Gamethread: Rays vs. Dodgers, World Series Game 1

A cap and glove belonging to Brendan McKay #49 of the Tampa Bay Rays during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 18, 2019 in Los Angeles. The Rays won in the 11th inning, 8-7. | Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images

Tampa is less of an underdog than you think, in more ways than one

Well, here we go. It’s a tight series that isn’t really as defined by David vs. Goliath as you think. I don’t have the source at my fingertips, but if you judge payroll against team value rather than just sheer payroll, the Dodgers don’t “outspend” the Rays as much as you think.

Anyway, here we go, time to play the Andrew Friedman Series!

The Rays line up with rookie sensation Randy Arozarena batting third. This is one unconventional club!

MLB.com

For the Dodgers, it’s a few more well-known names roaming the batter’s box. Betts and Seager batting 1-2, holy moses:

MLB.com

And here’s the schedule for the series, with days off after Games 2 and 5. NOTE: Times below are Eastern.

MLB.com