0g1GoS9AIa
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2020
The Los Angeles Dodgers completed a significant comeback in the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves, thanks to outfielder Cody Bellinger and are going to the World Series.
The Dodgers won Game 7 last night 4-3 as Bellinger hit a tie-breaking home run in the seventh to give them the lead.
CODY. BELLINGER. CRUSHED.
The @Dodgers take a Game 7 lead. 😱 #NLCS pic.twitter.com/Nd5WQFtypu
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2020
Dodgers’ reliever Julio Urias earned the victory as he fired three scoreless innings and did not allow a hit.
Comeback complete. LA is in the #WorldSeries again. #CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/gLezaZnK7Z
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2020
The Dodgers are in the World Series for the third time in four years, but it was not easy.
The @Dodgers are NL CHAMPS for the third time in four years! pic.twitter.com/svUfiEwUZY
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 19, 2020
They trailed the Braves 3-1 in the NLCS but showed resiliency in winning the series and advancing to the World Series.
Shortstop Corey Seager was selected as NLCS MVP as he was brilliant, posting a .310 batting average with five home runs and 11 RBIs, per MLB.
Corey was crushin'.
Your #NLCS MVP is @coreyseager_5.
(MLB x @chevrolet) pic.twitter.com/QZaZw3UDeP
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2020
Bellinger’s home run is the fifth go-ahead homer in the seventh inning or later of a Game 7 in the Wild Card Era, per MLB Stats.
Cody Bellinger’s HR is the 5th go-ahead HR in the 7th inning or later of a Game 7 in the Wild Card Era, joining Howie Kendrick (WS 2019), Yadier Molina (2006 NLCS), Aaron Boone (2003 ALCS) and Alfonso Soriano (2001 WS). pic.twitter.com/qQ1g6iUA4N
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 19, 2020
Urias joins Pedro Martinez (1999 ALDS Game 5) as the second pitcher to throw three or more innings to finish a winner-take-all game win and not allow a hit, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
3+ IP to finish winner-take-all game win, did not allow a hit:
2020 NLCS Game 7 Julio Urías
1999 ALDS Game 5 Pedro MartínezUrías is the 1st pitcher with an outing of 3+ perfect innings in a winner-take-all game
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 19, 2020
The Dodgers will face the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series.
The 2020 World Series is set! 🏆
We’ll see you in Texas! pic.twitter.com/K3pP7wyZF5
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 19, 2020
The top seeds will meet in the #WorldSeries.
Can't wait for Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/1uh6m0WLHZ
— MLB (@MLB) October 19, 2020
This marks the fourth time the teams with the best record in each league have faced each other in the World Series in the Wild Card Era, per MLB Stats.
With the @Dodgers and @RaysBaseball, it will be the 4th time the teams with the best record in each league have faced each other in the World Series in the Wild Card Era.
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 19, 2020
MLB Sets 2021 Draft Order
Major League Baseball has set the 2021 draft order with the Pittsburgh Pirates on the clock.
A part of the March agreement following the league being suspended due to COVID-19 gave commissioner Rob Manfred the power to change the 2021 draft.
However, there was no need for modification as MLB was able to complete its abbreviated regular season.
The Pirates, who finished the 2020 campaign with the worst winning percentage at .317, have the first draft selection.
This marks the fifth time they have the top pick in the draft and the first occurrence since 2011 when they selected Gerrit Cole.
The Pirates join the San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, and New York Mets as the only clubs to have the No. 1 pick five times, per Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic.
The rest of the top five after the Pirates will be the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles.
The 2021 MLB Draft will be moved from its typically early June date to July 11, in conjunction with the All-Star Game in Atlanta.
The 2020 draft was reduced from 40 rounds to five rounds.
However, the 2021 draft will have between 20 to 30 rounds, per a report last month by Keith Law of The Athletic.
The Pirates have many needs, but they will probably draft a collegiate arm to anchor their future rotation.
Author Profile
- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
Latest entries
MLBOctober 16, 2023MLB Weekly Digest October 16th Edition: Milwaukee Brewers Starting Pitcher Brandon Woodruff Underwent Shoulder Surgery
MLBOctober 9, 2023MLB Weekly Digest October 9th Edition: Miami Marlins Starting Pitcher Sandy Alcantara Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
MLBOctober 2, 2023MLB Weekly Digest October 2nd Edition: Baltimore Orioles Reliever Felix Bautista Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
MLBSeptember 25, 2023MLB Weekly Digest September 25th Edition: Miami Marlins Starting Pitcher Sandy Alcantara Out for Season with UCL Injury