Brewers Win the First World Series in Franchise History, Beating the Rays in Five
Milwaukee beat Tampa Bay 4-1 in Game 5 for its first title in 57 years. What the win says about building a champion on a mid-size payroll.
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Key takeaways
- The Brewers beat the Rays 4-1 in Game 5 at Tropicana Field to win the first World Series in the franchise's 57-year history, per ESPN.
- Milwaukee went 11-2 in the playoffs with the 19th-highest payroll and the 28th-ranked home run total, ESPN reported.
- William Contreras was named World Series MVP, and rookie Cooper Pratt had hits in six straight at-bats.
- Tampa Bay was down 3-0 after uncharacteristic mistakes, then forced Game 5 with a 12-inning win.
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Brewers Win the World Series for the First Time, Beating the Rays 4-1 in Game 5
Milwaukee closed out Tampa Bay at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night, ESPN reported, finishing a postseason in which it went 11-2. The Brewers had won 103 regular-season games, the most in baseball for a second straight year, yet carried the 19th-highest payroll and ranked 28th in home runs.
Jacob Misiorowski threw five scoreless innings before leaving with a calf cramp in the sixth. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt drove in the first run and had hits in his first six World Series at-bats, and William Contreras, who doubled in a run in the sixth, was named series MVP. Trevor Megill finished it with a 99.1 mph fastball that produced a slow roller to second base.
Just the trust in each other and not wanting to ever give up on each other.
Our Read: Why a Mid-Payroll Brewers Team Won It All
This is our reading of the facts ESPN reported, not a cause any source states.
- Depth beat star power. Aaron Ashby threw 18 straight scoreless playoff innings and Robert Gasser posted a 0.60 ERA in three starts, so the pitching floor held even when the headline arms did not.
- The Rays beat themselves early. ESPN described sloppy fielding and baserunning in the first three games. A team built on not making mistakes lost that edge at the worst time, and luck may have played a part.
- Tampa Bay's Game 5 plan was thin. Drew Rasmussen threw 48 pitches over four innings on three days' rest and was pulled by plan. The bullpen then gave up the lead runs, and the evidence on that decision points both ways.
- The process was criticized, then rewarded. The front office was questioned for trading stars before free agency and for not landing Tarik Skubal. A title does not settle that debate, but it shows a lean roster can peak in October.
What to Watch After the Brewers' Title
- Whether Milwaukee keeps its core as arbitration and free agency arrive.
- How Tampa Bay handles Junior Caminero's left foot injury over the winter.
- Where Skubal, MLB's top free agent this offseason, ends up, per ESPN.
- How the title reshapes early 2027 World Series futures prices.
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