Back home at American Family Field, the Brewers vie to put an end to the 2026 MLB Postseason. Not just that, but snap their ringless drought in franchise history. Both Milwaukee and Tampa Bay are among the five teams that have never won the World Series. In 2026, that list will shrink to four organizations.

However, only the Brewers will get the chance to do it in Game 5. The Rays are playing for their lives, the Brewers for the chance to tell the story for the rest of theirs. If Game 4 was any indication, fans across MLB should be in for another instant classic in Game 5 of the 2026 World Series.

What happens if Brewers win against Rays?

The Brewers will be crowned the 2026 World Series champions with a victory at home against the Rays in Game 5. Since taking a 3-0 series lead, Milwaukee is only one win away from their first championship in franchise history. As they learned in Game 4, however, that’s the hardest triumph to secure.

On the other hand, the Rays would see their hopes be crushed to pieces with a loss in Game 5, and they would remain one of four teams yet to hoist the Commissioner’s Trophy in MLB.

What happens if Brewers and Rays tie?

Just as it happened in Game 4, if the Brewers and Rays remain tied at the end of the ninth inning the game will head to extra innings. With no ties allowed in MLB Postseason, Game 5 could go as long as needed until a victor is decided at American Family Field.

Contrary to regular season games, there is no extra-inning rule (ghost runner at second base) in the playoffs or World Series, that means Milwaukee and Tampa Bay will truly have to earn everything in extra innings.

If the Rays prevail in the extra inning, they will force a Game 6 back in Florida. If the Brewers finish on top, the 2026 MLB Postseason will be over, and the home team crowned. That would also mark the unofficial start of the MLB offseason, in which both the Brewers and Rays have several players set to become free agents.

What happens if Brewers lose against Rays?

If the Brewers fall at home in Game 5, all hope will not be lost, but they might start panicking. The 2026 World Series will head to a Game 6 back in St. Petersburg and what once was a comfortable 3-0 series lead for Milwaukee will turn into a narrow 3-2 lead in a two-day span.

No team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the World Series, but there’s a first time for everything and the Brewers will start getting anxious they might be on the wrong side of history.

To avoid all that, the easiest way out is for the Brewers to secure one more win and hoist the World Series. Unfortunately for them, there is nothing easy in doing that.

Key takeaways

• The Brewers are up 3-1 in the World Series entering Game 5 at home.
• A Brewers win in Game 5 will clinch the 2026 World Series.
• A Brewers loss in Game 5 will take the World Series back to Tampa Bay for Game 6.

After one-run games in the first two matches of the 2026 World Series, fans across MLB expected the best-of-seven showdown to remain evenly matched when Tampa Bay returned home. However, Milwaukee had other plans and handed the fans in St. Petersburg, Florida, a colossal defeat by a score of 10-1.

Now, there is no margin for error for the Rays, whose backs are against the wall and whose season is on the line. Unless they come up with a plan—and come away with a win—fast, they will watch the Brewers hoist the 2026 World Series trophy on their home turf, under the stunned, teary-eyed gaze of fans and stingrays at Tropicana Field.

What happens if Brewers win vs Rays in Game 4?

The Milwaukee Brewers will be crowned 2026 World Series champions with a road win against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. It would be the first championship in franchise history for the Brewers, making it a historic triumph. The Brewers would finally abandon the list of MLB teams with no World Series to their name, leaving only: the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Colorado Rockies.

If the Brewers close out the World Series against the Rays in four games, they would become the first team in MLB history to sweep both the League Championship Series (LCS) and the World Series since the former became a best-of-seven series.

A Milwaukee win in Florida would also bring an end to the 2026 MLB postseason and officially mean that a long list of Brewers players would become free agents heading into the offseason. Dealing with those contract situations while sipping champagne is far better than the alternative: dwelling on a World Series loss, which would be the case for Rays players set to hit free agency if they lose.

What happens if Brewers and Rays tie in Game 4?

If Game 4 of the 2026 World Series remains tied at the end of the ninth inning, the game will head to extra innings, as ties are not allowed in MLB. Unlike in the regular season, though, there is no extra-inning (ghost runner) rule in the postseason.

The game will go on for as many extra innings as necessary until a winner is decided. If the Brewers finish on top, they will be crowned champions. If the Rays prevail, they will force another elimination game in Game 5 back in Wisconsin.

What happens if Brewers lose vs Rays in Game 4?

Indeed, the Brewers would love to close out the series in four games, but a loss in Game 4 wouldn’t be terrible, either. If the Rays defeat the Brewers, the 2026 World Series will be extended to a Game 5 at American Family Field. Milwaukee would then get the chance to complete a gentleman’s sweep by defeating Tampa Bay in five games.

Though discouraging, a loss in Game 4 would give the Brewers another chance to hoist their long-awaited first title in front of their home fans in Milwaukee.

As for the Rays, they are in deep trouble, and not even a win in Game 4 may save them. No team in MLB history has come back from a 3-0 deficit in the World Series, and it will take a miraculous, never-before-seen rally for the Rays to complete the reverse sweep. Still, they’ve got to start somewhere, and a win in Game 4 at home would go a long way.

Key takeaways

• A 10-1 Game 3 blowout gave the Milwaukee Brewers a commanding 2026 World Series lead.
• Their first franchise title awaits the Milwaukee Brewers with a Game 4 road victory.
• No MLB team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficitin World Series history.

“This is a best-of-seven series. So, it looks like we’re in the driver’s seat, but that doesn’t, you know, it’s baseball. Anything can happen,” Murphy said during his press conference. “But I like the way we battle.”

The 10–1 victory in Game 3 is a clear testament to this team’s dominance and its impressive unbeaten run. While nothing has been decided just yet, the Brewers are in an outstanding position to be crowned champions of the season.

“I mean, the guys play hard. You know, it’s evident the guys play hard. They just, you know, they don’t give in. And they make every pitch count, and that’s what it takes to win,” Murphy also added, via FOX Sports. “And that’s the same thing that Tampa did all year, you know. That team is very, very capable.”

The Rays on the ropes

The Brewers absolutely dominated Game 3, fueled by an unbelievable 8-run, two-out rally in the 5th inning where their lineup piled on eight consecutive hits. They racked up 16 total hits on the night while holding the Rays to just four.

The absolute star of the game was Jackson Chourio, who went an explosive 4-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored, an RBI double, and a stolen base, setting the tempo for the entire offense. Special credit also goes to starter Robert Gasser, who delivered a masterpiece on the mound, tossing six shutout innings while giving up just one hit and facing the minimum number of batters.

Do or die

Game 4 goes down tonight, Tuesday, October 27, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. If the Rays manage to pull off a win and extend the series, Game 5 will be played right back at Tropicana Field tomorrow night, Wednesday, October 28.

Key takeaways

• The Milwaukee Brewers lead the World Series 3–0 after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Milwaukee won Game 3 by a score of 10–1 at Tropicana Field.
• Jackson Chourio went 4-for-5 with two runs, an RBI double, and a stolen base.

Tropicana Field will host a matchup in which the home team desperately needs a win to keep its championship hopes alive. For Pat Murphy’s team, however, the outlook is much brighter after securing victories in the first two games of the series.

The home crowd will look to make its presence felt in the stands and put pressure on a Milwaukee team that seems determined not to give an inch. Can Tampa Bay take advantage of home-field advantage and keep its championship hopes alive?

What happens if the Rays win vs Brewers today?

If the Tampa Bay Rays manage to defeat the Brewers at home, they will secure their first win of the World Series, cutting Milwaukee’s series lead to 2–1. Protecting home-field advantage could prove crucial in determining how the remainder of the series unfolds.

For Pat Murphy’s team, a loss would bring an end to an impressive winning streak, as its last defeat came against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS. The series would remain alive until at least Game 5.

What happens if the Rays and Brewers tie?

Should Tampa Bay and Milwaukee remain deadlocked through nine, they’ll play as many extra innings as it takes for someone to claim the win—either by leading after a complete frame or via a walk-off hit from the Brewers in the bottom half.

Keep in mind that October baseball plays by different rules: the regular-season “ghost runner” rule is out, meaning both teams will have to earn their baserunners the old-fashioned way on clean paths until a victor is crowned.

What happens if the Rays lose to the Brewers?

The worst-case scenario for the Rays would be a loss to the Brewers. In that situation, Kevin Cash’s team would fall behind 3–0 in the series, leaving Milwaukee just one win away from the championship. Another knockout blow in Game 4 could seal the title for the Brewers.

Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at 8 PM ET, once again at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Key takeaways

• Tropicana Field hosts Game 3 between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers.
• A Rays win would cut the Milwaukee Brewers’ series lead to 2–1.
• Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at Tropicana Field.

“Nobody in this clubhouse wants to play the baseball we’ve played the last couple of days,” he said. “That’s not who we are.” There is no doubt that this team needs to improve as soon as possible to keep its World Series hopes alive.

Tense moments unfolded after the Brewers tied the game in the sixth inning. Chandler Simpson dropped a fly ball, a pivotal moment that threw Caminero off his game at a crucial point in the matchup.

“I’m trying to help the team, get our heads up,” Caminero said regarding this situation, according to The Athletic. “Just trying to create some energy and get some life back into us.” He also added: “We had to get outs. At the moment, we weren’t doing our job.”

Rays still unable to show their best form

The Tampa Bay Rays missed a prime opportunity to level the World Series, squandering an early lead to fall 5-4 to the Milwaukee Brewers and slipping into a daunting 0-2 series deficit. Tampa Bay jumped out to a commanding 4-0 advantage in the top of the first inning—headlined by a two-run home run from catcher Liam Hicks—before the offense went completely stagnant, managing just seven total hits on the night.

Drew Rasmussen struggled to maintain stability, surrendering three earned runs on four hits and two walks across 3.2 innings. Milwaukee systematically eroded the margin, drawing even on a Sal Frelick solo home run in the sixth before taking a 5-4 lead on a go-ahead single in the seventh.

The Rays brought the potential tying run to third base with two outs in the ninth, but Yandy Diaz struck out swinging against closer Trevor Megill to seal Tampa Bay’s second consecutive setback.

A crucial Game 3 for Tampa Bay

Game 3 of the World Series is heading down to Florida this Tuesday, October 27, 2026, where the Tampa Bay Rays will host the Milwaukee Brewers at Tropicana Field

Another loss would leave them virtually on the ropes, as the series is a best-of-seven. The Rays must win at all costs if they hope to stay alive and keep their dream within reach.

Key takeaways

• Junior Caminero expressed frustration after the Tampa Bay Rays’ second World Series loss.
• The Tampa Bay Rays fell into a 0-2 World Series deficit against Milwaukee.
• Game 3 of the World Series takes place Tuesday at Tropicana Field in Florida.

“If anyone doesn’t notice the contributions of Contreras, he was the player of the game. He was unbelievable,” Murphy said, per local radio host Vincent Hesprich. It’s clear that the manager saw something in his players’ performances that others failed to recognize.

The first win at this stage in 44 years was a huge relief for Milwaukee. With Game 2 just around the corner, Murphy is confident not only in what Contreras can bring to the table, but also in the rest of his squad.

Contreras, the silent hero

William Contreras quietly put on a masterclass as the unsung hero of Game 1, leading the Brewers to a tense 3-2 victory over the Rays to kick off the World Series. Going 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored, he reached base safely in three of his four plate appearances and was an absolute menace on-base.

While the flashier power hitters might grab the back-page headlines, it was Contreras’ relentless professional at-bats—including a crucial clutch RBI single in the middle innings—that anchored Milwaukee’s offense, handled the pitching staff brilliantly under pressure, and ultimately delivered the game-winning momentum when it mattered most.

Other notable performances

Alongside William Contreras, Christian Yelich set the tone early by going 1-for-4 with an electric RBI triple in the first inning to spark Milwaukee’s offense. Jackson Chourio was an absolute spark plug at the top of the lineup, going 2-for-4 with an RBI single and scoring a run.

On the mound, Jacob Misiorowski turned heads by tossing 5.0 strong innings with 3 strikeouts—even throwing the fastest pitch in World Series history at 103.5 mph—before closer Trevor Megill locked down the chaotic 9th inning to secure his first save of the series.

What’s next on the World Series schedule?

Game 2 keeps the party in Milwaukee at American Family Field on Saturday, October 24 before both teams head south for a three-game stretch at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. That Florida leg features Game 3 on Monday, October 26, Game 4 on Tuesday, October 27, and—if necessary—Game 5 on Wednesday, October 28.

Should the series stretch beyond that, everyone travels back to Milwaukee for the final showdowns at American Family Field, with Game 6 set for Friday, October 30 and a potential winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday, October 31.

Key takeaways

• Milwaukee Brewers defeated Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 1 of the World Series.
• Manager Pat Murphy named William Contreras the player of the game after his performance.
• Game 2 takes place at American Family Field on Saturday, October 24.

“We went in there ready. We went in there with the feeling of: let’s play pitch-to-pitch in the now and see who wins,” Murphy said, per The Herd with Colin Cowherd.

The strategy, at least from an emotional standpoint, worked exceptionally well. Milwaukee won four consecutive games, swept the reigning MLB champions, and will now look to cap off a remarkable season by capturing the ultimate prize.

Chasing their first World Series title

The Milwaukee Brewers are hunting for that elusive first-ever World Series title, looking to end one of the longest championship droughts in Major League Baseball. In their franchise history, the Crew has only made it to the Fall Classic once, back in 1982.

Known as Harvey’s Wallbangers, that legendary 1982 squad pushed the St. Louis Cardinals all the way to a deciding Game 7 before falling just short with a 3–4 series record. Across those seven games, Milwaukee batted .269 with 64 hits, 5 home runs, and 33 total runs scored, but the franchise hasn’t returned to the World Series stage since.

Now, the Brewers are desperate to finally rewrite that history, break their 0-for-1 Fall Classic record, and bring the Commissioner’s Trophy to American Family Field for the first time ever.

World Series schedule

The 2026 World Series showdown between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays kicks off at American Family Field in Milwaukee for Game 1 on Friday, October 23, and Game 2 on Saturday, October 24.

The series then shifts to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg for Game 3 on Monday, October 26, Game 4 on Tuesday, October 27, and a potential Game 5 on Wednesday, October 28. If the battle for the trophy goes the distance, it returns to Milwaukee for Game 6 on Friday, October 30, and a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday, October 31.

Key takeaways

• Milwaukee Brewers swept Los Angeles Dodgers to advance to the 2026 World Series.
• Milwaukee Brewers chase first World Series title since their only appearance in 1982.
• Game 1 of 2026 World Series begins Friday, October 23 at American Family Field.

Apparently, not enough to be convinced that the Yankees may still make it a pennant race with the Rays and come away on top, but he sure is confident that once the postseason arrives, the Bronx Bombers can turn it up a notch. And who knows? Why not win the World Series?

It’s happened before, and the Yankees have already received a good omen from the New York Giants and New York Jets. The signs may be out there. In case they aren’t clear enough, Bellinger’s latest statement might help out even more. The Rays, and frankly, the entire MLB landscape, have been put on notice.

“Yeah, I mean, [the Rays] are playing tremendous baseball. It’s tough to climb up in the standings if they keep winning. Mathematically pretty tough, we have got to keep on rolling,” Bellinger said postgame, via YES Network. “Obviously, the goal is win the division, rest your guys, get those extra off days, that’s always goal No. 1. Ultimately, World Series champions have come out of the Wild Card.”

Decisive Rays-Yankees series

Although Bellinger’s admission after the defeat in Phoenix sounded almost like the Yankees were waving the white flag in the pennant race against the Rays, there is still some baseball left to play, and a couple of very meaningful games on the horizon. New York and Tampa Bay will meet for a four-game series at Yankee Stadium (Sept. 22-24, with a doubleheader on Sept. 22) that could very well decide who wins the American League East division.

If the Boston Red Sox can get a win in the rubber match against the Rays while the Yankees secure the series against the D-Backs, then a sweep by New York against Tampa Bay would put both teams at even-Stevens. A sweep is the only way for the Yankees to get the tiebreaker over the Rays, as they are currently down 3-6 in the season’s head-to-head.

Another Rays win over the Pinstripers will clinch the tiebreaker for them. It’s a tough ask for New York, but not impossible. Obviously, without Judge, the climb is only steeper, but it may be perfect timing for a new miracle in the Bronx.

NY Yankees and TB Rays’ remaining schedule

With the Yankees on a day off and no news on Judge’s front, fans can’t help but let their minds run free. Of course, it doesn’t take long for them to fear the worst. During a public appearance, Cone didn’t rule out Judge sitting out the remainder of the 2026 MLB regular season.

“I’m concerned. [Judge] needs the at-bats. Lower-leg issue, calf. We just don’t know. We don’t know until we know in terms of how severe it is. Is he going to get any more at-bats before the end of the regular season? It’s a real question mark right now,” David Cone admitted during an interview on Brandon Tierney’s BT Unleashed.

Currently working as a color commentator, Cone spends a lot of time close to the Yankees. Therefore, his worries about Judge’s untimely injury perfectly reflect how most fans feel. Even if most of the statements coming out of the clubhouse are encouraging, the Pinstripers’ fanbase will hold on to its anguish. If bad news come up, at least they won’t be as heartbroken.

Yankees hope Judge’s injury isn’t serious

It’s still too early to tell. For the time being, the Bronx Bombers remain confident, though wary. Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed the next steps for Judge after the 5-4 loss to the Twins, and that remains the plan going forward.

Based on Judge’s initial reaction, the setback appears to be mild. Judge took the matter lightly and, to some extent, seemed like he expected something like this to come up in his effort to ramp up his workload and get back into midseason rhythm.

Judge rehab-assignment leap draws critics

Skipping a rehab assignment and trying to fit weeks of spring-training preparation into the final weeks of the regular season, where every at-bat carries more weight, was always a decision that would be revisited the second adversity knocked on Judge’s door.

Guess what? Adversity is now standing on the front steps of the Yankees’ household, and it didn’t take long for fans and analysts across MLB to point to Boone and company’s decision. Regardless, the overall mood throughout the Bronx Bombers’ clubhouse remains calm. Clearly, they aren’t letting the outside noise inside the building.

Potential setbacks were always factored in when New York activated Judge off the 60-day IL. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Judge’s latest issue was unrelated to the stress fracture in his first right rib that sidelined him for months in 2026. Having an alarm go off in a different part of his body is far from ideal, but at least it may not be because he was rushed back into action.

With the MLB postseason approaching and the World Series looming on the horizon, watching the G-Men and Gang Green win their season debuts may have been all Yankees fans could have asked for. The Giants and Jets snapped a 17-year hex with their Week 1 victories in 2026, and the Yankees’ World Series drought could enjoy the same fate because of it.

“The last time the Giants and Jets both won season openers… The New York Yankees won the World Series less than two months later,” The Yankee Report stated on X.

Boasting a Cy Young Award favorite in Cam Schlittler, having Aaron Judge back from the IL, and sitting at 86-63 on the 2026 MLB season, it may not have been encouraging enough. But watching the Jets and Giants win in Week 1 may have been the final confirmation that this year might be special in the Bronx. Never has a Week 1 victory meant so much in New York.

Throwback to 2009 in New York

Back in 2009, the Giants and Jets started their NFL seasons on a Sunday, Sept. 13, too. The G-Men played a divisional opponent, the Washington Commanders, at home, while the Jets played on the road against a Southern AFC opponent, the Houston Texans.

The Giants defeated the Commanders in a one-possession game, 23-17, just like they did against the Dallas Cowboys 17 years later. The Jets won by a larger margin on the road against the Texans, just like they did against the Tennessee Titans in 2026. The signs are there for the taking, at least for those not too blind to see them or too desperate to search for them.

As for the Yankees, they were doing a bit better on Sept. 13, 2009, than they are on that exact date in 2026. The Bronx Bombers were 92-52 by then, well en route to a statement-sending 103-59 record to end the season. Still, the best was yet to come.

NY Yankees’ last World Series

The New York Yankees went 11-4 in the 2009 MLB postseason, en route to their 27th World Series championship—their fifth since the Commissioner’s Trophy was introduced in 1985. They swept the Minnesota Twins in three games in the ALDS, eliminated the Los Angeles Angels in six games in the ALCS, and defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series with a 4-2 series win.

NY Yankees’ rooting guide for Week 2 of the NFL

Going into the NFL’s Week 2, the Yankees will have to root for both New York-based clubs. In fact, if they want to keep the good omens coming, they need the Jets and Giants to start the season 3-0, just like it happened 17 years ago.

It will be much easier said than done, especially considering the Jets will face the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions next, while the Giants will take on the Los Angeles Rams next Monday night.

Perhaps the Yankees will be better off focusing on themselves. Week 1’s omen was enough fuel for the superstitious, and it may be best not to get greedy.

During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Yankees infielder expressed complete confidence in his team’s championship aspirations. “I mean, to win the World Series. (We’re gonna do it) for sure,” Chisholm said with a smile when asked about his expectations for the 2026 season.

The confidence comes despite an up-and-down campaign for Chisholm. While he continues to provide energy and excitement whenever he takes the field, the 27-year-old has not produced at his usual offensive level, entering June with a .699 OPS.

Even so, his belief in the Yankees’ potential has not wavered as the club continues to chase the top spot in the American League East, with the NY Yankees reportedly not alone in sweepstakes for Tarik Skubal adding another layer to their midseason storyline.

Chisholm Jr. remains confident in Yankees’ championship chances

Chisholm has become one of the most recognizable personalities in baseball since arriving in New York. His aggressive style of play and outspoken confidence have made him a fan favorite, and those same traits were on display during his national television appearance.

The Yankees entered the season with legitimate World Series expectations after reaching the Fall Classic in 2024. Although they fell short against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the organization has maintained its championship mindset while building around stars such as Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and Chisholm.

Yankees still have work to do in competitive AL race

While Chisholm’s prediction generated headlines, there is still a long road ahead before October arrives. The Yankees remain in the playoff hunt but face stiff competition in the AL East, where every game could impact postseason positioning.

Baseball’s postseason is notoriously unpredictable, making championship guarantees difficult to back up months in advance. Still, Chisholm’s comments reflect the confidence that exists inside the Yankees clubhouse as the team continues its pursuit of a first World Series title since 2009.