Rays-Brewers World Series Is Best Way To End 2026 Season
Rays and Brewers set for thrilling World Series showdown in 2026, defying narratives and delivering top-tier baseball.
3 min read
After more than six months, 162 regular-season games, and three rounds of playoffs, the best team in the American League will face the best team in the National League to determine baseball’s champion in 2026. Just as it should be.
To be sure, the best-vs.-best distinction is not hyperbole. While the AL champion Rays (98) and the NL champion Brewers (103) each led their league in wins, the label is also true according to a few key measures that are always important in baseball and tend to especially matter in the postseason. More on that in a bit.
But if you enjoy all-around good baseball, you’re going to love to watch the Rays and Brewers go at it in the 2026 World Series starting Friday night in Milwaukee.
YOUR TAMPA BAY RAYS ARE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
There are, however, some narratives you can safely ignore.
You may hear that this Fall Classic matchup will be a bore because neither the Rays nor the Brewers is a marquee team, and because neither has any stars. That’s nonsense — the talk of idiots. Point and laugh at anyone who says this.
You may also hear that MLB’s desire for a salary cap will take a hit because two low-payroll teams are the last ones standing. That’s also nonsense — the talk of, uh, the ill-informed. Kindly put a hand on the shoulder and get this person some help.
The reality is, just based on cold, hard baseball stats, a Rays-Brewers World Series really is the best way to conclude the 2026 season. So forget the outside narratives and just enjoy the show — because it should be a good one.
Whatever style of baseball you prefer, there’s a good chance you’ll see it during the series. Bunts? Yep. Big dingers? Almost certainly. Stolen bases? Going first to third? Lasers in the gap? Dominant pitching? It’s all just a day at the office for these teams, depending on the day.
But what exactly makes this the best matchup for the World Series, apart from win totals? Well, these two teams were the best or among the best this season at some things that tend to help win championships.
High team batting average? The Rays and Brewers, both at .258.
The teams with the most hits? The Brewers (1,422) and Rays (1,405).
The best-hitting teams with runners in scoring position? The Rays (.283) and Brewers (.276).
Hate hitter strikeouts? No team put more balls in play this season than the Rays (4,386).
Like an ongoing threat? No team reached base at a better clip than the Brewers (.341 OBP).
Like speed? The Rays (164) and Brewers (162) each finished in the top five in stolen bases.
Like pitching? The Brewers (.221) and Rays (.229) each finished in the top five in opponents’ average.
Bonus: Like to see history? No matter who wins, it’ll be the franchise’s first World Series title.
That’s just a sampling. From Junior Caminero to Yandy Díaz to Chandler Simpson to Jackson Chourio to Jacob Misiorowski to Jake Bauers and others, these teams have plenty of ingredients to cook up an exciting finale to the 2026 season. Pay the haters no mind.
As TNT’s broadcast of Game 6 concluded on Monday night, play-by-play man Brian Anderson said this World Series series could be referred to as an “if you know, you know” showdown. He’s right, and it’s actually the perfect way to describe it.
Because if you know baseball, you know you’re in for a treat.
Source: Daily Wire
