Heading into Friday’s Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays, the 2020 World Series MVP award might be Clayton Kershaw’s to lose.

The series is tied at 1-1. Tampa Bay won Game 2 on the strength of a pair of Brandon Lowe home runs. Los Angeles cruised to an 8-3 Game 1 victory as both Mookie Betts and Cody Bellinger went deep.

Kershaw picked up the win in Game 1 with six dominant innings. The left-hander surrendered one run while striking out eight, allowing just three batters to reach base.

Every Kershaw start is under a microscope because the three-time Cy Young winner has a checkered playoff history. It’s also why the pitcher has the best chance of being named World Series MVP if the Dodgers end up winning the title.

Los Angeles is a -200 favorite to win the World Series, according to odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Dodgers led MLB with a 43-17 record in the 60-game regular season. They have won eight straight NL West titles and are playing in their third World Series in four years.

With much more star power than the Rays and their best roster in decades, both the Dodgers and Kershaw are due to finally get over the hump and be crowned champions.

Betts leads all players with +220 MVP odds. The outfielder is followed by Kershaw (+500), Lowe (+1100), Corey Seager (+1100) and Bellinger (+1300).

The story of Kershaw overcoming his October demons will give him the edge when it’s time for members of the media to cast their votes.

There’s no debating that Kershaw has been a significantly worse pitcher in the postseason. An eight-time All-Star with a career 2.43 ERA, Kershaw is one of the greatest regular-season pitchers in history. The future first-ballot Hall of Famer has been less than ordinary in the biggest games, posting a career 4.22 ERA in 29 playoff starts and seven relief appearances.

Prior to Game 1, Kershaw had a 5.40 ERA in the World Series.

Kershaw was locked in during the series opener, a sign that he’s potentially on track for an outstanding Fall Classic. Most of the all-time greats eventually have their October moment if given enough chances.

Barry Bonds had a .196 batting average and just one home run in his first 27 playoff games. He turned things around with a historic 2002 postseason, totaling eight playoff home runs and a 1.994 OPS in a seven-game World Series loss.

Alex Rodriguez didn’t win the 2009 World Series MVP award, but he was the New York Yankees’ best player during that year’s championship run. After posting just one RBI in his previous 16 playoff games, A-Rod hit .365/.500/.808 with 18 RBI in 15 playoff games.

Even David Price, a five-time All-Star known for being a playoff choker, finally came up big with two wins and a 1.98 ERA in the 2018 World Series. Price and the Boston Red Sox beat Kershaw and the Dodgers in the Game 5 clincher, which saw LA’s ace give up four runs and take the loss.

Kershaw only threw 78 pitchers in Game 1 and hasn’t been used in relief this postseason. He should be fresh in his Game 5 start Sunday, ready to have another terrific performance against a Rays’ lineup that’s hitting .213 in 16 playoff games.

It’s all set up for Kershaw to get his redemption, winning his first championship as the World Series MVP.

Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers returns to the dugout after retiring the side against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning in Game One of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 20, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. Tom Pennington/Getty Images
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