After waiting 44 years to return to the World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers had to survive a stressful ninth inning in Game 1. A decent start from Jacob Misiorowski, a strong bullpen performance and an early rally added up to a 3-2 series-opening victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, even after closer Trevor Megill gave up a run in the ninth and was in danger of giving up more. Milwaukee leads 1-0, just as it did in its last Fall Classic in 1982, which the club lost in seven games. Game 2 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, with Rays ace Drew Rasmussen and Brewers rookie Logan Henderson set to take the mound. Both teams are seeking their first World Series title. The Brewers had reason to be confident heading into the first game. Even with Misiorowski’s lackluster performances in his two previous postseason starts, he remains the presumptive NL Cy Young Award winner, while the Rays opted to start Nick Martinez instead of Rasmussen on normal rest. Misiorowski opened the game with the fastest pitch in World Series history and was solid for the next five innings. His only blemish came thanks to an absolutely scorching line drive from Rays star Junior Caminero, who left the bat at 112.7 mph and had enough carry to fool Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell with a double. The Rays got their only run three pitches later. Misiorowski’s final line was 5 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts in 73 pitches. The Brewers didn’t push him into the sixth, instead opting to activate a bullpen that has been excellent all postseason long. That continued on Friday, with Abner Uribe, Aaron Ashby and Megill combining for six strikeouts over the final four innings. There was concern when Megill loaded the bases in the ninth inning, and even more so when a potentially game-ending double play was nullified after shortstop Cooper Pratt’s foot left second base. That put the tying run at third base with two outs, but Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca to end the game. On the offensive end, Milwaukee struck early. Martinez is something of a throwback pitcher compared to the high-velocity era that Misiorowski personifies. Martinez usually sits in the 90 degrees. In terms of rate, he struck out fewer than any other qualified pitcher in MLB during the regular season, threw more pitches in the strike zone than any other qualified pitcher, and walked the fewest batters of any qualified pitcher. It was a fascinating matchup, and it was the Brewers who ended up straying from their usual identity. That was for his benefit. The top of the Brewers lineup came out swinging, with Jackson Chourio and William Contreras recording hits on the first pitches they saw. Brewers captain Christian Yelich had the big hit among them, with an RBI triple. He then scored on Contreras’ single. The Brewers added an insurance run in the seventh inning with another first-pitch single from Chourio, which ended up being pretty important. If there’s one consolation for the Rays, this was a game the Brewers seemingly needed more. Tampa Bay certainly didn’t treat this game as a must-win, opting to employ players like Steven Matz, Kevin Kelly and Cole Sulser (their three least-used pitchers of the postseason) instead of any of their premium bullpen arms once Martinez was out with a one-run deficit. The Rays could have punted on this game, or at least decided it was a matchup not worth going too far. The second game looks like a much more favorable environment, but all the alarms will ring if this series leaves Milwaukee with the Brewers up 2-0. The Rays leave 2 runners in scoring position as the Brewers take Game 1… just barely. Megill allowed 1 run, 2 hits and 1 walk, but got the job done. The Brewers lead the World Series 1-0. Saturday, October 24, 2026 03:25 am UTC The call is overturned, meaning the runner was out at first, but Caminero is safe at second and a run is scored. That’s 2 outs, runners on second and third. And they are Brewers 3-2. Saturday, October 24, 2026 03:22 am UTC Liam Hicks appears to land on a 4-6-3 double play, which would have been the end of Game 1. But the play at second is under review. It looks like Pratt’s foot might have come out of the bag. Sat, October 24, 2026 03:20 am UTC Caminero walks and the bases are loaded for Liam Hicks. Sat, Oct 24, 2026 03:19 am UTC A double steal by Mateo and Simpson has the tying run in scoring position. Still one out with Caminero at the plate. Sat, Oct 24, 2026 03:17 AM UTC Chandler Simpson hits a hit up the middle and now the Rays have the tying run on base. Two on base, one out, Caminero comes up to bat. Jorge Mateo is a pinch runner for Aranda. Sat, Oct 24, 2026 03:15 am UTC Aranda singles for his third hit of the night, and the tying run approaches the bat with one out. Sat, Oct 24, 2026 03:14 am UTC Brewers closer Trevor Megill is on the mound to try to close this out for Milwaukee. They need three outs. Diaz ground out, and that’s one. Saturday, October 24, 2026 03:11 am UTC Cole Sulser induces a groundout from Sánchez, and that’s the end of the eighth inning. The lower tier of the Rays bullpen managed to hold the score late in Game 1. Saturday, October 24, 2026 03:05 am UTC Mitchell comes out softly, and then Pratt hits what was originally called an inning-ending double play. The Brewers challenge and upon review, Pratt is safe at first. So there are runners on first and third with 2 outs. Gary Sanchez will pinch hit for Frelick and the Rays are making a pitching change. Saturday, October 24, 2026 03:00 am UTC Turang walks on 5 pitches, and there are runners on first and second with no one out. Sat, Oct 24, 2026 02:58 am UTC Garrett Cleavinger is taking the mound for the Rays. This is his first appearance in October after missing the end of the regular season due to injury. Saturday, October 24, 2026 02:54 am UTC Contreras singles to lead off the bottom of the eighth and is on base for the third time today. That will be it for Kevin Kelly. He faced 4 batters and got 1 out. It’s not great. Saturday, October 24, 2026 02:50 am UTC Pinch hitter Ryan Vilade grounded out, and that’s another clean inning for Ashby. The Brewers are 3 outs away from a win in Game 1. Sat, Oct 24, 2026 02:49 am UTC Ashby strikes out Mesa and Williamson, and that’s 2 down in the top of the 8th. 24, 2026 02:40 am UTC Jack BaerYelich grounded out to end the inning, but the Rays now have another run to make up with six outs remaining. Saturday, October 24, 2026 02:37 am UTC Confirmed Jack BaerCall. Here comes a big moment for Christian Yelich. Saturday, October 24, 2026 02:37 a.m. M. UTCJack BaerSat, October 24, 2026 02:37 a.m. M. UTC Jack Baer Jake Bauers follows with a single and there are runners on the corners and no outs with Christian Yelich at bat. The Rays are challenging the fair call on the ball at the line and appear to be right judging by the replay.
