Dodgers vs Rays Odds, Lines, and Picks for World Series Game 3 – Buehler vs Morton
- Brandon Lowe and Joey Wendle each had three RBI in Game 2 as the Rays won 6-4
- With the series tied 1-1, Walker Buehler starts for the Dodgers against Charlie Morton
- First pitch for Game 3 is scheduled for 8:08 pm ET on Friday from Globe Life Field
After a disappointing Game 1, the Tampa Bay Rays came back in a big way.
Brandon Lowe smacked a pair of homers and drove in three for the Rays, and Blake Snell was dominant despite only lasting 4.2 innings. Snell carried a no-hitter into the fifth before a two-run blast from Chris Taylor ended his night.
With the World Series tied at 1-1, it’s a rare day off. Game 3 from Globe Life Park goes Friday, October 23rd at 8:08 pm ET.
Dodgers vs Rays Odds – Game 3
| Team | Moneyline | Runline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers (W. Buehler) | -154 | -1.5 (+106) | Over 7.5 (-108) |
| Tampa Bay Rays (B. Snell) | +134 | +1.5 (-124) | Under 7.5 (-112) |
Odds as of Oct 21st from FanDuel.
While the Dodgers retain their status as favorites, the books are expecting Game 3 to be a pitcher’s duel.
After the total went from 8.0 to 8.5 for Game 2, it’s dropped a whole run entering Game 3. That’s because Walker Buehler and Charlie Morton are coming off of dominant outings.
Buehler, Morton Set to Duel in Game 3
Of the three names atop the Dodgers’ pitching rotation, none is more talented than Buehler. And of the three names atop the Rays’ rotation, no one is more experienced in the postseason than Morton.
Buehler, Morton 2020 Postseason Comparison
| 4 | Starts | 3 |
| 3-1 | Record | 3-0 |
| 19.0 | Innings Pitched | 15.2 |
| 1.89 | ERA | 0.57 |
| 15 | Hits | 11 |
| 29 | Strikeouts | 17 |
| 11 | Walks | 4 |
| 1.37 | WHIP | 0.96 |
Buehler’s postseason for the Dodgers has been far better than his regular season. The final numbers hide his early struggles and on-again-off-again blister problem.
FINAL: Rays 6, Dodgers 4
Brandon Lowe found his swing and punished the Dodgers.
The vaunted Rays relievers bent but didn't break.
The World Series is tied. Game 3 is gonna be a whopper: Charlie Morton vs. Walker Buehler. Day off tomorrow, the good stuff on Friday.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 22, 2020
His starts lacked depth to open the postseason, but the Dodgers had no problem going to the bullpen. Walk problems in Game 1 aside, Buehler was great against the Braves. If he’s anywhere close to his Game 6 form, the Rays will struggle.
Morton is an interesting case because he’s not only dominant this postseason, but he’s faced the Dodgers in the World Series as well. In 2017 he struck out seven over 6.1 innings in Game 4, then struck out four in four innings of relief as he finished Game 7.
World Series experience, by total WS games played, entering 2020 World Series:
Dodgers roster: 123 games
Rays roster: 2 games (both by Charlie Morton)
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 20, 2020
He gave up two runs in his 10.1 innings.
Dodgers’ History Against Morton
Those two games are definitely ones Dodger hitters would love to forget.
There’s actually plenty of holdovers on LA’s roster from 2017. Seven hitters faced Morton in that World Series.
Dodgers vs Morton: 2017 World Series
| Player | H/AB | XBH | RBI | Runs | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cody Bellinger | 1/4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Joc Pederson | 0/3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Austin Barnes | 0/3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Taylor | 1/5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Corey Seager | 0/5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Justin Turner | 0/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kike Hernandez | 1/2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
This paints a pretty bleak picture for the Dodgers, but three years is a long time.
While some of these players have been pushed into reserve roles or regressed, Seager and Bellinger are better players now than they were three years ago.
LA will have to implement a similar game plan to the one from the NLCS and Game 1: take a lot of pitches. Morton has averaged 81 pitches over his last five playoff starts, never finishing the sixth inning. Morton’s last outing was his most dominant, so the Dodgers will have their hands full.
Rays Need an Encore From Lowe
Brandon Lowe woke up in a big way in Game 2.
The Rays have really made it this far in spite Lowe’s offense. In the 15 previous games he hit .107 with one home run and two RBI. That home run came a week before his massive Game 2.
Brandon Lowe and Joey Wendle of @RaysBaseball are the first set of teammates in World Series history to drive in 3+ runs each to account for all of their team's runs in a game.#RaysUp
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) October 22, 2020
His two home run, three RBI performance immediately challenges a Dodgers pitching staff that has eliminated Randy Arozarena through two games. It’s a welcome addition for Tampa.
Dodgers Seek Revenge Against Morton
This will not be a repeat of 2017.
The big difference on Wednesday was the fact that LA’s pitching couldn’t keep them in it. They trailed 5-0 entering the bottom of the fifth. That won’t happen with Walker Buehler.
Even if LA can’t piece much together offensively, the game will be close. And the Dodgers have shown they’re able to drive pitch counts, so they can chase Morton and get into the bullpen.
The Pick: Dodgers (-154)
Bryan has spent the last decade working in the sports industry. From the sidelines in the OHL and Rugby League to behind the scenes at TSN, Bryan has a wealth of experience with a soft spot for props and parlays.
