I’m sure you’ll be surprised to hear that the LA Dodgers, a big budget team of superstars, have defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, a team with one of the lowest MLB payrolls.

This was the Dodgers third World Series appearance in four years, and their first championship win in thirty two.

Tampa’s ALCS MVP Randy Arozarena gave his team an early lead with an early home run. From there 2018 Cy Young winner Blake Snell took over. Snell had a strong start but, in a move that will no doubt haunt the Rays, was pulled in the sixth inning by manager Kevin Cash. Snell had only allowed two hits and was pitching shutout.

A superstar being pulled out of a game for seemingly no reason? Man, when has that ever happened before?

Oh yeah…. Photo credit

Snell said he felt “definitely disappointed, upset.” at the decision but also added that “I’m not going to question him (Cash), he’s a hell of a manager.”

Snell was replaced by Nick Anderson, who allowed a double from Mookie Betts. Betts’ double would start a sequence that led to two quick runs.

The surprises didn’t end there. Justin Turner was also removed mid game after his COVID results came back positive.

Justin Turner (Beard, backwards cap) sits with his team for the championship photo. Photo credit

Hm. Maybe it’s the angle but it doesn’t look like Turner is social distancing in that photo does it?

Turner is facing harsh criticism from baseball fans and the media. MLB put out a statement saying “While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk. When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply.”

Snell getting pulled early, a COVID positive Justin Turner celebrating with his team, the 2020 World Series will be remembered for making millions of fans scratch their head and say “What were they thinking?”