Brewers and Rays set for 2026 World Series, guaranteeing first-time champion
Milwaukee and Tampa Bay will meet in the 2026 World Series, guaranteeing a first-time champion.
Event / Sports
MLB 2026 Season
Los Angeles Dodgers baseball season coverage including trades, injuries, and roster moves.
2 reported locations
Daily activity
47 articles2 articles
2026-07-29 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 12 Jun, 01:36 UTC
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What happened
Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games in the NL Championship Series
The Milwaukee Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games to win the 2026 NL Championship Series.
World Series play resumes Monday, October 26, after a travel day following Game 2
A travel day separates Games 2 and 3 of the 2026 World Series, and play resumes on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Rays acquired Drew Rasmussen from the Brewers in exchange for Willy Adames
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired right-handed pitcher Drew Rasmussen from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for shortstop Willy Adames. The two teams also exchanged relief pitchers who are no longer with either organization.
Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians in six games in the American League Championship Series
The Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians in six games to win the 2026 American League Championship Series.
Brewers finished the 2026 regular season 103-59 and won the NL Central
The Milwaukee Brewers finished the 2026 regular season with a 103-59 record, finishing first in the NL Central and earning home-field advantage in the World Series.
Brewers previously lost the 1982 World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games
The Milwaukee Brewers, representing the American League in 1982, lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. Milwaukee's only previous World Series title came in 1957 as the Milwaukee Braves.
Rays finished the 2026 regular season 98-64 and won the AL East
The Tampa Bay Rays finished the 2026 regular season with a 98-64 record and finished first in the AL East.
Rays previously appeared in two World Series, losing both
The Tampa Bay Rays lost the 2008 World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games and the 2020 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games.
Rays swept the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series
The Tampa Bay Rays swept the New York Yankees in three games in the 2026 AL Division Series.
Rays are expected to start Drew Rasmussen in Game 1, not yet officially announced
Drew Rasmussen is expected to start Game 1 of the World Series for the Tampa Bay Rays. The team had not made an official announcement as of the publication date.
Rays and Brewers open 2026 World Series in Milwaukee on Friday night
Game 1 of the 2026 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers is scheduled for Friday, October 23, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET at American Family Field in Milwaukee. The game is broadcast on FOX.
Jacob Misiorowski led Major League Baseball in regular-season strikeouts, ERA and WHIP
Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski led Major League Baseball in strikeouts with 252, and also led in ERA and WHIP during the 2026 regular season. He finished the regular season with a 16-5 record.
Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 World Series are scheduled in Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay Rays will host Games 3 and 4 of the 2026 World Series. Game 5 will also be played in Tampa Bay if the series reaches that game.
Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres in four games in the NL Division Series
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres in four games in the 2026 NL Division Series.
Neither the Rays nor the Brewers has previously won a World Series
The Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers have never won a World Series championship. This is the first World Series since 1980 in which two franchises without a prior title meet.
Game 6 and Game 7 of the 2026 World Series are scheduled in Milwaukee if necessary
If the series reaches Game 6, it returns to Milwaukee on Friday, October 30, 2026. A Game 7, if necessary, is scheduled at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Bryan Baker tied for regular-season MLB lead with 41 saves
Rays closer Bryan Baker tied Cade Smith for the league lead with 41 saves in the regular season. In the 2026 playoffs, Baker has recorded five saves and allowed three baserunners across seven scoreless innings in seven outings.
Brewers add Brandon Woodruff to World Series roster in place of Chad Patrick
The Brewers added right-handed pitcher Brandon Woodruff to their 26-man World Series roster, replacing right-handed reliever Chad Patrick on the 13-man pitching staff.
World Series Game 1 scheduled for Friday evening in Milwaukee
World Series Game 1 between the Brewers and Rays was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, October 23, 2026, at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Neither the Brewers nor the Rays has previously won a World Series
Neither the Milwaukee Brewers nor the Tampa Bay Rays has won a World Series in franchise history, so the 2026 series guarantees a first-time champion.
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2 alternative perspectives
Brewers topple Dodgers in NLCS opener, advance series to Game 2
Brewers beat Dodgers 2-1 in NLCS Game 1 behind Turang's homer and Lara's go-ahead hit.
Red Sox eliminated from Wild Card contention by Yankees
Red Sox eliminated from Wild Card Series by Yankees in postseason matchup.
Red Sox reliever Whitlock diagnosed with fractured tibia
Red Sox reliever Whitlock diagnosed with fractured tibia he pitched through in September.
Rasmussen's Historic Performance Lifts Rays Past Yankees in ALDS Game 1
Rasmussen's dominant pitching propels Rays past Yankees in ALDS Game 1 with historic postseason performance.
Yankees dominate Red Sox without Judge in Wild Card opener
Yankees crush Red Sox 9-0 in Wild Card opener without injured Judge.
Yankees advance to playoffs without injured Aaron Judge
Judge excluded from Yankees Wild Card roster due to calf strain after playing only 66 games this season.
Alvarez dominates AL while White Sox contained him at .200
Alvarez leads AL offensively but hit .200 against White Sox pitching.
White Sox, Astros deploy bullpen games in Wild Card opener
White Sox and Astros employ bullpen games in Wild Card Game 1 in Houston.
Bregman suffers multiple facial fractures from foul ball in Chicago
Bregman sustained multiple facial fractures from foul ball in Chicago.
Judge sidelined for playoffs with calf strain ahead of wild card
Judge sidelined for playoffs with calf strain after receiving plasma injection treatment.
Tigers rout Blue Jays 10-1, inch closer to wild card race
Tigers rout Blue Jays 10-1, maintaining wild card chase with dominant pitching and offense.