Brewers vs. Rays: Who Will Win Their First World Series?

Vocabulary

Postseason – The games played after the regular season to decide the champion.

Example – The postseason is the most exciting time of the baseball year.

Sweep – To win every game in a series.

Example – The Brewers swept the Dodgers and did not lose a single game.

Drought – A long period of time without something you want.

Example – The team hopes to end its drought and win its first title.

Advantage – Something that puts you in a better position than others.

Example – Playing at home is a big advantage for many teams.

Pitcher – The player who throws the ball to the batter.

Example – A good pitcher can control a whole game.

The 2026 World Series: Brewers vs. Rays

The 2026 World Series begins on Friday, October 23, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Brewers will play the Tampa Bay Rays for the championship of Major League Baseball (MLB). There is one big reason to watch: neither team has ever won a World Series. That means a first-time champion is guaranteed this year.

If you do not know baseball well, here are the basics. Two teams play nine innings. In each inning, one team throws the ball while the other tries to hit it and score runs. The team with more runs at the end wins. The World Series is the final round of the MLB postseason. It is a best-of-seven series, so the first team to win four games becomes the champion. If the teams are tied after six games, Game 7 would be played on Saturday, October 31.

The Brewers had a very strong season. According to MLB.com, they won a franchise-record 103 games and had the most wins in the major leagues for the second year in a row. In the playoffs, they beat the San Diego Padres and then swept the Los Angeles Dodgers, the defending champions, in four straight games. Fans have noticed that the Brewers’ pitchers, especially the relief pitchers who enter late in the game, have been excellent. Players to watch include outfielder Jackson Chourio, catcher William Contreras, and Jake Bauers, who was named the most valuable player of the National League series. This is only the second World Series in Milwaukee’s history. The first was in 1982, when the team lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

The Rays finished with 98 wins and the best record in the American League. Because of that, they skipped the first round of the playoffs. They swept the New York Yankees, and then beat the Cleveland Guardians four games to two. CBS Sports reports that Freddy Peralta, a pitcher, was named the most valuable player of that series, and young star Junior Caminero hit an important home run in the final game. The Rays have played in the World Series twice before, in 2008 and 2020, and lost both times.

So both teams are chasing the same dream. Only five MLB teams have never won a championship, and one of them will finally cross that line. The Brewers have a small advantage. Because they had the better record this season, they get home-field advantage and will host Games 1, 2, 6, and 7. Even so, they only won two of their three regular-season games against the Rays, so nobody can say who is the favorite for sure.

Baseball has a special place in American culture. People call it the national pastime, and many fans remember going to games with their parents or grandparents. During the seventh inning, the crowd stands up and sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” together. The sport is also loved far beyond the United States, in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and the Dominican Republic. For many fans, the World Series is more than a sports event. It is a chance to share a story with friends and family night after night.

A short series can change quickly. One great pitch or one big home run can decide a game. That is why many people say anything can happen in October.

Discussion

Do you think it is more exciting to watch a team win its first title or a team that wins every year? Why?

What sports do people in your country follow with the same passion that Americans have for baseball?

Why do you think baseball became so popular in countries like Japan and South Korea?

What is the best sports memory you have, either as a fan or as a player?

Do you think playing at home is a real advantage in sports, or is it mostly in the players’ minds?

How do big sports events bring families or friends together in your culture?

Sources

MLB.com: 2026 MLB World Series FAQ: Schedule, Times, Teams and More

CBS Sports: 2026 MLB Playoff Bracket: Schedule and Scores as Rays Advance to World Series to Face Brewers