The Los Angeles Dodgers started off strong with a run in the first and were able to keep doing so against Tyler Glasnow, the Tampa Bay Rays starter, until he was taken out of the game. 

As the night rolled into Arlington, Texas on Sunday, the Dodgers game was just getting started. The series was tied at 2 going into tonight and with a strong performance by the Dodgers, they were able to make the series lead 3-2. 

With a heartbreaking game the prior night, people would think the Dodgers would have slowed down going into game 5. They did not. With two first inning runs coming off the bats of Corey Seager and Cody Bellineger, the Dodgers got out to a quick 2-0 lead. 

Clayton Kershaw walked to the mound in the bottom of the 1st. After many struggling postseason years, Kershaw seemed to get it all together going into the 2020 postseason. 

Before tonight’s start, Kershaw had a 2.88 postseason ERA and improved that tonight. Throughout the postseason Kershaw has struck out 28 men over 25 innings. This is a huge improvement from former years where he has had a career postseason ERA of over 4.50 prior to this year. 

Kershaw did not disappoint as he gave up two runs over five-and-two-third innings. He allowed 7 baserunners and struck out 6 men. This lowered his postseason ERA to 2.31 for this year. 

Joc Pederson hit a home run in the second inning which made the score 3-0. The Rays would not be able to come back from this lead by the end of this game. 

Kershaw had one inning in which he gave up his only two runs. Those two runs were off the bats off Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena, the hottest player in baseball. The score was then 3-2 after three innings. 

Tyler Glasnow continued to be his struggling postseason self. Glasnow gave up three runs over the first two innings and allowed one more over his start of five total innings.

The final run of the ballgame came off the bat of Max Muncy in the fifth inning. Muncy hit a home run that traveled 434 feet and the score was then 4-2. 

The Dodgers bullpen allowed only three baserunners after Kershaws start, while allowing no runs. They were dominant and able to get the job done. The Rays bullpen, however, was even better, allowing two baserunners over 4 innings. 

Getting out to an early lead is very important in baseball and has been very important in this series. The Dodgers were able to do so in game 5.  After a heartbreaking loss the night before, the Dodgers were able to put that behind them and perform well in game 5. 

The Dodgers will now have a chance to become World Champions and end a 32 yearn World Series drought on Tuesday, October 27.