Brewers Defeat Rays 4-1 to Win First World Series Since 1982
Jacob Misiorowski pitched five scoreless innings and Cooper Pratt set a rookie hitting record as the small-market Milwaukee team claimed the championship at Tropicana Field.
By James Foster ·
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 on Wednesday night to claim their first World Series title in franchise history. The victory ended a 44-year wait for the team, which relocated from Seattle to Wisconsin in 1970.
Jacob Misiorowski, the 24-year-old starting pitcher, threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings to earn the win. He allowed just two hits and 58 strikes on 86 pitches before leaving the game due to a right calf cramp. The right-hander had previously broken the World Series velocity record with a 103.5 mph fastball during the opener.
Rookie second baseman Cooper Pratt delivered a historic performance at the plate. He collected two hits and two runs batted in, including a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning that extended the lead to 4-0. Pratt set a single-World Series rookie record with six consecutive hits, a streak that ended with his final plate appearance.
William Contreras, named the World Series Most Valuable Player, contributed an RBI double in the sixth inning. The Brewers' offensive approach relied heavily on contact hitting rather than power. The team scored a major league-low 32.1% of its runs on home runs during the postseason, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Manager Pat Murphy, who won the National League Manager of the Year award in his first two full seasons, praised the team's unity. Murphy, 67, survived a heart attack in 2020. He stated that the 2026 group would be remembered forever because they prioritized winning over individual statistics.
The Rays' Drew Rasmussen pitched four innings, allowing one run and two hits. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash acknowledged that his team was hurt but grateful for their competitive effort. The Rays have now lost their first three World Series appearances, matching a historical trend where expansion teams struggle in their early championship bids.
This championship comes as owners push for a salary cap, arguing that small-market teams cannot consistently compete. The Brewers led the majors with 103 wins in the regular season and finished the postseason with an 11-2 record. A potential management lockout is scheduled to begin Dec. 2, which could impact the 2027 season.
Milwaukee's previous World Series appearance in 1982 ended in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. The current team swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS before defeating Tampa Bay in five games. The Brewers finished the Series with 11 hits by Jackson Chourio, setting a five-game record.
