Dodgers Cruise to Game 3 Victory Behind Buehler

After taking Thursday night off for the sake of MLB’s TV schedule, the World Series resumed on Friday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Unfortunately, the decision to close the stadium roof due to weather conditions while also allowing 11,000+ fans to attend could have created the perfect conditions for a COVID-19 superspreader event. We may see in a few weeks just how shortsighted it was for MLB to stage games in a jurisdiction with lax health and safety rules in order to generate gate revenues.

Coming into Friday’s action, the series was tied at 1-1. Two of the contenders’ only true starting pitchers were scheduled to take the mound, Walker Buehler of the Dodgers and Charlie Morton of the Rays.

Dodgers 6, Rays 2

Dodgers lead 2-1, best of 7

W: Buehler; L: Morton

Morton’s job was to eat innings, but he failed to keep the Rays in the game, allowing five runs on seven hits with six strikeouts over 4.1 IP. Buehler posted a record-setting quality start for LA. He allowed just one run on three hits in 6.0 IP, walking just one batter and striking out ten.

With his 10-strikeout performance tonight, @Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler became the first pitcher in #WorldSeries history to record double-digit strikeouts in no more than 6.0 innings pitched.

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) October 24, 2020

Walker F'n Buehler, Filthy 83mph Curveball. ?

10th K. pic.twitter.com/Dwd7Ik6PXt

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 24, 2020

Justin Turner opened the scoring for LA with a solo home run in the first inning, and the hit parade continued with rallies in the 3rd and 4th innings. Austin Barnes added another homer in the 6th inning.

The Rays got their first run on Willy Adames‘s double in the 5th inning. Randy Arozarena continued his sensational postseason performance with a solo dinger in the 9th inning, his 23rd hit of the 2020 playoffs, passing Derek Jeter‘s record for total hits in a single postseason by a rookie.

Randy Arozarena breaks Derek Jeter's record for the most hits by a rookie in one #postseason. #RaysUp #WorldSeries #MLB pic.twitter.com/YWroOlcH0v

— FOX Sports Sun: Rays (@FOXSportsRays) October 24, 2020

His 8th homer of the 2020 playoffs also tied the MLB record held by Barry Bonds (2002), Nelson Cruz (2011) and Carlos Beltrán (2004) for most home runs in a postseason campaign.

Game 4 kicks off from the Arlington Covid Barn at 8:08 PM ET tonight. Julio Urías (Postseason: 3-0; 0.56 ERA) will face Ryan Yarbrough (Postseason: 1-0; 3.38 ERA).

Featured Image: Store front sign in Wadsworth, Ohio of Buehler’s Groceries store with cars parked in front on a winter day by AProvchy / Shutterstock.com.