World Series Preview: Brewers and Rays Open Tonight With a First Title on the Line

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Pictured: Brewers first baseman and NLCS MVP Jake Bauers, in 2021. Photo: Erik Drost via Wikimedia Commons (license on file page).

The 2026 World Series begins tonight, Friday, October 23, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, and whoever wins it will be a first-time champion. The Milwaukee Brewers, who went 103-59 for the best record in the National League, host the Tampa Bay Rays, whose 98-64 record was the best in the American League. First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. Eastern on FOX, with coverage also on FOX Deportes and the FOX One app.

The Game 1 pitching matchup

Brewers: Jacob Misiorowski. The hard-throwing right-hander led the majors with a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts and a 0.80 WHIP this season, and he is considered the favorite for the National League Cy Young Award. He hit 104.8 mph with his first pitch of the NLCS and has started Game 1 of each of Milwaukee’s last two series.

Rays: Nick Martinez. Tampa Bay surprised some by not going with Drew Rasmussen, who instead gets an extra day of rest and is lined up for Game 2. Martinez relies on throwing strikes and limiting hard contact. ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta is expected to start Game 3 back in St. Petersburg.

How they got here

Milwaukee swept the two-time defending champion Dodgers in the NLCS and has had more than a week off, which raises the usual question of rest versus rust. Its bullpen has a 1.33 ERA this postseason. Tampa Bay swept the Yankees in the division series and beat Cleveland in six games in the ALCS, and closer Bryan Baker has five saves and seven scoreless innings in October. The teams met once during the regular season, in April, with the Brewers taking two of three. For the full playoff run, see our Brewers vs. Rays report.

The Brewers’ only previous World Series came in 1982, a seven-game loss to the Cardinals. The Rays lost in 2008 to the Phillies and in 2020 to the Dodgers.

Schedule (8 p.m. Eastern, on FOX)

  • Game 1: Friday, Oct. 23, Rays at Brewers
  • Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 24, Rays at Brewers
  • Game 3: Monday, Oct. 26, Brewers at Rays
  • Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 27, Brewers at Rays
  • Game 5*: Wednesday, Oct. 28, Brewers at Rays
  • Game 6*: Friday, Oct. 30, Rays at Brewers
  • Game 7*: Saturday, Oct. 31, Rays at Brewers

*If necessary. Probable starters and times can change; check MLB’s official schedule.

Sources

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