2026 World Series Game 1 Preview: Brewers vs. Rays
The 2026 World Series is set to begin with Game 1 on Friday, featuring the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays, both aiming for their first championship title. The game will take place at American Family Field in Milwaukee, with the first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
The Brewers, who finished the season with a record of 92-70, advanced to the World Series after defeating the Padres in the NLDS and sweeping the Dodgers in the NLCS. The Rays, with a record of 98-64, reached this stage by sweeping the Yankees in the ALDS and overcoming the Guardians in the ALCS. Milwaukee will start pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, who has a 16-5 record and a 1.80 ERA, while Tampa Bay counters with Nick Martinez, who has a 15-6 record and a 3.10 ERA.
In terms of betting odds, Milwaukee is favored at -189 on the money line, while Tampa Bay is at +159. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 runs. Expert Eric Cohen has noted a trend of postseason totals dropping and has expressed confidence in the potential for the game to exceed this total, projecting eight runs to be scored.
