World Series 2026: Brewers Take 2-0 Lead Over Rays With Another Comeback
The World Series 2026 heads to Florida with the Milwaukee Brewers in control. Milwaukee beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Game 2 on Saturday night, October 24, to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Once again, the Brewers came from behind. Here is a recap of both games and what to watch next.
World Series 2026 guarantees a first-time champion
This matchup already makes history. Neither the Brewers nor the Rays has ever won a World Series, so a new champion is certain.
The Brewers finished the regular season with MLB’s best record at 103-59, which gave them home-field advantage. They reached the Fall Classic for the first time in 44 years after sweeping the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. Meanwhile, the top-seeded Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians in six games in the ALCS.
World Series 2026 Game 1: Brewers 3, Rays 2
Milwaukee won the opener 3-2 on Friday, October 23, at American Family Field. Starter Jacob Misiorowski allowed one run over five innings. In addition, his first pitch of the night reached 103.5 mph, which Fox Sports reports is the fastest pitch in World Series pitch-tracking history.
Jackson Chourio drove in a key run in the seventh inning, and closer Trevor Megill earned the save. Catcher William Contreras also threw out a runner trying to steal third to end a Rays threat.
Game 2: Brewers 5, Rays 4
Game 2 started badly for Milwaukee. The Rays scored four runs in the first inning, capped by a home run from catcher Liam Hicks. However, the Brewers answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.
Then they chipped away. Milwaukee cut the lead to 4-3 in the fourth. Sal Frelick tied the game with a leadoff home run in the sixth. In the seventh, Brice Turang doubled and scored on a go-ahead single by Cooper Pratt.
Finally, reliever Aaron Ashby closed it out in the ninth, with the tying run on third base. According to MLB.com, Ashby has now thrown 15 2/3 scoreless innings this postseason.
A team built for comebacks
The win fits a pattern. MLB.com notes that the Brewers are one of five teams to overcome multiple four-run deficits in a single postseason. They are also only the second team to win six postseason games without scoring first.
What’s next in the World Series 2026
The series now moves to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Game 3 is Monday, October 26, at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Game 4 follows on Tuesday, October 27. If needed, Game 5 is Wednesday, October 28, with Games 6 and 7 back in Milwaukee on October 30 and 31.
The Rays are expected to start Freddy Peralta in Game 3. Peralta spent eight seasons with the Brewers, which adds another storyline. For the full recap, see MLB.com’s Game 2 takeaways.
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The bottom line
The Brewers lead the World Series 2-0 after two close wins at home. Tampa Bay now needs to win at least four of the next five games. Either way, baseball will crown a first-time champion this fall.
Scores and schedule as of October 25, 2026.
