Game 6 of the 2020 World Series Review: Worst Decision in Major League Baseball History

Madelyn Bowling-Garcia, Staff Writer

On October 27th 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays played game six of the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series 2020. Arriving at the Globe of Life in Arlington Texas, the Dodgers were hoping to obtain the win to finish the series as champions, while the Rays battled to keep the series alive. 

Los Angeles Dodgers had a strong regular season. Placing first in the National League (NL) West. With 43 wins and only 17 loses under their belt, making it to the World Series was well in their grasp. 

In the postseason, Dodgers successfully beat the Milwaukee Brewers with a 2-0 win, the San Diego Padres with a 3-0 win, and the Atlanta Braves 4-3. 

In the past 3 years, the team has made a total of two World Series appearances. In 2017, facing off and eventually losing to the Houston Astros. The following year, returning back to the World Series finalists, but giving up to the Boston Red Sox. 

The Tampa Bay Rays recorded a 40-20 (wins-loses) in their regular season. Making them place first for the American League (AL) East. 

In the postseason, Rays successfully beat the Milwaukee Brewers with a 2-0 win, the San Diego Padres with a 3-0 win, and the Atlanta Braves 4-3. 

The Rays have yet to win a World Series title. The last time they made a World Series appearance was back in 2008, eventually losing against to Philadelphia Phillies. 

The 2020 World Series definitely was full of teeth grinding moments keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Dodgers started off the series strong by winning the first game 3-8. The Rays came back with a win in the following game, 6-4, tying the series. As if they were passing the baton, both teams kept winning every other game. 

Anticipated game day came, Dodgers entered the field hoping to win the fourth needed game win the champion title. Rays approached the field wishing to hold the Dodgers to push the series into a game 7. 

Top of the first inning, Randy Arozarena with Tampa Bay Ray came off with a sting hitting a solo homerun. Putting the score at 0-1, Rays, to start off the game strong. The thrill of the game only dropped from there. After the top of the first inning, pitchers for both teams were either striking out the batters or groundout hits. 

Strikeout after strikeout, Dodger fans were starting to lose hope. Up till the sixth inning, the Rays maintained a lead by one run over the Dodgers. The game was rapidly coming to a close. Dodgers were looking for the last bit of hope, while the Rays kept their eyes on a close win. Los Angeles had their wishing granted, when the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays made the worst decision of baseball history.

Bottom of the sixth inning, with one out, Robert Snell for the Rays gives up a single hit to number 15, Austin Barnes. Hit right in between the gap of the infield and centerfield, Barnes would be the second hit of that game. 

After a successful 73 pitches, 2 hits, and 9 strikeout game, Blake Snell was taken out of the game. This was the moment of opportunity for the dodgers to claim a lead. Nick Anderson for the Rays delivered his third pitch to Mookie Betts who proceeded to hit a groundball double. With Barnes on third base, and Betts on second base, this allowed Dodgers to have runners in scoring positions. 

Fans silent, hearts pumping, Anderson threw his fifth pitch and the ball bounced off of Mike Zunino, the catcher for Tampa Bay Rays. Barnes bolted to home and slid in safety. Making the game tied 1-1. Very next pitch, Cory Seager, hit a groundball to Rays first basemen, Ji-Man Choi. Choi fired a throw to home plate, but was too late. Betts had scored, making the game 2-1, Dodgers. 

Jumping to the bottom of the eighth inning, Mookie Bets hit a solo homerun on an 0-2 count. Pushing his team closer to the World Series title. Dodgers lead the game going into the ninth inning with a two run lead, with a score of 3-2.

With his 26th pitch of the ninth inning, Julio Urias stikes out the final batter of the 2020 World Series. The Dodgers claimed the 2020 World Series title. After 30 years, Dodgers finally won another title. For the Rays, unfortunately, will have to fight another day. Hopefully to win a World Series title for themselves. 

Not only Rays fans, but fans of national pastime, were disappointed in the choice the Rays manger to pull Snell out of the game. Snell was pitching an incredible game, and the Rays would’ve undoubtedly won game six if they kept him in. The inning Snell got pulled, he had only thrown 73 pitches. He only gave up two hits, and walked no one during his time on the mound. Verbally and physically upset, Snell wasn’t ready to give up his spot on the field. “I wanted to go that whole game, I just wanted to burn the tank, and see how far I could go”. Snell told ESPN after the game. 

As upsetting as it might have been for baseball fans across the country, it’s simply a part of the game. Mistakes are inevitable on the field. Whether its a player or a coach, it wil eventually happen. Mistakes are the driving force for the athletes to get better. The Dodgers gain their 7th World Series title, while Rays were left empty handed. Games one through six were full of ups and downs, shocks and excitement. It was a great World Series, but will go down in history as one of the games with the worst decision of MLB history.