Morning Mound Visit: Dodgers win World Series

When the Dodgers won the World Series, it spawned an indelible moment that felt as if it were ripped from a script. The Dodgers’ 2020 title run didn’t have a moment that could compare to Kirk Gibson hobbling out of the dugout to homer off Dennis Eckersley, but for the fans and for the team, it was no less cathartic. For the first time in 32 years, the Dodgers won the World Series. Sometimes being the best team in baseball pays off.

All Los Angeles needed to get over the hump was for Clayton Kershaw to perform like himself (and for the Red Sox to choose financial flexibility, and for Dave Roberts not to abuse him, and for Kevin Cash to abuse Blake Snell, and for an inconclusive COVID test of Justin Turner to be ignored). The future Hall of Famer threw 30 ²⁄₃ innings to a 2.93 ERA and 2.96 FIP. He struck out 37 batters and only walked five. He wasn’t just his normal self, he was better than his normal self.

Throughout the season, I joked that the 2020 World Series wouldn’t count because of the shortened season and expanded playoffs allowing for a team like the Marlins to come away with the title, but it’s hard to argue that this one was worth any less considering the team to come away with it. The Dodgers were clearly the best team in the majors before the season was suspended and they’re clearly the best team now.

Nothing can be taken away from them. This is their year.

Rob Mains | Baseball Prospectus: On Monday, Rob Manfred claimed that MLB teams had amassed $8.3 billion in debt, and while that sounds alarming, Rob Mains offers the reminder that for large entities like baseball teams, debt isn’t necessarily a bad thing.