The Brewers and Rays are each looking to win the first World Series for either franchise.
The stage is set for the 2026 World Series, and baseball fans are getting a matchup that few could have predicted at the beginning of the season. The National League champion Milwaukee Brewers will take on the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays in a best-of-seven series beginning Friday, October 23, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
For both franchises, this World Series represents an opportunity to make history. Neither the Brewers nor the Rays has ever won a World Series championship. For the first time since 1980, two teams searching for their first title will meet in the Fall Classic.
This isn't a matchup featuring baseball's biggest payrolls or most recognizable franchises. Instead, it showcases two organizations that have built their success through player development, smart roster construction, pitching, and culture.
How They Got Here
Tampa Bay Rays: 98-64, No. 1 seed in the AL, first in the AL East. ALDS: Defeated the New York Yankees 3-0. ALCS: Defeated the Cleveland Guardians 4-2.
Milwaukee Brewers: Regular season: 103-59, No. 1 seed in the NL, first in the NL Central. NLDS: Defeated the San Diego Padres 3-1. NLCS: Defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-0.
This is the Milwaukee Brewers' first World Series appearance since 1982.
Key Players
Tampa Bay Rays
- Junior Caminero, 3B: Regular season: .276, 42 HR, 101 RBI, .885 OPS. Postseason: .273, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .806 OPS.
- Yandy Diaz, DH: Regular season: .293, 22 HR, 85 RBI, .805 OPS. Postseason: .308, 2 HR, 4 RBI, .906 OPS.
- Jonathan Aranda, 1B: Regular season: .274, 22 HR, 92 RBI, .792 OPS. Postseason: .257, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .676 OPS.
- Drew Rasmussen, SP: Regular season: 16-5, 2.67 ERA, 174 K, .91 WHIP. Postseason: 2-0, 1.29 ERA, 23 K, .76 WHIP.
- Bryan Baker, RP: Regular season: 41 saves, 1.44 ERA, 63 K, .91 WHIP. Postseason: 5 saves, 0.00 ERA, 6 K, .43 WHIP.
Milwaukee Brewers
- Bryce Turang, 2B: Regular season: .268, 21 HR, 100 RBI, .816 OPS. Postseason: .222, 1 HR, 2 RBI, .753 OPS.
- Jackson Chourio: Regular season: .291, 25 HR, 75 RBI, .837 OPS. Postseason: .171, 2 HR, 7 RBI, .553 OPS.
- Jake Bauers: Regular season: .266, 26 HR, 86 RBI, .874 OPS. Postseason: .269, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .864 OPS.
- Jacob Misiorowski, SP: Regular season: 16-5, 1.80 ERA, 252 K, .80 WHIP. Postseason: 0-0, 3.24 ERA, 11 K, 1.56 WHIP.
- Trevor Megill: Regular season: 30 saves, 2.63 ERA, 69 K, .89 WHIP. Postseason: 4 saves, 0.00 ERA, 6 K, .53 WHIP.
Three Keys to the 2026 World Series
1. Starting Pitching Length
Both teams feature talented pitching staffs, making the early innings extremely important. For the Brewers, Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson are crucial. Both of them going deep into games can set the Brewers up to dominate bullpen matchups in the series.
If Rasmussen and Peralta give the Rays longer starts, that will help the Rays limit bullpen usage, when on paper the Brewers have the advantage in the bullpen.
2. Clutch Hitting
These two teams have thrived on getting big hits in big situations this postseason. Jackson Chourio getting the huge hit against Mason Miller in the series against the San Diego Padres.
For the Brewers, Jake Bauers battled multiple times against the Los Angeles Dodgers to raise pitch counts and make it hurt with a home run or walk.
Winning in these series is determined by who comes through when runners in scoring position are hard to come by.
3. Bullpen Execution
World Series games are often decided in the final three innings. Both managers will face difficult decisions about when to remove their starters and which relievers to trust in high-pressure situations. Both bullpens have been very good all season, with lockdown closers.
The winning team will probably crack the other's closer at least once to either break a tie game or turn a loss into a victory at least once in the series.
Prediction
I think this series will be back and forth, with two teams that mirror each other in a lot of ways. Great starting pitching, defense, they both put the ball in play and don’t rely on just hitting home runs, they put runners in motion, and great bullpens.
I won’t be surprised with any result. They both seem to just have the “mojo” needed to win a World Series.
That being said, one team does have to lose, unfortunately. I am picking the Brewers to win in seven games. I like the starting pitching advantage the Brewers have in the first game, with Misiorowski facing Nick Martinez. I also think their bullpen is deeper for the seven-game series. It’s slight, but Uribe, Ashby, and Megill have been great all season and postseason.
The Brewers win the World Series in seven games.