Rays Will Face Brewers in 1st World Series Since 1980 Where Neither Team Has Won a Championship

 

After being down 2-1, the Tampa Bay Rays won three straight games against the Cleveland Guardians to win their 3rd AL pennant in franchise history. Tampa Bay previously won the AL pennant in 2008 and 2020. It is their second AL pennant under manager Kevin Cash whose team fell short against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the COVID shortened season.

The Rays claimed the title with a 7-3 win in Game 6 at Tropicana Field. Tampa starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. In 12 innings pitched, Peralta gave up only one run on 9 hits with 9 strikeouts and 4 walks.

It is well worth noting that Peralta pitched eight seasons with the Brewers before being traded to the New York Mets this past off-season after finishing 5th in NL Cy Young voting. Following a disappointing 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts with a disappointing Mets team, Peralta was shipped to the Rays where he improved to 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 starts.

Alas, Cleveland which has not won a World Series since 1948 will have to wait yet another year.

As for this year's World Series, it will mark the first Fall Classic since 1980 in which neither team has previously won a championship. In 1980, the Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series title besting the Kansas City Royals in six games.

While FOX might dread this World Series matchup, it should be quite competitive with the ratings going up steadily should it reach a sixth and especially a seventh game.

The 2026 World Series will begin on Friday night in Milwaukee.