2026 World Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Key Points:

• For the first time since 1980, the World Series features two teams yet to win a championship: the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers, guaranteeing a new champion this year.
• The Rays, in their 29th season, have reached the World Series three times but never won, relying heavily on savvy trades and strong pitching, including standout postseason performances from Freddy Peralta and closer Bryan Baker.
• The Brewers, under managers Matt Arnold and Pat Murphy, won their fourth consecutive NL Central title with a franchise-record 103 wins, building a roster dominated by homegrown talent from the MLB Draft and strategic trades, with key contributions from Brice Turang, Garrett Mitchell, and Jackson Chourio.
• Milwaukee overcame tough opponents like the Padres and Dodgers in the playoffs, sweeping the Dodgers in the NLCS to reach their first World Series as a National League team since 1982.
• The series opener will feature Brewers' ace Jacob Misiorowski on the mound, and games will be nationally televised on FOX; the prediction favors the Brewers to win their first title in six games.