It’s hard to talk about the Dodgers 2020 World Series roster without mentioning the "bubble." That weird, sterile environment in Arlington, Texas, where the echoing sounds of bat cracks met empty seats. But for fans in Los Angeles, those details didn't matter. What mattered was that Andrew Friedman finally assembled a group of 28 men who could survive the gauntlet of a shortened 60-game season and a grueling postseason. It wasn't just about Mookie Betts, although he was clearly the catalyst. It was about the way the roster functioned as a living, breathing organism that refused to die.
They won. Finally. After 32 years.
People often forget how many moving parts there were. Most fans remember the Big Three—Kershaw, Mookie, and Seager—but the real magic of this specific squad was the bench and the middle relief. You had guys like Edwin Ríos hitting moonshots in the regular season just to keep the momentum going, and then you had the high-wire act of the bullpen in the Fall Classic.
The Core That Defined the Dodgers 2020 World Series Roster
When you look back at the Dodgers 2020 World Series roster, the talent at the top was almost unfair. Mookie Betts was the missing ingredient. Everyone knew it. Before he arrived, the Dodgers were a great team that lacked a certain... let's call it "winning inevitability." Betts brought that. He didn't just hit home runs; he took extra bases on dirt balls and played defense like he was trying to save the world.
Then there was Corey Seager. Honestly, the man was a machine during that playoff run. He took home the NLCS MVP and the World Series MVP. He was hitting everything. Fastballs, sliders, changeups—if it was in the zip code, Seager was barreling it up. He finished the postseason with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. Just absurd numbers.
But let's talk about Clayton Kershaw. If the Dodgers 2020 World Series roster was a story, Kershaw was the protagonist finally getting his redemption. He went 2-0 in the series against Tampa Bay. He looked calm. For years, the narrative was that he "choked" in October. In 2020, he threw that narrative into the trash. His Game 5 performance, where he outdueled Tyler Glasnow, basically paved the road to the trophy. It was poetic.
The pitching staff was deep. Seriously deep. Walker Buehler was the "Big Game" ace, throwing heaters that looked like they were shot out of a cannon. Then you had the young guns. Dustin May and his 100-mph "turbo-sinker" that moved like a frisbee. Julio Urías, who transitioned from a middle-inning bridge to the guy who closed out the whole thing. Seeing Urías squat down in celebration after the final out is an image burned into every Angeleno's brain.
The Unsung Heroes and the Bench
Dave Roberts had options. That’s the thing about this roster. He could play matchups better than almost any manager in history because the front office gave him a Swiss Army knife.
📖 Related: Shedeur Sanders Draft Room: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Take Chris Taylor. He’s the guy who does everything. Need him in center? Fine. Second base? Sure. Left field? Why not. He provided the stability that allowed the stars to shine. And Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez. He wasn't a full-time starter, but his pinch-hit home run in Game 7 of the NLCS against the Braves is essentially why they even made it to the World Series. Without that swing, we aren't even talking about a championship.
The catching situation was also a masterclass in roster construction. Will Smith was the offensive powerhouse, the young kid with the smooth swing. But they also had Austin Barnes. Barnes was Kershaw’s personal catcher and a defensive wizard. In Game 6, it was Barnes who singled and then scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch/Mookie fielder's choice. Small ball. It wins championships.
The Pitching Depth: A Mix of Gas and Guile
The bullpen was a rollercoaster. Kenley Jansen was the veteran closer, but his role was... complicated. He wasn't the dominant force of 2017 anymore. This is where the Dodgers 2020 World Series roster showed its true strength. Instead of crumbling when a closer struggled, they leaned on guys like Blake Treinen and Pedro Báez.
Treinen was a massive pickup. His sinker was devastating. Then you had Joe Kelly, who became a folk hero for making faces at Carlos Correa, but also pitched crucial innings. Don't forget Victor González. The lefty was a rookie, but he pitched with the nerves of a 10-year veteran. He got the win in the clinching Game 6. Think about that: a rookie getting the win in the biggest game of the decade.
Breaking Down the Positions
If we're being honest, the roster was top-heavy with talent but bottom-heavy with reliability. Here is how the 28-man squad was actually built for the World Series:
Starting Pitchers
The rotation was led by Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, and Tony Gonsolin. Gonsolin had a weird postseason—he was used more as an "opener" or a short-stint guy—but his regular season (2.31 ERA) was a huge reason they had the best record in baseball. Dustin May acted as a hybrid, sometimes starting, sometimes coming out of the 'pen to gas people up.
Infielders
Max Muncy at first base was the "on-base machine." He didn't hit for a high average, but he walked a ton and hit massive home runs. Justin Turner, the heart and soul at third base, was consistent as ever until that weird COVID-positive exit in the final game. Seager at short. Kiké and Taylor rotating at second.
👉 See also: Seattle Seahawks Offense Rank: Why the Top-Three Scoring Unit Still Changed Everything
Outfielders
Mookie in right was a given. Cody Bellinger in center was interesting because he was dealing with a shoulder injury (from celebrating too hard, ironically) but still played elite defense and hit a massive home run in the NLCS. AJ Pollock and Joc Pederson rotated in left. "Babe Ryth" (Joc Pederson) was a postseason legend. He always seemed to find a way to hit a home run when the lights were brightest.
Why This Specific Roster Succeeded Where Others Failed
For years, the Dodgers had "better" teams on paper. The 2017 squad was legendary. The 2019 team won 106 games. So why did the Dodgers 2020 World Series roster finally cross the finish line?
Experience.
They had been embarrassed before. They had lost Game 7s. They had been cheated (if you ask any Dodger fan about the Astros). By 2020, they were calloused. When they fell behind 3-1 to the Braves in the NLCS, they didn't panic. They knew they had the depth to claw back.
Another factor was the addition of Brusdar Graterol. The "Bazooka." He brought an energy to the dugout that was infectious. Watching him throw 102 mph and then celebrate like he just won the lottery gave the team a swagger they sometimes lacked in previous years.
Also, we have to mention the "Kevin Cash Incident." In Game 6, the Rays' manager pulled Blake Snell while he was carving up the Dodgers. The Dodgers 2020 World Series roster reacted instantly. Mookie Betts saw a new pitcher and immediately doubled. The air left the Rays' balloon. A lesser roster might not have capitalized, but this group was predatory. They waited for a mistake and then pounced.
The Statistical Reality
It wasn't just "vibes." The numbers backed up the dominance. During the regular season, the Dodgers led the majors in home runs (118) and team ERA (3.02). They were the only team to score over 300 runs in that short season.
✨ Don't miss: Seahawks Standing in the NFL: Why Seattle is Stuck in the Playoff Purgatory Middle
In the World Series specifically:
- Corey Seager hit .400 with a 1.256 OPS.
- Mookie Betts stole four bases and hit two homers.
- The bullpen combined for a 3.44 ERA over the six games, which is incredibly solid given the pressure.
They weren't perfect. They lost Game 4 in one of the most heartbreaking, "Bad News Bears" finishes in baseball history. But they didn't let it break them. The 2020 roster had a short memory. They came back in Game 5 and took care of business.
Lessons From the 2020 Roster Build
Building a championship team isn't about signing every superstar. It's about finding the right stars who fit a culture. The Dodgers traded for Mookie Betts and gave up Alex Verdugo, but they kept their core prospects. They integrated Will Smith and Dustin May while still leaning on veterans like Justin Turner.
It was a masterclass in "sustainability." Most teams sell the farm for a ring. The Dodgers won a ring and still had a top-five farm system. That’s why they stayed competitive for years afterward.
If you're looking to understand modern baseball management, look at that 2020 squad. They used openers. They used defensive shifts. They used platoons. They used high-leverage relievers in the 5th inning if the situation called for it. They weren't married to "the way things used to be done."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Value the Bridge: When evaluating a roster, don't just look at the starters. Look at the 3rd and 4th guys off the bench. In 2020, the Dodgers' "bench" (Kiké, Joc, Taylor) would have been starters on 20 other MLB teams. That is the "Friedman Advantage."
- Reliever Versatility: The 2020 postseason proved that the "9th inning closer" is becoming an outdated concept. Julio Urías getting a multi-inning save to win the World Series is the blueprint for modern championship pitching.
- Redemption is Possible: For athletes, the 2020 roster is a lesson in persistence. Kershaw’s journey from "postseason failure" to "World Series champion" is one of the great arcs in sports history. Never count out a Hall of Fame talent just because of a few bad outings.
- Cultural Fit: Mookie Betts transformed the clubhouse. Skill matters, but the "how" of winning matters just as much. Bringing in a player who has "been there" (Mookie won with Boston in 2018) can be the catalyst for a group of talented players who haven't yet reached the summit.
The 2020 Dodgers weren't just a "COVID year" fluke. They were a juggernaut that finally got the breaks they deserved. They out-pitched, out-hit, and out-managed a very good Tampa Bay Rays team. Even without a parade through the streets of Los Angeles, that roster’s legacy is secure as one of the most balanced and dominant units of the 21st century.