NEW YORK, NY — An intriguing end to the 2026 MLB season lies ahead with the Rays and Brewers meeting in the World Series, the 122nd edition of the Fall Classic opening up Friday evening between two franchises on the lower end of team payrolls. 

Tampa Bay, listed 25th in all of MLB with a $98.3 million payroll, the No. 1 seed in the American League (98-64) against Milwaukee, with a $143.5 million payroll (19th) and also the No. 1 seed (103-59) in the National League. 

The 2026 World Series starts TODAY!

Who will win this year's Fall Classic? pic.twitter.com/DWkEnOoyu4

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 23, 2026

Why is this series catching the attention of baseball even though there are skeptics regarding a rating bonanza for MLB and Fox Sports? Two smaller markets battling for their first ever World Series championship could be a reason. 

Meanwhile for those skeptics—it’s probably because this matchup is not featuring the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, or Phillies—four organizations high up in MLB’s annual team payroll list and ones located in much larger markets that draw the much-desired TV ratings. 

However, it’s about baseball at the end of the day and a best of seven series containing the potential of reaching a climax, that winner-take-all seventh game perhaps for a second consecutive year as no one can forget the Dodgers in seven over the Blue Jays last October.

Both teams, Tampa Bay and Milwaukee, play the game the old school way with a bunt, steal, and move the runner over style of approach. A home run ball or two attached to strong starting pitching rotations and productive bullpens that have shown to provide innings—all ingredients that will determine who comes home with the Commissioner’s Trophy.

And two managers who are leading the way, Kevin Cash of the Rays and Pat Murphy of the Brewers. They know the statistics, percentages and use analytics as every team does. They know the strategy, what works and doesn’t, with rosters not including the star names of Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto or Bryce Harper. 

Instead 13 Latino players and coaches on each side displaying their talents and will to fight for championship glory. 

Each vying for their franchise’s first-ever World Series title as the Fall Classic opens up tonight in Milwaukee, it’s the Rays and the Brewers who will be battling it out for the Commissioner’s Trophy – Image Credit: Major League Baseball

So viewing both teams up close this season was baseball heaven. And as I asked numerous scouts and a baseball higher-up or two this week, the sentiment is similar. This will be a World Series that lives up to expectations. 

I projected prior to the postseason a Brewers-Rays World Series and it was meant to be.

Some veterans including myself have seen the history. Those four-game unexpected sweeps, the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” era, ‘69 Miracle Mets run, late ‘90s-early 2000s Yankees dynasty and last year’s Dodgers matchup vs. Toronto which provided us with yet another epic ending.

Will the Brewers and Rays add to the illustrious history of the Fall Classic?

The Rays and Brewers are both vying for their first World Series championship!

It's the first time since 1980 (Phillies vs. Royals) where both teams in the Fall Classic are seeking their first title pic.twitter.com/sVuhbJAk1H

— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2026

I questioned the scouts, those higher-ups who have seen all 162 regular season games as well as each of the postseason contests in the Wild Card, Division and League Championship Series: who has the advantage? 

I expected the response, a 50/50 split. Like a championship boxing fight of styles, the Brewers and Rays are a perfect match. I questioned former players and some colleagues in the press box, the majority said Brewers have an edge with their bullpen strength.

“Brewers have a slight edge,” said Howie Karpin, an esteemed longtime official scorer for MLB and Sirius XM radio update host. “They have a deeper pen. Lefty Aaron Ashby has been lights out this postseason, righty Abner Uribe is a hard thrower but is sometimes erratic. The Rays may have better starters but Milwaukee has a slight edge in the pen.”

With the 2026 World Series opening up Friday night at American Family Field, Brewers reliever Abner Uribe may be the glue in it all for Milwaukee’s bullpen – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez/Latino Sports

Latino Sports’ senior baseball columnist William Coppola who covers the Dodgers and was once an assistant scout with three MLB teams, with a ton of knowledge on the Rays said: 

“Both teams are even from middle relief, setup to closer, same with bullpen games. Also both are playing their best, this has all the potential for seven games.”

Former Rays first baseman Carlos Peña who played a key role in Tampa Bay’s first-ever World Series appearance in 2008 said the 2026 Rays are comparable. “It’s a winning culture,” he noted, adding it will be about small-ball at times for both teams. The overall consensus from opinions gathered, a low scoring series with one or two major plays that will make for the difference.

Perhaps it comes down to Game 1’s starters as Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski, the presumed NL Cy Young Award winner takes on Tampa Bay’s hard-throwing Nick Martinez, a revived 36-year-old with a nasty repertoire of pitches fresh off his first All Star season.

Kevin Cash talks about why the Rays are starting Nick Martinez instead of Drew Rasmussen in Game 1 of the World Series pic.twitter.com/DeAsYm6Vy3

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 22, 2026

Signing a one year deal with Tampa Bay for $13 million this past February, the Rays stand 24-9 this year in games started by Martinez. 

Their ace Drew Rasmussen who will garnish AL Cy Young Award votes follows Saturday in Game 2 at American Family Field against Milwaukee’s RHP Logan Henderson. Then the series moves to St. Petersburg, Florida, with a raucous Tropicana Field crowd awaiting. 

Rays hitters will be challenged with that 100-MPH+ fastball from Misiorowski. Very compelling if he gets the ball twice in the series.

It’s that type of drama and the numbers show—teams who win Game 1 have gone on to win the World Series 77 percent of the time.

Miz, 101mph ⛽️

And fist pump pic.twitter.com/tIZ0RT7tHv

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 12, 2026

Yes, winning Game 1 does have advantages especially for the road team as they would return home with at least a split. I will say there is potential for this series to go seven games, leaving no doubt about compelling baseball. 

Will it be epic?

The answer is yes, it’s a matchup that has all the potential and names to be talked about for years to come. And that is always good for baseball. 

Hopefully a good one between two small markets as an ugly salary cap dispute looms between owners and players, one that will threaten to shut down our beautiful game.

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