Baseball is the one professional sport where it is not uncommon to see underdog teams compete for championships. But in 2020, the oddest season of them all, the favorites have emerged.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers — the No. 1 seed in the American League and National League, respectively — face off in the Fall Classic. Game 1 is Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.

These were the two best teams in the 60-game regular season. The Dodgers went 43-17 (.717), the Rays 40-20 (.667). The Dodgers were led by the highest-scoring offense in MLB, the Rays by a premier pitching corps. It’s only the fourth time in the Wild Card era (since 1995) that the top seeds will face off for the crown.

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Latest World Series 2020 Odds

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World Series 2020: Dodgers vs Rays Pick

The Astros put up 8.8 runs per game in their ALDS win against Oakland’s awesome pitching staff, but they managed only 19 runs in seven games vs. Tampa Bay’s crew, a modest 2.7 rpg.

That has how the Rays have won games all season, including these playoffs. Offensively they were simply average, ranking 12th in scoring and 14th in home runs hit. But they ranked third in ERA and had three pitchers that would be No. 1 starters on a lot of teams: Charlie Morton, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.

However, the Rays have scored fewer runs in each series, from 5.5 rpg in the wild-card round to 4.2 in the ALDS to 3.6 in the ALCS.

Now they get the Dodgers, whose pitching staff ranked No. 1 in ERA. And their hitting? They ranked No. 1 in runs scored and in home runs hit. L.A.’s pitchers were hit hard at times by the Braves, but Atlanta ranked No. 2 in runs and homers – and in four of the seven NLCS games, the Braves were held to three runs or fewer. Tampa Bay doesn’t have the pop of Atlanta.

THE PICK: Dodgers in 5

2020 World Series Betting Tips

Slugging Dodgers

The Rays led the postseason in home runs; that’s how they’ve turned a weakness — scoring — into a strength to advance to the World Series. But all season, Dodgers pitchers ranked No. 1 in fewest homers allowed. Conversely, the Dodgers hit more HRs than any other team, the Rays ranked 10th in dingers allowed. Backing homer props for Dodgers players, not Rays.

Pitching Strengths

Tampa Bay has starters and relievers, and it has various ways to use them. The Dodgers staff, statistically, was even better. L.A. doesn’t have to outscore Tampa Bay. The Under is 9-5 in Tampa Bay games and has been .500 for L.A. in the postseason. Look for pitching to again be the theme, and for the Under to hit more often than the Over.

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World Series MVP Betting

World Series MVP Odds

• Tyler Glasnow, +850
• Mookie Betts, +900
• Randy Arozarena, +1000
• Clayton Kershaw, +1000
• Cody Bellinger, +1200
• Walker Buehler, +1200
• Corey Seager, +1200
• Charlie Morton, +1500
• Max Muncy, +1500
• Blake Snell, +1500
• Will Smith, +2000
• Justin Turner, +2500

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Each team has a staff that got it done all season. But there are players to exploit, looking at splits. While there aren’t many advantages out there, there is one. The Dodgers’ .837 OPS vs. right-handers is No. 2. The Rays’ ERA vs. right-handed hitters is 4.07.

Looking for a World Series MVP if the Dodgers win? Mookie Betts and Justin Turner might be frontrunners. For the Rays? The Dodgers have an OPS 59 points lower against LHPs. Blake Snell should get two starts. If he can get two wins and perhaps play a key role in a Game 7 win, he might have an edge over others.

Tampa Bay’s pitching will lead the way if it’s to win the Series.

Adam Thompson’s 2020 MLB Playoffs Betting Recap

Wild-Card Picks: Rays (-210) over Blue Jays, White Sox (+110) over A’s, Twins (-120) over Astros, Yankees (-135) over Indians, Dodgers (-300) over Brewers, Reds (+105) over Braves, Marlins (+160) over Cubs, Padres (-175) over Cardinals. Record: 5-3 (+240)

Division Series Picks: Rays (+120) over Yankees, A's (-118) over Astros, Braves (-286) over Marlins, Dodgers (-286) over Padres. Record: 3-1 (+202).

LCS picks: Rays (-167) over Astros, Dodgers (-215) over Braves. Record: 2-0 (+200)

Overall record: 10-4 (+642)

2020 World Series Schedule

• Tuesday: Rays vs Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., FOX
• Wednesday: Rays vs. Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., FOX
• Friday: Dodgers vs Rays, 8:08 p.m., FOX
• Saturday: Dodgers vs Rays, 8:08 p.m., FOX
• Sunday: Dodgers vs Rays, 8:08 p.m., FOX*
• Oct. 27: Rays vs Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., FOX*
• Oct. 28: Rays vs. Dodgers, 8:08 p.m., FOX*

*-if necessary