Brewers play comeback kings vs. Rays. Here's what we learned in WS Game 2

The Milwaukee Brewers are two wins away from the franchise’s first World Series title. History says they should finish the job.

The Brewers rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 Saturday night at American Family Field to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Only 11 of the 57 teams to fall behind 2-0 in the World Series have come back to win it, and nobody has done it since the 1996 Yankees.

Milwaukee’s bullpen pulled it out Saturday night. 

Brewers relievers threw six scoreless innings after Logan Henderson’s short start. The Rays scored four runs in the first inning and then were shut down.

The Brewers offense chipped away instead of breaking it open. They got two in the first and then one run in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings. They knocked

Drew Rasmussen out in the fourth. Sal Frelick tied it with a homer in the sixth and Cooper Pratt’s seventh-inning RBI single held up as the winning run.

Now, the Series shifts to Tropicana Field for Game 3 on Monday night.  Freddy Peralta, who spent eight seasons with the Brewers, will start for the Rays. 

What we learned in World Series Game 2

The Brewers’ bullpen is the difference in this World Series

Logan Henderson lasted three innings. It didn’t matter. JoJo Romero, Dustin May, DL Hall, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combined for six scoreless innings, and the Rays didn’t score after the first. A bullpen that came in with a 1.41 postseason ERA is even better. That gives Pat Murphy plenty of room in Game 3, when lefty Robert Gasser starts at Tropicana Field. Murphy doesn’t need Gasser to go deep. He needs four or five innings and a lead.

The Rays’ punch is fading fast

Tampa Bay knocked Henderson around for four runs in the first inning. Then the Rays went quiet, with four hits the rest of the night. That’s a problem going home. The rays have scored six runs in two games, and four came in one inning. The team is hitting .222 with 19 strikeouts in the series. The Rays have lost four straight World Series games, and this was the first time they ever lost Game 2 of a best-of-seven series. 

Milwaukee doesn’t need the big hit to win

The Brewers left 12 runners on base and had a runner thrown out at the plate in the eighth. They still won. They scored one run at a time in the fourth, sixth and seventh, on Sal Frelick’s homer and Cooper Pratt’s go-ahead single. That’s a team that keeps finding a way, and it’s how they have won seven straight postseason games. But stranding that many runners is a habit the Brewers can’t afford with the series moving to the Rays’ park.

Brewers vs Rays box score: World Series Game 2

Aaron Ashby finishes Game 2

11:58 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Johnny DeLuca hit a leadoff double but the Rays couldn't bring him in to score, with Aaron Ashby striking out Yandy Diaz on a check swing to end the game and strand the runner on third.

2-0 IN THE WORLD SERIES
6 STRAIGHT POSTSEASON HOME WINS

THE BREWERS!! https://t.co/i39y0np9q7 pic.twitter.com/yzP44ayd4B

— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026

Brewers take seventh-inning lead

11:05 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Cooper Pratt's throwing error started the Rays' four-run first inning. In the seventh, he singled in the run that put the Brewers ahead.

That's baseball.

Brice Turang set it up with a leadoff double, and Pratt's line drive to right off Kevin Kelly brought him in. It's Milwaukee's first lead of the night. 

The Rays haven't scored since the first inning, while the Brewers have scored in three of the last four. 

THE BREWERS HAVE COME ALL THE WAY BACK TO TAKE THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/n3aK0UEIJV

— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026

Through six: Rays 4, Brewers 4

10:42 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Sal Frelick hadn't homered off a left-hander since Opening Day. He hadn't homered off anyone ssince July 11. With a full count against Rays lefty Ian Seymour, he hit one 408 feet to center field to tie the game. 

The Brewers hit the ball hard all night and kept stranding runners. This one didn't need anybody on base. 

Milwaukee still left two runners stranded in the sixth when Tyler Wells came in. They've left nine so far on the night. The Brewers' defense saved a run in the top of the inning. Jackson Chourio threw Liam Hicks out at the plate, and the Rays lost challenges on both the tag and the collision. 

It's a three-inning bullben game now. Tampa Bay's bullpen has an ERA that is more than double the Brewers' in the postseason. 

Sal Frelick home run ties it up

10:21 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

SAL FRELICK. TIE GAME. pic.twitter.com/aSkT0NcTRU

— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026

To the sixth: Rays 4, Brewers 3

10:09 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Cam Booser came in with the bases loaded in the fourth. He's faced five Brewers since, and none of them has a hit. 

The Rays' left-hander walked Brice Turang and then got two easy fly balls. Milwaukee has stranded seven runners.

The Brewers bullpen is holding up its end too. JoJo Romero and Dustin may, the only Brewer with World Series experience before this year, have combined for two scoreless innings. May stranded Jonathan Aranda at third after Aranda doubled. 

Brewers cut it to 4-3, can't go ahead

09:53 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Jonathan Aranda's error in the fourth cost the Rays a run and more. The Brewers chased Tampa Bay ace Drew Rasmussen after 3 ⅔ innings. Milwaukee cut the Rays lead to one when David Hamilton's grounder got through Aranda's legs and Cooper Pratt scored. Rasmussen then walked Jake Bauers to load the bases and Kevin Cash had to go to his bullpen.

The Brewers are within one! pic.twitter.com/lkifKBuyZn

— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026

Rays still up 4-2 through three

09:30 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

After giving up four runs in the first inning, Logan Henderson retired eight of the last nine Rays he faced. Pat Murphy took him out anyway. 

Henderson needed 64 pitches to get through three innings, and the first one cost him those four runs. He finished by setting down Chandler Simpson, Junior Caminero and Liam Hicks in order. Left-hander JoJo Romero took over for the fourth. 

Drew Rasmussen has settled in too, striking out Jake Bauers and Christian Yelich back-to-back. The only Brewer he can't get out is William Contreras, who's 2-for-2.  And now it's on a Brewers bullpen that's been credited with seven of the team's eight wins this postseason. It has six innings to cover. 

To the third: Rays 4, Brewers 2

09:08 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Jackson Churio hit a ball 105 mph in the second inning. It went straight at the Rays second baseman.

That’s been Milwaukee’s night. The Brewers are hitting the ball harder than the Rays and still trail by two.

Both starters are already around 50 pitches, so the bullpens are coming soon, which is an issue for the Rays. Rasmussen has thrown 48 pitches through two innings. 

Brewers pull two back: TB 4, MIL 2

08:44 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

After the Rays scored four in the top of the first inning, the Brewers bounced right back to score two runs on four hits in the bottom of the first, but Drew Rasmussen got Cooper Pratt to strike out swinging and strand runners on the corners.

Liam Hicks hit the first home run of the #WorldSeries!

Reply and tag @BudweiserUSA with #LeadoffBud for a chance to win a season's worth of beer. https://t.co/JxDX6OQGvC pic.twitter.com/Wm2fkt94El

— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026

Liam Hicks home run makes it 4-0

08:24 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Junior Caminero hit an RBI single to score Chandler Simpson to make it 2-0, Liam Hicks crushed a two-run homer off Brewers starter Logan Henderson to give the Rays a 4-0 advantage still with just one out. Henderson got the next two batters to end the inning.

LIAM HICKS 2-RUN HOMER

WHAT A START FOR TAMPA BAY pic.twitter.com/CheI2M7Btd

— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026

Rays jump in front

08:17 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Leading off Game 2, Yandy Diaz got to second base on Cooper Pratt's throwing error, then came around to score on Chandler Simpson's RBI single two batters later, giving Tampa Bay an early 1-0 lead in Milwaukee.

The Rays are on the board first in World Series Game 2! pic.twitter.com/cpO7SPWTg9

— MLB (@MLB) October 25, 2026

Brewers vs Rays World Series schedule

07:48 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

• Game 1: Brewers 3, Rays 2
• Game 2: Saturday, October 24 — 8:00 PM ET, at Milwaukee – TICKETS
• Game 3: Monday, October 26 — 8:00 PM ET, at Tampa Bay – TICKETS
• Game 4: Tuesday, October 27 — 8:00 PM ET, at Tampa Bay – TICKETS
• Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, October 28 — 8:00 PM ET, at Tampa Bay – TICKETS
• Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, October 30 — 8:00 PM ET, at Milwaukee – TICKETS
• Game 7 (if necessary): Saturday, October 31 — 8:00 PM ET, at Milwaukee – TICKETS

Rays lineup today

07:47 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

RHP Drew Rasmussen

1. Yandy Díaz (R) DH
2. Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B
3. Chandler Simpson (L) LF
4. Junior Caminero (R) 3B
5. Liam Hicks (L) C
6. Richie Palacios (L) 2B
7. Jonny DeLuca (R) CF
8. Victor Mesa Jr. (L) RF
9. Taylor Walls (S) SS

Brewers lineup for Game 2

07:47 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

RHP Logan Henderson

1. Jackson Chourio (R) LF
2. Jake Bauers (L) 1B
3. Christian Yelich (L) DH
4. William Contreras (R) C
5. Brice Turang (L) 2B
6. Garrett Mitchell (L) CF
7. Cooper Pratt (R) SS
8. Sal Frelick (L) RF
9. David Hamilton (L) 3B

World Series odds

06:58 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Paul Molitor throwing first pitch

06:47 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

After winning Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, the Milwaukee Brewers will turn to another Hall of Famer in Paul Molitor to toss the ceremonial first pitch for Game 2 on Saturday.

Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004, Molitor began his career with the Brewers, playing 15 seasons from 1978-1992 in Milwaukee. He helped the Brewers reach that 1982 World Series, leading the league with 136 runs in the regular season before batting .340 in 12 playoff games, with Milwaukee falling to the St. Louis Cardinals in the seven-game World Series.

Who is singing national anthem?

06:43 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

Singer Kylie Cantrall will perform America's national anthem prior to Game 2 at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Cantrall, 21, released an EP this summer entitled "Valley Girl Problems" and has appeared in multiple Disney programs, including a starring role in the "Descendants" film series.

Cooper Pratt explains Fanta celebrations

06:24 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

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Sausage race makes World Series debut

05:34 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

World Series Game 2 umpires

05:06 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

• Home plate: Jim Wolf
• First base: James Hoye
• Second base: Vic Carapazza
• Third base: Dan Bellino
• Left field: Tripp Gibson
• Right field: Gabe Morales
• Reserve: Nic Lentz

Is roof open for World Series Game 2?

05:00 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

The American Family Field roof will be closed for Game 2 of the World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, Oct. 24. The weather forecast for the game calls for overcast skies and 60 degrees. The Brewers typically close the roof if the temperature is below 63 degrees.

– Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Pat Murphy gets deep

04:48 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

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World Series MVP odds

04:26 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

World Series Game 1 highlights

03:37 PM ET, October 24 2026, Jesse Yomtov

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brewers play comeback kings vs. Rays. Here's what we learned in WS Game 2

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