First pitch: 8:00 p.m. ET (approx. 8:08 p.m. in some reports)
Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
TV: FOX / FOX Deportes
The Brewers lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 after a 3-2 win in Game 1 on Friday night. Milwaukee scored two early runs and added an insurance run in the seventh; Tampa Bay mounted a late rally but left the tying run stranded in the ninth. This is the first World Series appearance for the Brewers since 1982 and the first for the Rays since 2020. Both clubs were No. 1 seeds in their respective leagues.
Starting Pitchers
Tampa Bay: RHP Drew Rasmussen (16-5, 2.67 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 174 K in regular season). Postseason: 2-0, 1.29 ERA over 21 IP with strong strikeout numbers and elite command. Former Brewers prospect (drafted by Milwaukee, traded in 2021).
Milwaukee: RHP Logan Henderson (11-3, 2.47 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 110 K). Rookie standout with excellent home numbers; postseason work has been shorter and more mixed (limited strikeouts in early outings).
Current Weather Forecast
Mild conditions expected at first pitch. Highs in the mid-to-upper 60s°F during the day under partly to mostly cloudy skies, with temperatures falling into the 50s overnight. Light south/southeast winds (around 5–15 mph). Low precipitation chance. Roof status at American Family Field typically remains open in favorable weather but can close if needed.
Injury Reports
Tampa Bay Rays (key absences):
Shane McClanahan (SP, forearm) — out for postseason.
Gavin Lux (INF/OF, shoulder), Edwin Uceta (RP, shoulder), Jon Heasley (RP, elbow), Jacob Melton (OF, hamstring), Ryan Pepiot (hip) — longer-term IL.
Core lineup and bullpen remain largely available; Rasmussen is healthy and locked in.
Milwaukee Brewers:
Grant Anderson (RP, biceps), Brian Fitzpatrick (RP, elbow), Quinn Priester (wrist), Angel Zerpa (forearm) — IL.
Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) was activated/added to the World Series roster after a long layoff.
Primary rotation and position-player group intact.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups / Rosters Highlights
Rays key bats: Junior Caminero (power leader, 42 HR in regular season), Jonathan Aranda, Yandy Díaz, Chandler Simpson, Jonny DeLuca, Liam Hicks. Contact and opportunistic offense.
Brewers key bats: Christian Yelich, William Contreras, Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, Cooper Pratt. Strong home production and timely hitting shown in Game 1.
Rasmussen’s elite command and low barrel rate vs. Milwaukee’s aggressive, high-contact approach.
Henderson’s home dominance and strike-throwing vs. Tampa Bay’s patient but strikeout-prone lineup at times.
Bullpens: Both deep and effective in October (Brewers’ late-inning unit, including Trevor Megill, shut down Game 1 threats).
Defense and baserunning: Rays’ speed and Brewers’ athleticism (Turang, Chourio) factor in close games.
Projected lineups will emphasize Caminero in the heart of the order for Tampa Bay and Yelich/Contreras/Chourio for Milwaukee. Full 26-man World Series rosters were set prior to Game 1.
Recent Team Forms
Rays: 98-64 regular season (AL East winners). Strong postseason path (defeated Guardians in ALCS). 7-3 in last 10 overall heading into the series; low-scoring, pitching-driven style. Lost a tight Game 1 after generating traffic late.
Brewers: 103-59 regular season (NL Central winners). Dominant postseason (swept Dodgers in NLCS). 9-1 in last 10; excellent home record and bullpen. Game 1 win improved them to 5-0 at home this postseason. Both teams rely on pitching depth and opportunistic offense. Milwaukee has the momentum and home-field edge.
Series History
This is the first World Series meeting between the franchises. In the 2026 regular season the Brewers held a 3-1 edge in the four-game set. Milwaukee’s home dominance and recent playoff form give them the early series edge, while Tampa Bay’s pitching depth (highlighted by Rasmussen) offers a clear path to even it.
Betting Trends
Trends favor low-scoring affairs given both starters’ profiles, strong bullpens, and Game 1’s 5 total runs. Public may lean toward the home favorite, but Rasmussen’s postseason dominance creates value on the visitors. Unders have been popular in recent Brewers home games and postseason pitching duels.
GAME ODDS
Tampa Bay Rays 6.5
Milwaukee Brewers – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 23, 2026
