Will the third time be the charm for the Tampa Bay Rays? The unlikely American League powerhouse begins its quest for its first World Series championship today against the Milwaukee Brewers, who are also after their first title.
The two teams have a lot in common. Both small-market teams routinely field modest to low payrolls year after year: For 2026, the Brewers rank 19th and the Rays 28th of 30 MLB team, and neither has ranked in the top half of team spending since 2012.
Yet they've been among the most successful squads on the field in that time. Milwaukee has fielded an MVP in Christian Yelich and is likely to see fireballer Jacob Misiorowski become their second Cy Young winner. Tampa went from perpetual laughing stock to one of the best talent
developers in baseball, earning two Cy Youngs of their own on top of young slugger Junior Caminero, speedster Chandler Simpson and perpetually underrated veterans like hitting machine Yandy Diaz.
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Both Milwaukee and Tampa have largely eschewed the trend of seeking home runs — they finished in the bottom third in baseball this year, with the Brewers out-mashing just one team — yet still provide enough offense to finish in the top half as far as runs go. It's not like they can't bash, either. Brice Turang and Garrett Mitchell led the onslaught in an NLCS sweep over the two-time reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers, while Caminero and Diaz both went deep late to seal a Game 6 win over the Cleveland Guardians to win the AL pennant.
Now all that's left is for one to reach the mountaintop. The Rays approached the summit in 2008 and 2020, while the Brewers' last trip to the Fall Classic came in 1982 when they were still part of the AL.
Both teams are expected to flex the depths of their pitching staffs throughout the series. Misiorowski, who led the majors with a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts and an 0.802 WHIP, will get the ball for the Brewers. The Rays' plans are more obscured after Drew Rasmussen and prized trade-deadline acquisition Freddy Peralta pitched earlier this week. They'll turn to 35-year-old Nick Martinez, the Miami native who has revitalized his career since spending four seasons pitching in Japan.
Here's what you need to know about today's game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:
What time is Rays vs Brewers today in World Series Game 1?
- Date: Friday, Oct. 23
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Game 1 of the 2026 World Series starts at 8 p.m. from American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jacob Misiorowski (16-5, 1.80 ERA) is scheduled to start for Milwaukee, while Nick Martinez (15-6, 3.10) will be on the hill for Tampa Bay.
What channel is Rays vs Brewers on for 2026 World Series? How to watch on TV, live stream
- TV channel: Fox
- Live streaming: Fubo (free trial)
The entire World Series between the Rays and Brewers will be broadcast nationally on Fox. Joe Davis and John Smoltz will call the game from the booth at American Family Field, while Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci will report from the dugouts.
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Where is the World Series being played?
Games 1 and 2 of the 2026 World Series will take place at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home of the NL champion Brewers. Games 3 and 4 will shift to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, home of the AL champion Rays. If necessary, the Trop will also host Game 5, while Games 6 and 7 would head back to Milwaukee.
World Series odds for Game 1
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Oct. 22.
- Spread: Brewers by 1½
- Over/under: 6
- Moneyline: Rays (+135) | Brewers (-160)
Rays vs Brewers World Series schedule 2026
The World Series is best-of-seven, so the first team to win four games will be the champion. Here's a look at the schedule, including TV, streaming info and location of each game. Those marked with an asterisk will be played only if necessary. All times Eastern.
- Game 1: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 | American Family Field (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) | Fox | Fubo (free trial)
- Game 2: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 | American Family Field (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) | Fox | Fubo (free trial)
- Game 3: 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 | Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Florida) | Fox | Fubo (free trial)
- Game 4: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 | Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Florida) | Fox | Fubo (free trial)
- Game 5*: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 | Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Florida) | Fox | Fubo (free trial)
- Game 6*: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 | American Family Field (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) | Fox | Fubo (free trial)
- Game 7*: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 | American Family Field (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) | Fox | Fubo (free trial)
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: What channel is Rays vs Brewers on? World Series time, TV, streaming
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