While 2020 has brought the unexpected at every turn, one thing that did turn out correctly was the World Series matchup. The two top teams during the truncated MLB regular season will be battling it out for the championship.
This year's battle of the best is just the fourth such matchup since 1995, which was the first year with a World Series following MLB's realignment into three divisions in each league. It pits the Dodgers, who had MLB's best record at 43-17, against a Rays team that went 40-20 to sit atop the American League. Each team had to go the distance in the LCS, winning in a Game 7 to advance. Los Angeles came back from a 3-1 series deficit to send the Braves home while the Rays eclipsed the Astros.
This matchup also sees a team with one of the majors' heftiest payrolls facing off against a team that had one of the smallest.
It has been 32 years since the Dodgers last won the World Series — back when Kirk Gibson hobbled around the bases after hitting his walk-off home run in Game 1; however, this is the third time in four years that they'll have a chance to claim the top spot. Tampa Bay returns to the Fall Classic after losing in 2008 to the Phillies in five games.
The Rays have some Blue Jays connections on their roster and staff. Relief pitcher Aaron Loup pitched seven seasons for Toronto (2012-18), posting a 3.47 ERA and striking out 297 in 318 2/3 innings. The Jays drafted him in the ninth round in 2009. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash manned the plate for the Blue Jays for 101 games from 2002-04 before being traded to the then-Devil Rays during the 2004 Winter Meetings. Cash's hitting coach, Chad Mottola, had 25 at-bats as a Jay over two stints, in 2000 and 2006. He collected six hits and knocked in two.
Here's everything you need to know to watch the 2020 World Series.
Where is the 2020 World Series being played?
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's World Series will be situated in one ballpark — Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. A limited number of tickets were sold to the public; 11,500 spectators (10,550 in the stadium and 950 for suites) will be allowed into the stadium for each game.
What is the Rays vs. Dodgers schedule, TV channel?
The World Series between the Rays and Dodgers will air on Sportsnet and SN1. Games will start at 8:08 p.m. ET or 8:09 p.m. ET. The Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw and the Rays' Tyler Glasnow will get the ball in Game 1.
(All times Eastern)
| GAME | DATE | START TIME | TV CHANNEL |
| 1 | Tue. Oct. 20 | 8:09 p.m. | SN, SN1 |
| 2 | Wed., Oct. 21 | 8:08 p.m. | SN, SN1 |
| 3 | Fri., Oct. 23 | 8:08 p.m. | SN, SN1 |
| 4 | Sat., Oct. 24 | 8:08 p.m. | SN, SN1 |
| 5* | Sun., Oct. 25 | 8:08 p.m. | SN, SN1 |
| 6* | Tue., Oct. 27 | 8:08 p.m. | SN, SN1 |
| 7* | Wed., Oct. 28 | 8:09 p.m. | SN, SN1 |
* If necessary
What is the MLB Playoff bracket?
