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The Tampa Bay Rays are being pushed to their limit by the Cleveland Guardians. Nonetheless, over the past two days, the Rays have shown why they were the best team in the AL this past season. After falling down 2-1 in the ALCS, the Rays have bounced back with two consecutive victories on the road — with Tampa Bay having taken a 3-2 lead in the series courtesy of a 3-1 win on Sunday.
With that victory, the Rays are now knocking on the door of the World Series, where the Milwaukee Brewers await. It seems like the postponement of Friday night’s contest due to inclement weather helped them immensely, as Game 6 (as well as Game 7, if necessary) will be at Tropicana Field — giving Tampa Bay a golden opportunity to secure their third appearance in the Fall Classic.
Moreover, if the Rays were to win another game against the Guardians in the ALCS, they would ensure a rare World Series phenomenon with the Milwaukee Brewers already waiting on the other side of the bracket. As per Rays insider Steve Carney, if Tampa Bay were to advance to the next round, this would be the first World Series matchup in 46 years between two teams that have never won a title.
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In 1980, the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies faced off against each other for a chance to win their first World Series title. In the end, it was the Phillies that got the better of the Royals, winning the series 4-2. The Royals would get their breakthrough in 1985 and would follow that up with another title in 2015.
The Brewers, like the Rays, have been in the World Series before. However, Milwaukee has only had just one shot at winning a title, and they whiffed it back in 1982 — losing in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Meanwhile, the Rays have made it to the Fall Classic twice, falling to the Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2008 and 2020, respectively. Can they make it three World Series appearances for the franchise with a win either on Monday night or on Tuesday (if necessary)?
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