World Series Game 5 open thread

World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers at Tampa Bay Rays Game 5 (series tied 2-2)

8:08 PM, FOX

Down to their last strike, the Rays used a base hit up the middle and some help from the baseball gods to even the World Series at two games. It’s difficult to imagine a more chaotic ending than we saw last night, but nothing is out of the question this evening.

The Dodgers missed a golden opportunity to take a 3-1 lead and then hand the ball to their ace with a title on the line. Instead, Los Angeles will look to three-time Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw to regain control of the series.

Kershaw dazzled in a game one victory last Tuesday. The lefty allowed only two hits and one run in six strong innings before handing the game off to the bullpen. The victory marked Kershaw’s third win in four starts this postseason.

With all that’s been said about Kershaw’s playoff reputation, he holds a golden opportunity tonight. A pair of dominant starts and a Dodgers victory could lead to World Series MVP talk. But first things first, he needs the win tonight.

The Rays on the other hand will look to ride their momentum from one of the more bizarre walk-offs in World Series history. Tampa will send 27-year-old Tyler Glasnow to the hill in the pivotal game five matchup. Glasnow possesses staff ace stuff, but he’s struggled with consistency this postseason. He allowed six runs on only three hits in just 4.1 innings his last time out. Where did all the baserunners come from? Glasnow walked six (SIX!) LA batters.

Simply put, the Rays need Glasnow to buckle down or the bats to get to Kershaw. Neither is out of the question, but the Rays should be thrilled that the title is not on the line tonight.

Kershaw could have worked later into game one, but there was no need. With his arm fresh tonight, will Randy Arozarena and Co. be up to the task? Let’s find out.