Brewers beat Rays 3-2 in World Series Game 1 after replay drama in ninth
Christian Yelich's first-inning triple and Jacob Misiorowski's five strong innings gave Milwaukee a 1-0 World Series lead, as Trevor Megill survived a tense ninth against Tampa Bay.
At a glance
- The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 1 of the 2026 World Series on Friday, October 23, at American Family Field, and lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.
- Christian Yelich hit an RBI triple and scored on William Contreras's single in a two-run first inning; Jackson Chourio drove in an insurance run in the seventh.
- Jacob Misiorowski allowed one run in five innings, opening with a 103.5 mph pitch, the fastest World Series pitch of the tracking era.
- In the ninth, replay overturned an apparent game-ending double play, but Trevor Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca with the tying run on second for the save.
- Game 2 is in Milwaukee on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Pakistan), with Logan Henderson facing Drew Rasmussen.
The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 1 of the 2026 World Series on Friday night, October 23, at a sold-out American Family Field, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Christian Yelich's RBI triple sparked a two-run first inning, Jacob Misiorowski pitched five strong innings, and closer Trevor Megill held on through a nervy ninth that included an overturned double play.
How the game was won
Milwaukee struck straight away against Rays starter Nick Martinez. Yelich tripled to drive in the first run and then scored on a William Contreras single for a 2-0 lead. Martinez then settled down and kept the Brewers off the board through five innings.
Tampa Bay got one run back off Misiorowski, but the Brewers added a key insurance run in the seventh when Jackson Chourio drove in a run to make it 3-1.
The ninth was dramatic. Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson singled, a double steal and a walk loaded the bases, and Liam Hicks then hit what looked like a game-ending double play. Replay showed shortstop Cooper Pratt's foot had come off second base, so only the out at first stood and a run scored to make it 3-2. With the tying run in scoring position, Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca to end the game.
| Team | 1st | 7th | 9th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays | 0 | – | 1 | 2 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 2 | 1 | – | 3 |
(Rays' other run scored during Misiorowski's five innings.)
Key performers
| Player | Team | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Misiorowski (W) | Brewers | 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K |
| Abner Uribe, Aaron Ashby, Trevor Megill | Brewers bullpen | 4 IP, 1 R, 6 K combined; Ashby 2 scoreless innings |
| Trevor Megill (S) | Brewers | Final strikeout of Jonny DeLuca with runners on second and third |
| Christian Yelich | Brewers | RBI triple, run scored |
| Jackson Chourio | Brewers | 2 hits, RBI in the seventh |
| William Contreras | Brewers | 2 hits, RBI; threw out two base-stealers |
| Nick Martinez (L) | Rays | 5 IP, 2 R, 5 K, 0 BB |
Misiorowski's very first pitch was clocked at 103.5 mph, the fastest pitch thrown in a World Series since pitch tracking began.
Background
Both teams are chasing their first championship, making this the first World Series between two franchises without a title since 1980, when Philadelphia beat Kansas City in six games. It was also Milwaukee's first World Series home game since 1982.
The Brewers reached the Fall Classic by sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, while the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians to win the American League pennant. Historically, the team that wins Game 1 has gone on to win the World Series about 63% of the time.
Reactions
Brewers manager Pat Murphy praised Chourio, saying the young outfielder is "not surprising anybody" with his big-game hitting. Rays manager Kevin Cash credited his starter for limiting the damage, noting that Martinez did not let the two early runs affect the rest of his outing.
What happens next
| Game | Date (US) | Venue | Pakistan time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 2 | Sat, Oct 24 | Milwaukee | Sun, Oct 25, about 5:00 am |
| Games 3–5 | Following days | Tampa Bay | Mornings in Pakistan |
| Game 7 (if needed) | Sat, Oct 31 | Milwaukee | Sun, Nov 1, morning |
Logan Henderson is set to start Game 2 for Milwaukee against Tampa Bay's Drew Rasmussen. A win would send the Brewers to Florida two victories from a first-ever title.
Questions people are asking
Who won Game 1 of the 2026 World Series?
The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 1 on October 23, 2026, in Milwaukee. The Brewers lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.
When is World Series Game 2 between the Brewers and Rays?
Game 2 is on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at about 8 pm Eastern time in Milwaukee, which is about 5 am on Sunday, October 25, in Pakistan. Logan Henderson starts for the Brewers and Drew Rasmussen for the Rays.
Have the Brewers or Rays ever won the World Series?
No. Neither team has won a World Series, so 2026 will produce a first-time champion. It is the first Fall Classic between two franchises without a title since 1980.
