Mookie Betts shoots to top of World Series MVP power rankings, earns America free tacos

The 2020 World Series is officially underway, and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts got things going in a big way in LA’s 8-3 win in Game 1. Betts was 2-for-4 with a walk in the leadoff spot, hitting a home run, stealing two bases, and scoring two runs. He became the first player in World series history to manage a HR, two SBs, and two runs scored.

The first stolen base netted America free tacos as part of Taco Bell’s “Steal a Base, Steal a Taco” promotion. Two years ago, Betts had the first stolen base of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox, also earning America free tacos.

While America will remember the tacos, this also make Betts the early favorite to take home World Series MVP honors. There’s a lot of baseball to be played, but considering he was one of the front-runners coming into the World Series to take home the MVP award, he heads into Game 2 as the sole front-runner.

Other notable performances included Max Muncy, who went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, and Cody Bellinger who had a two-run homer that got the Dodgers on the board. Clayton Kershaw overcome postseason struggles over his career to throw six innings of two-hit, one run ball and strike out six in earning the Game 1 victory.

The Rays have their work cut out for them after Game 1, but Kevin Kiermaier got off to a slid start. He was 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored in the loss.

Here is how our MVP power rankings look after Game 1, with their pre-Series odds in parenthesis.

1. Mookie Betts (+900)
2. Clayton Kershaw (+1000)
3. Max Muncy (+1500)
4. Cody Bellinger (+1200)
5. Kevin Kiermaier (+4400)