The Milwaukee Brewers are one win away from their first World Series championship, leading the Tampa Bay Rays 3-0 after a 10-1 victory in Game 3 on Monday night at Tropicana Field. Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at 8:00 p.m. ET, with the Brewers needing one more win to clinch the title.
Brewers dominate with record-setting inning
The Brewers scored eight runs in the fifth inning with two outs, a postseason first, to break open a tight game. Tampa Bay reliever Cam Booser allowed four runs in the inning, including a two-run single by Brice Turang and a two-run ground ball by Garrett Mitchell. The outburst extended Milwaukee’s lead to 7-0 before the Rays scored their only run of the game in the eighth inning.
Rays’ season hangs by a thread
Tampa Bay now faces elimination for the first time in this postseason. The Rays have lost three consecutive games after dropping Game 1 and Game 2, with their lone win coming in Game 1. Rays manager Kevin Cash acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, "We didn’t execute in the big spots." The Rays’ bullpen, which had been reliable throughout the playoffs, allowed 10 runs in the series’ first three games.
Key Storylines
Brewers’ historic postseason run
The Brewers enter Game 4 with an 11-1 postseason record, including eight straight wins. Their bullpen has thrown over half of the team’s playoff innings, posting a 1.45 ERA in the postseason. Dustin May is expected to start for Milwaukee, though manager Pat Murphy has not officially announced the starter.
- Offensive approach: The Brewers’ success has been built on walks, foul balls, and opposite-field hitting, rather than relying on power hitters. They rank first in the majors in walk rate during the postseason.
- Defensive consistency: The Brewers have committed only two errors in 11 postseason games, a key factor in their ability to win close games.
Tampa Bay’s uphill battle
The Rays, who finished the regular season with a 98-64 record, have struggled to generate offense against Milwaukee’s pitching. Corey Kluber, Tampa’s Game 4 starter, has a 3.86 ERA in the postseason but has not pitched in this series.
- Stadium challenges: Tropicana Field’s catwalks and roof support systems have been a topic of discussion, with Brewers closer Trevor Megill criticizing the stadium’s design. "Whoever decided to make the roof the same color as the baseball is a f---ing idiot," Megill said.
- Historical context: The Rays have never won a World Series and are seeking their first title in franchise history. A loss in Game 4 would mark the first time in 40 years that the higher-seeded team won every postseason series.
Potential World Series MVP candidates
Several Brewers players have stood out in the series:
- Jackson Chourio: 8-for-14 (.571 average), 2 RBIs, 4 runs, 3 stolen bases.
- William Contreras: 7-for-13 (.538 average), 3 RBIs, 1 stolen base.
- Brice Turang: 5-for-12 (.417 average), 2 RBIs, 3 stolen bases.
The Brewers’ bullpen-heavy approach has also been a focal point, with Jacob Misiorowski and Dustin May emerging as key contributors.
What’s at Stake
- For the Brewers: A championship would cap a historic postseason run, ending a 56-year title drought.
- For the Rays: A loss would end their season, leaving them one win shy of their first World Series appearance.
- For MLB: This World Series has been noted for its lack of suspense, with the higher-seeded team winning every series—a first in 40 years.
Game 4 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX, with the Brewers one win away from making history.