Two baseball clubs that have never held the sport's highest prize now stand at the threshold of their first title, and in doing so they embody an old human question about whether skill, patience and shared purpose can outweigh the advantage that money tends to buy. The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays meet in the 122nd World Series, a meeting that guarantees a first-time champion, a rarity not seen since 1920. Three Guardian writers see the outcome turning on the bullpen, on how baserunners are handled, and on whether a budget-minded culture can hold its nerve against the long shadow of bi
World Series 2026 Preview: Rays and Brewers Chase First Titles in a Razor-Thin Matchup
A first-time champion is guaranteed
Mark
Why does this World Series feel different from most?
Mimi
Because a first-time champion is guaranteed. The Guardian says that has happened only once before since 1920, and both clubs started the year with long odds: 1.1% for the Rays, 2.1% for the Brewers, per FanGraphs in April.
Mark
And the writers tie that to money?
Mimi
Yes, though they split. Evans says money undermines happiness for big markets. Graham says it still buys depth, and worries owners will use this series in the labor fight over a salary cap.
Luke
Worth saying that's opinion. The salary cap being on the table is stated, but nothing here confirms what happens next, including a lockout. It's a possibility, not a fact.
Mark
What do they think decides the games?
Mimi
Milwaukee's bullpen, which only the Yankees beat in regular-season ERA, against Tampa's baserunning and its big three: Díaz, Aranda and Caminero.
Luke
The picks are predictions by three writers. Two choose Rays in seven, and the third's only stated call is a Tampa seven-game win in a bold prediction. That's not a forecast model.
Mark
And the playful stuff, like the Devil Rays name?
Mimi
Clearly bold-prediction territory. The 12-3 record in throwbacks is cited, but a rename is just one writer's guess.
Luke
Right. Nothing here shows the owners are considering it.
Le Pouls
- A first-time champion is guaranteed, and both clubs carry the long-shot weight of teams nobody expected to reach this stage.
- Money versus culture is the fault line, with a coming labor fight over a salary cap looming behind every pitch.
- Milwaukee's bullpen must stay fresh, since a Game 4 bullpen start in Tampa could drain the unit the Brewers lean on.
- Tampa Bay is trying to make every baserunner dangerous while waiting for Díaz, Aranda and Caminero to heat up together.
- The writers land on a Rays victory in seven, 4-3, a prediction that still feels close to a coin toss.
Two baseball clubs that have never held the sport's highest prize now stand at the threshold of their first title, and in doing so they embody an old human question about whether skill, patience and shared purpose can outweigh the advantage that money tends to buy. The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays meet in the 122nd World Series, a meeting that guarantees a first-time champion, a rarity not seen since 1920. Three Guardian writers see the outcome turning on the bullpen, on how baserunners are handled, and on whether a budget-minded culture can hold its nerve against the long shadow of big-market spending and a looming labor fight over salaries.
The 122nd World Series pits the Milwaukee Brewers against the Tampa Bay Rays, and one thing is already certain: a team that has never won a championship will be crowned. The Guardian's writers, Alan Evans, Bryan Armen Graham and David Lengel, each take up the question of how it might be decided.
They start with money. Evans argues that big-market pressure can sap the joy of baseball, since anything short of a title feels like failure there, while the Rays and Brewers have already had successful seasons. Graham is more cautious: money can buy depth and insurance, but it cannot guarantee October results, and he warns owners not to use this matchup as leverage in the coming labor fight. Lengel credits culture, with disciplined play and clear roles for every player.
For Milwaukee, the writers see the bullpen as the key. Jacob Misiorowski may be the finest pitcher in the world, but relievers matter more than ever, and the Brewers' sweep of the Dodgers means their arms start rested. Graham wants them to make Tampa chase, while Lengel cautions that Game 4 in Tampa may become a bullpen game that tests their depth.
Tampa Bay's hope lies in inventiveness. With Shane McClanahan injured, the Rays' use of opening pitchers could be a real edge, and if Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero catch fire together, their lineup is hard to silence. Graham urges the Rays to turn every baserunner into a threat.
The predictions are playful. Evans imagines Tampa clinching in Devil Rays throwbacks and fans pushing the owners to restore the old name. Graham foresees a managerial decision that briefly overshadows the series, and Lengel imagines Tampa winning in seven while fans suddenly fall for Tropicana Field.
All three choose a Ray for MVP: Chandler Simpson, Junior Caminero and Drew Rasmussen. Evans and Graham both pick the Rays in seven, 4-3, a result they see as close to a tossup but shaped by Tampa's versatility.
The 122nd World Series will be played between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays, and one fact about it is already settled: a team that has never won a championship will win this one. By the Guardian's count, that has happened only once before in a Fall Classic since 1920. Three of the paper's writers, Alan Evans, Bryan Armen Graham and David Lengel, set out to say how it will be decided.
They begin with money. Evans argues that this series shows cash can actively undermine baseball happiness. For big-market clubs, anything short of a title is a letdown, while the Rays, given a 1.1% chance of winning it all by FanGraphs in April, and the Brewers, given 2.1%, have already had successful seasons. Graham is less sure. He says October still resists being bought outright, but money buys depth and insurance, even if it cannot stop a $300m hitter from grounding into double plays. He also warns against letting owners use this matchup as leverage in the coming labor fight, with a salary cap on the table and another long lockout possible. Lengel credits culture: no careless mistakes, no getting comfortable, and clear roles for every player.
For Milwaukee, the writers see the bullpen as the route to a title. Jacob Misiorowski may be the best pitcher in the world, Evans writes, but relievers matter more than ever, and only the Yankees had a better collective regular-season ERA than the Brewers. Sweeping the Dodgers means everyone starts the series rested. Graham says Milwaukee should make Tampa Bay chase: get ahead in counts, limit walks and force the Rays to string hits together. Lengel adds a caution. The Rays will try to run up relievers' innings, and Game 4 in Tampa will be a bullpen game for Milwaukee, so the unit must be kept fresh.
Tampa Bay's path, they say, runs through inventiveness. Ace Shane McClanahan is injured, but the Rays' occasional use of opening pitchers may be an even bigger advantage in a short series. At the plate, if two of Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero get hot together, the lineup will be hard to quiet. Graham wants the Rays to turn every baserunner into a problem by stealing bases and taking extra bases, without giving away outs. Lengel notes that when the trio struggled in the ALCS, the Guardians took two games. He also says manager Kevin Cash must outwork Milwaukee's Pat Murphy, who he thinks won't make the mistakes Dave Roberts did.
The bold predictions are playful. Evans says Tampa Bay will clinch in Devil Rays throwback jerseys, in which they went 12-3 in the regular season and are 2-0 in the postseason, and that fan demand will push the newish owners to restore the old name within a year. Graham predicts someone will lose a game after pulling a seemingly untouchable starter, and the argument will briefly eclipse the series. Lengel imagines Club Tropicana by Wham! as the Rays' theme, Tampa winning in seven and fans suddenly loving Tropicana Field, demanding the owners drop plans for a new stadium.
For MVP, all three choose a Ray. Evans picks Chandler Simpson, the small-ball talisman and homer-averse folk hero, since tight games turn on a stolen base or a timely bunt. Graham picks Caminero, for the one emphatic swing and slow home-run trot that could turn a series of tiny margins. Lengel picks Drew Rasmussen, the 31-year-old righty and sixth-round pick, who like Freddy Peralta has worn a Brewers jersey.
Evans and Graham both pick the Rays in seven, 4-3. Evans calls it close to a tossup but trusts Tampa's versatility, its easy win in baseball's toughest division and Cash's managerial nous. Graham trusts the Rays to manufacture offense and compares the matchup to the 1991 Twins-Braves World Series, expecting seven games of mounting tension. Lengel names no explicit series score, but his bold call has Tampa winning in seven.
Citations marquantes
Money buys depth and insurance, even if it can't guarantee your $300m hitters won't ground into double plays.— Bryan Armen Graham, the Guardian
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