For the second straight year, an Eau Claire Express alum is headed to the World Series.
Pitcher Griffin Jax is part of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team that won the American League pennant and will face the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series.
Jax pitched for the Express in the summer of 2015. He went 1-0 with a 2.36 earned run average. He struck out 14 batters in 19 innings over three starts.
"Another Express alum making it to the World Series! Just shows the caliber of players that are coming to Eau Claire," Express manager Dale Varsho said. "Griffin pitched here when he was a Cadet at the Air Force Academy and did very well for us.
"He has great command and competes like crazy, which makes him a very valuable pitcher. I am so happy for him."
The World Series is set to begin Friday night in Milwaukee.
Jax started in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians. He went four innings and allowed three runs in a loss.
He also pitched in the ALDS this postseason against the New York Yankees.
Jax pitched two innings in relief during Tampa Bay's 4-3, series-clinching win over the Yankees. He allowed one run while striking out four batters.
Jax has been used mainly as a starter for Tampa Bay, going 8-10 with a 3.52 ERA during the 2026 regular season.
Jax excelled collegiately for the Air Force Academy and was selected in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Minnesota Twins.
Two Express alumni played in the 2025 World Series. Center fielder Daulton Varsho started for the Toronto Blue Jays while outfielder Alex Call was a reserve on the Los Angeles Dodgers team that won the championship.