Brewers’ World Series win nearly vanished on a replay review that changed everything originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Game 1 of the World Series had the kind of ending that can turn one split-second decision into the story everyone remembers. The Brewers appeared to have finished off a 3-2 win when they turned a double play in the ninth inning. Then the call at second base was overturned: rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt’s foot had come off the bag before he caught the throw.
Instead of celebrating, Milwaukee had to get ready for another batter.
The review gave Tampa Bay a renewed chance to pull off a rally after loading the bases against reliever Trevor Megill. It also put the pressure back on a Brewers defense that had been one out from putting the opener away. Megill recovered from the reversal and struck out Jonny DeLuca to secure the win, but that final out came after the kind of brief pause that makes a stadium hold its breath.
Wild sequence in Milwaukee
The sequence was bigger than a routine replay. In the World Series, a call like that can change a team’s season in a matter of seconds. A clean double play would have ended the game. The review instead extended it, moved the tying run into a dangerous position and forced Milwaukee to get one more out under a bright spotlight.
WORLD SERIES GAME 1 GOES TO THE BREWERS! https://t.co/w3YKdk0Jpz
— MLB (@MLB) October 24, 2026
That is the tension replay is supposed to resolve. The review corrected the play at second, but it also made the final moments feel even more precarious for the Brewers. Tampa Bay still had to capitalize, and it could not: the Rays finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
Milwaukee survived the swing in momentum and took a 1-0 series lead. But Game 1 offered a reminder that no World Series victory is secure until the final out is actually recorded. For several moments, the Brewers thought they had it. Then the call changed, and they had to earn it again.
MORE: Freddy Peralta's World Series opponent makes Rays ALCS MVP story even better
Game 2
Game two of the World Series is Saturday night in Milwaukee. After the game, the two teams will travel to Tampa where the next three games will be played.
More MLB news:
- Reds' $70 million trade mistake is why third base is their biggest roster hole
- Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski made MLB playoff history three times with 104+ mph pitches
- Most strikeouts in an MLB Postseason Game: White Sox made dubious history in loss to Guardians
- Red Sox's top offseason need highlights a big power-hitting problem