2026 World Series discussion thread: Game 1

The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays met during the opening week of the 2026 season. Now, nearly seven months later, they’ll meet again with both franchises chasing their first World Series championship.

Milwaukee hosts its first Fall Classic game since 1982 after sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. The Brewers have won seven of their eight postseason games, powered by a roster assembled through shrewd acquisitions and player development.

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, returns to the World Series for the third time in franchise history after defeating Cleveland in the ALCS. The Rays have relied on a mix of star power and complementary players, with Chandler Simpson bringing elite speed and Junior Caminero supplying top-shelf power.

Taking the mound for Milwaukee in Game 1 is Jacob Misiorowski, the presumptive National League Cy Young Award winner. The 24-year-old posted a 1.80 ERA with 252 strikeouts in 174.2 innings during the regular season, relying heavily on a four-seam fastball that averaged 100.6 mph. Misiorowski faced Tampa Bay on April 1, allowing two runs over six innings while striking out seven.

Misiorowski’s four-seam fastball has seen its whiff rate drop from roughly 40% during the regular season to just 16% this postseason, leaving his breaking pitches to do more of the work. Still, he has recorded 11 strikeouts in 8.1 innings across two starts.

The Rays counter with veteran right-hander Nick Martinez, who posted a 3.10 ERA over 180 regular-season innings while walking just 3.6% of opposing hitters. Martinez relies on a six-pitch mix and exceptional command. He also faced the Brewers during the opening week, allowing two runs over six innings on March 30.

Martinez has leaned more heavily on his cutter this postseason, his most effective pitch by run value during the regular season. Unfortunately for him, it’s also a pitch that two of Milwaukee’s most dangerous hitters, Brice Turang and William Contreras, have handled especially well.

Neither starter has pitched particularly deep into games this postseason, and both offenses have a way of making pitchers work. That means the two teams’ very different bullpens could play a major role in the series.

Tampa Bay Rays (0-0) at Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) – 6:00 PM MDT

Pitching Matchup: RHP Nick Martinez (1-0, 3.00 postseason ERA) vs. RHP Jacob Misiorowski (0-0, 3.24 postseason ERA)

SB Nation sites:DRaysBay | Brew Crew Ball

Radio: ESPN Radio

TV: FOX

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