Following the Tampa Bay Rays' ALCS victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, the matchup for the 2026 World Series is set. The Rays will face the Milwaukee Brewers, with the Fall Classic beginning in Milwaukee on Friday.
This should be an exciting matchup, as both clubs had the best record in their respective leagues this year. The World Series will also crown a first-time champion, as neither club has won before.
The Brewers lost their lone World Series appearance in 1982, while the Rays lost their previous two Fall Classic appearances in 2008 and 2020.
According to MLB.com's Sarah Langs, there hasn't been a World Series between two teams without a championship since 1980, when the Philadelphia Phillies squared off against the Kansas City Royals. The Phillies prevailed, while the Royals won it all five years later.
This is the eighth World Series between two franchises both seeking their first titles, but the first where both franchises have been waiting for at least 25 years.
Following back-to-back titles by the Los Angeles Dodgers, this year's series will be a refreshing change of pace.