One of five Major League Baseball teams to have never won a World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays are one win away from American League championship and a third-ever appearance in the Fall Classic.
If the Rays defeat the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS to set up a World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, MLB will be guaranteed a first-time champion in 2026.
The team came into existence in 1998 and didn't have a winning season until 2008, reaching the World Series that year for the first time. Tampa Bay has regularly been in contention since that magical 2008 season, reaching the playoffs in 10 of the last 19 seasons, including another World Series trip in 2020.
The World Series begins on Oct. 23 with the Brewers guaranteed home-field advantage.
Have Tampa Bay Rays ever won a World Series?
The
Rays are one of five MLB franchises without a World Series title, along with the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.
Tampa Bay debuted as the Devil Rays in 1998 and made the franchise's first World Series appearance in 2008, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies. The team got back to the Fall Classic in the 2020 COVID season, falling against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Last Rays World Series appearances
- 2008: Lost in five games to Philadelphia Phillies
- 2020: Lost in six games to Los Angeles Dodgers
When does World Series start?
Game 1 of the 2026 World Series is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23 at American Family Field in Milwaukee
World Series schedule
- Game 1: Friday, October 23 — 8:00 PM ET, at Milwaukee
- Game 2: Saturday, October 24 — 8:00 PM ET, at Milwaukee
- Game 3: Monday, October 26 — 8:00 PM ET
- Game 4: Tuesday, October 27 — 8:00 PM ET
- Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, October 28 — 8:00 PM ET
- Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, October 30 — 8:00 PM ET, at Milwaukee
- Game 7 (if necessary): Saturday, October 31 — 8:00 PM ET, at Milwaukee
World Series odds
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Have Tampa Bay Rays ever won World Series?
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