The 2026 World Series is set: the Tampa Bay Rays vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, with Game 1 on Friday, Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX in Milwaukee. And whoever wins, a franchise is getting its first ring. The Rays and Brewers are two of the five MLB teams that have never won it all, per MLB.com.
How They Got Here
Milwaukee (103-59) beat the Padres in four games in the NLDS, then swept the Dodgers in the NLCS behind series MVP Jake Bauers. It’s only the Brewers’ second World Series ever and their first since 1982, when they lost to the Cardinals in seven.
Tampa Bay (98-64) swept the Yankees in the ALDS and closed out Cleveland in six in the ALCS. Freddy Peralta, who came over from the Mets in an August trade, was ALCS MVP. This is the Rays’ third trip after 2008 and 2020.
The Brewers hold home field and host Games 1, 2, 6 and 7. Tampa Bay hosts Games 3, 4 and 5 (Oct. 26-28).
The IAHHM Take
You know what we love about this matchup? The Brewers swept the Dodgers. The Rays swept the Yankees. Two of the sport’s glamour franchises got sent home by two small-market teams that build smart and play hard. That’s an underdog story fans in any city can respect.
On the field, ClutchPoints’ Josh Davis likes Milwaukee in six. His case starts with a bullpen that posted a 1.33 ERA through eight postseason games, plus extra rest and home field. Tampa’s answer is Peralta, Drew Rasmussen and a lineup with Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz, guys who can flip a game with one swing.
We lean Brewers too, but a hot Peralta makes this a coin flip. Who you got: Milwaukee’s bullpen or Tampa’s arms and pop? And if you’re here for the NBA side of things tonight, check out our Cavs breakdown.
Source: ClutchPoints, MLB.com
