The 2020 World Series is tied at 1-1 heading into Game 3 Friday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The Tampa Bays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 Wednesday night, but the odds suggest L.A. will regain control of the series in the upcoming contest.

Los Angeles is a -155 betting favorite in Game 3, according to odds compiled by OddsShark. Tampa Bay is a +145 underdog. The over/under is 7.5 runs.

Walker Buehler will take the mound for the Dodgers. Los Angeles’ ace started Game 1 in each of the team’s previous three series. Buehler was pegged as the Game 3 starter after pitching in Game 6 of the NLCS.

Charlie Morton is on the hill for the Rays. The veteran last pitched in Game 7 of the ALCS.

If Morton continues to pitch the way he has the entire postseason Friday, Tampa Bay will likely take a 2-1 series lead. In three starts this October, Morton has surrendered just one run over 15.2 innings. Morton has struck out 17 batters and allowed 15 hitters to reach base.

Keeping that pace against this Los Angeles lineup is a tall order.

The Dodgers have 12 total runs in two World Series games. They’ve scored at least three runs in five consecutive contests. Corey Seager hit his seventh home run in 14 playoff games Wednesday. Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and Max Muncy all have an OPS of at least .880 this postseason.

Only four Dodgers have faced Morton in their careers. Betts accounts for more than half of those plate appearances with six hits in 20 at-bats against the Rays starter.

Tampa Bay’s hitters only have 11 total at-bats against Buehler. The Rays’ lineup could be in for a rude awakening against the 26-year-old, who has pitched to a 1.89 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 19 innings this month.

Buehler was spectacular in his last outing, shutting out the Braves over six innings in a must-win game. The right-hander has only allowed two home runs this postseason.

The Rays have relied heavily on the long ball to score in the playoffs. Brandon Lowe broke out of his slump with a pair of home runs in Game 2. Tampa Bay is hitting .213 with 28 homers in the postseason.

Randy Arozarena has seven playoff homers. The rookie is 1-6 with a single in the World Series.

Buehler has given up one run or fewer in seven of his last eight playoff starts. He surrendered two runs in his other outing during that span.

If the Rays are largely kept in the ballpark, the Dodgers should walk away with a 2-1 series lead Friday night.

Game 3 Prediction: Los Angeles over Tampa Bay, 4-2

Walker Buehler Los Angeles Dodgers
Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after retiring the side with the bases loaded against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning in Game Six of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 17, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. Tom Pennington/Getty Images
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