World Series Preview: Brewers Start as Favourites Against the Rays in Chase for a First Title

The World Series begins in just a couple of days, with the Milwaukee Brewers facing the Tampa Bay Rays. After a postseason full of enjoyable games, all eyes are now on this series, and especially on the Brewers, who are chasing the first World Series title in their history.

Analysts say the Brewers are the team that is hard to bet against. They have been the best team in baseball all season and have looked absolutely elite in the postseason, and that consistency makes Milwaukee the favourite for the series as well.

The Brewers reached the final by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. After the Game 4 win at Dodger Stadium on October 15, Jackson Chourio and his teammates celebrated in the clubhouse. Jake Bauers was named NLCS MVP, though the team has so many good players that picking out one man for the credit is difficult.

The Tampa Bay Rays, meanwhile, punched their ticket by taking down the Cleveland Guardians, winning Game 6 in St. Petersburg on October 19. A major challenge awaits them, however, against Milwaukee's elite pitching staff.

The numbers underline that challenge: the Rays had the second-lowest OPS in baseball this season against pitches of 98 mph or faster. Outside of Jacob Misiorowski, the Brewers' bullpen can fire pitches in at that speed. Tampa Bay has struck out 66 times in the postseason and must find a way to make contact.

The edge in the starting rotation, though, probably goes to the Rays. Drew Rasmussen is a finesse pitcher, but he has been elite. Freddy Peralta used to pitch for Milwaukee, so how he performs against his former team will be fascinating. Nick Martinez has also been strong for them, and they have a good bullpen too.

For the Brewers, the most talked-about name is William Contreras. He has delivered numerous big hits, and as catcher he can call great games for the pitching staff, which could give him an edge. He also had a good series the one time the teams met this season, and many tip him as the favourite for the World Series MVP award.

Under manager Pat Murphy, the Brewers have their best chance yet to win the title; a first World Series crown would be the biggest achievement in franchise history. For the Rays, the realistic path runs through Rasmussen winning two games and likely being involved in a third.

Weighing everything, most analysts expect the Brewers to win the series, probably by a 4–2 margin, though Tampa Bay's strong rotation could turn any single game.

The first game takes place within days. Whether the Brewers live up to their billing as the best team in baseball, or the Rays spring a surprise, will be decided on the field.