The 2026 World Series begins tonight, as the Tampa Bay Rays travel to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers. First pitch in tonight’s Game 1 is scheduled for 8pm on FOX. It’s the first World Series since 1980 where neither franchise has ever won a title, ensuring that a first time-champion will be crowned.
It is both surprising and not that these two teams are the last ones standing. They may not have many marquee names attached to them, but both possessed the best records in their respective league, with the Brewers winning an MLB best 103 games and the Rays tallying the third best 98 wins. Both have gotten here in somewhat contrasting styles to most teams in the modern game today, mostly by playing impeccable defense with strong pitching and an offensive approach that led to the two best team batting averages but power numbers in the middle of the pack.
National League Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski will take the mound tonight in Game 1 at home for the Brewers and will face off against Nick Martinez of the Rays as Tampa curiously elects not to start their own ace and postseason revelation Drew Rasmussen. This gamble would allow the Rays to start Rasmussen in Game 2 on an extra day of rest. It will be interesting to see if that decision pays off.
So, who is your World Series pick? Who will be hoisting the trophy for the first time in their franchise’s history?