Tony Gonsolin to Start for Dodgers vs. Rays in Game 2 of 2020 World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to start rookie pitcher Tony Gonsolin in Game 2 of the 2020 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.

Gonsolin threw 41 pitches in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, meaning he may have to work as an opener with a cap of two or three innings in Wednesday night's game.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Julio Urias and Dustin May will both be available out of the bullpen for Game 2, although they both pitched in Game 7 of the NLCS as well.

Gonsolin will be contested by Rays starter Blake Snell when Game 2 of the World Series begins at 8:08 p.m. ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

L.A. owns a 1-0 series lead after winning Game 1 8-3 Tuesday. The Dodgers benefited from one of the best performances of Clayton Kershaw's postseason career, as he allowed just two hits, one walk and one earned run in six innings. He also struck out eight.

After going 2-2 with a 2.31 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 46.2 innings during the regular season, Gonsolin has struggled in two playoff appearances.

In two NLCS outings against the Braves, including one start, he went 0-1 with a 9.95 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and eight strikeouts over 6.1 innings.

The sample size is small, and the fact that Gonsolin had such a long layoff between the end of the regular season and his first playoff appearance may have played a role in his poor showings.

Now, Gonsolin will attempt to give the Dodgers a strong outing on just two days' rest, although Game 2 profiles as one in which the Dodgers will get plenty of use out of their bullpen.

With ace Walker Buehler lining up to start Game 3 for the Dodgers, Game 2 becomes an even bigger deal for the Rays.

Tampa should have a huge advantage on the mound Wednesday, as Snell won the American League Cy Young Award two years ago. He went 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA during the 2020 regular season and has followed that up with a 2-2 record and a 3.20 ERA in four playoff starts.

Still, a loss in Game 2 would essentially put the Rays in a must-win situation against Buehler and his 1.89 ERA in the 2020 playoffs.