Brewers end 44-year title drought with win over Rays

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field to claim their first World Series title in franchise history. The victory concluded a five-game series and ended a 44-year championship drought for the club.

Jacob Misiorowski, the team's 24-year-old ace, pitched 5 2/3 innings while allowing two hits and no runs. The right-hander threw 86 pitches, 58 of which were strikes. He was removed from the game due to a right calf cramp after giving up an RBI double to William Contreras in the sixth inning.

Contreras, named the Series MVP, finished with an RBI double in that sixth-inning score. Rookie Cooper Pratt contributed two hits and two runs batted in. Pratt set a Series rookie record by getting hits in six consecutive at-bats before his sacrifice fly in the sixth extended the lead to 4-0. Jackson Chourio also set a five-game Series record with 11 hits.

Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen gave up one run and two hits in four innings. He was replaced by Kevin Kelly, who allowed consecutive one-out singles to Pratt, Garrett Mitchell, and David Hamilton in the fifth inning. The Rays' bullpen faltered late, as Chandler Simpson hit an RBI double with two outs in the ninth off closer Trevor Megill.

Manager Pat Murphy praised the team's unity in the clubhouse. He stated that the 2026 group would be remembered forever because they prioritized winning over individual statistics. Murphy noted that the players were not worried about their own numbers but focused on coming together to win the game.

Captain Christian Yelich addressed the fans after the final out. He said the moment was the best feeling ever and that the city had waited a long time for this championship. He expressed excitement about returning to Milwaukee to celebrate with the supporters.

The Brewers finished the regular season with a league-leading 103 wins. They went 11-2 in the postseason, which included seven comeback victories and a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. The team scored a major league-low 32.1% of their runs on home runs, reflecting a style of play that relied heavily on small ball.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said the team was hurt by the loss but grateful for how they carried themselves throughout the season. He described the group as close-knit. The Rays have now lost their first three World Series appearances, joining only the Brooklyn Dodgers and Detroit Tigers in that historical category.

Brewers owner Mark Attanasio addressed the crowd from the postgame stage. He told the fans that Milwaukee had waited 44 years and that the city now had its world championship. The team's previous World Series appearance in 1982 ended in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7.

This Series marked the first matchup since 1991 between two teams with payrolls in the bottom half of the league. The Brewers ranked 19th in payroll as of August 31, while the Rays ranked 25th. A management lockout is expected to begin on December 2, potentially affecting the upcoming 2027 season.