The Los Angeles Dodgers needed to stage a heroic comeback to beat the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS, but oddsmakers still like the National League champions to beat the Tampa Bay Rays, according to World Series odds released overnight.
The Dodgers came from behind to beat the Braves 4-3 in Game 7 of the NLCS on Sunday night, earning the team its third trip to the World Series in the past four years.
Dodgers Shut Down Atlanta to Complete NLCS Comeback
Atlanta took leads of 2-0 and 3-2 early in Game 7, but solo home runs by Enrique Hernandez in the sixth and Cody Bellinger in the seventh gave the Dodgers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“This was the first time we had our backs against the wall,†Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts told reporters. “All season we have been controlling games, controlling series and whatnot. Seemed like we were getting handled a bit early on. We were able to get a hold of everything and a hold of ourselves. Start to fight back, and it shows you the kind of group and type of guys we have.â€
The Braves scored all three of their runs on three hits over the first four innings. After Blake Treinen took the mound with two runners on and nobody out in the fourth, Dodgers pitchers held Atlanta hitless for the remainder of the game, surrendering only one walk.
| World Series Odds – Series Winner (via DraftKings Sportsbook) | |
| Los Angeles Dodgers: -200 | Tampa Bay Rays: +160 |
“We made some mistakes and shot ourselves in the foot a couple times and it really hurt,†Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters. “In games like these, runs are so hard to come by that you really have to play flawless baseball.â€
The Dodgers are now chasing their first World Series title since 1988.
“We never give up. This team never quits,†Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager said after the win. “We got down 3-1 [in the series] and we still expected to win.â€
Los Angeles Starts World Series as Consensus Favorite
The victory sets up a World Series between the teams with the two best records in MLB this year. The Dodgers put up a 43-17 mark during the regular season, with the Rays topping the American League at 40-20.
Los Angeles comes into the World Series as a -200 favorite over Tampa Bay (+160), according to DraftKings Sportsbook. Other oddsmakers offered almost identical odds across the board on Monday morning. The Dodgers have been among the leading title favorites throughout the season as they look to finally fulfill the promise they’ve shown over the past three seasons.
“The World Series is the World Series, no matter what year you get there,†Hernandez told reporters. “The past is in the past. This one feels super special because it is in front of us and it is happening. I am not going to take anything away from the other two, but this one is extremely special.â€
The Rays don’t own the rich history of the Dodgers. Tampa Bay has never won a World Series, appearing only once in 2008, when the team lost four games to one to the Philadelphia Phillies. Given how much the team has already accomplished this year, the Rays are heading into the 2020 World Series with plenty of confidence.
“If [fans] don’t know their names by now, they better learn them,†Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier said during the American League championship ceremony. “Because we’ve got some boys who can play.â€