The 2026 World Series pits the Tampa Bay Rays against the Milwaukee Brewers in a contest between the top teams from each league.

Milwaukee swept the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. Tampa Bay defeated the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series.

Our MLB experts examine what propelled both clubs this far and assess whether those strengths will hold up. They also highlight the stars and supporting players who could shape the outcome.

Note: Matchup odds derive from Bradford Doolittle's power-rating model based on 10,000 simulations. Team temperatures follow Bill James' formula, where average equals 72 degrees.

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Milwaukee Brewers

This series matches the top clubs from each circuit. The Rays and Brewers rank among baseball's best-managed organizations. Neither has captured a World Series title, setting up an intriguing showdown.

Milwaukee's bullpen posted the strongest numbers among playoff teams, while Tampa Bay's rotation led the field. The reverse also holds: Brewers starters performed well and the Rays relief corps excelled. Both clubs fielded solidly, with Milwaukee allowing the lowest playoff OPS on balls in play and Tampa Bay ranking fourth.

These factors point to elite run prevention overall and a series of low-scoring games decided in high-leverage spots. The Rays led baseball in high-leverage pitching during the regular season, while the Brewers topped high-leverage hitting. The outcome may hinge on whether Tampa Bay pitchers can contain Milwaukee's lineup in enough critical moments to secure four wins. -- Doolittle

Milwaukee Brewers

Odds of winning: 59%

Team temperature: 124 degrees

What carried the Brewers to the World Series for the first time in four decades?

Doolittle: The bullpen delivered with a 1.33 ERA and .472 OPS allowed across eight games. Its .202 BABIP shows strong defense supported the relievers. The core group of Trevor Megill, Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe and DL Hall protected late leads and limited inherited deficits. Combined with an offense that improves as games progress, this helped Milwaukee win six playoff contests after trailing.

Schoenfield: Patient at-bats stood out, especially with runners aboard. Jackson Chourio delivered a two-run walk-off single against the Padres. Jake Bauers worked long counts, including a 12-pitch walk and an 11-pitch homer. The club drew the second-most walks in the majors with the lowest chase rate and swung less than any team. With runners in scoring position they hit .276, tops in baseball, and raised their home-run rate.

Why will it continue or fade against the Rays?

Doolittle: The sweep of the Dodgers gives manager Pat Murphy time to rest the bullpen. Uribe showed fatigue after heavy early use but should recover with extra rest. The Rays offer a new test, yet no signs point to the Milwaukee relief staff cooling off.

Schoenfield: The Brewers will stick to their approach, creating a classic matchup against a Rays staff with the majors' lowest walk rate and high first-pitch strike percentage. Drew Rasmussen issued just 32 walks in 30 regular-season starts. Jackson Chourio has swung more often in the playoffs and is hitting .171 with one walk in 38 plate appearances.

What to expect from Jacob Misiorowski in the World Series?

Doolittle: His regular-season bar was high, so October results may not match exactly. Swing-and-miss rates have dropped and command has slipped, though velocity remains steady. Better control could let him work deeper, but his 183 innings make a full return to his 1.80 ERA unlikely. He will still challenge the Rays.

Schoenfield: Fatigue may be a factor after his first full major-league season. His swinging-strike rate fell from 19.1 percent to 11.5 percent in two playoff starts, and he failed to complete five innings either time. With the strong bullpen behind him, shorter outings are likely even after rest.

Which other player is most crucial?

Doolittle: William Contreras drives the club with his catching and run production while serving as its fiercest competitor. When he thrives, the Brewers follow.

Schoenfield: Brice Turang can set the table for hot hitter Jake Bauers. Turang posted a strong NLCS and brings power, speed and elite defense.

Tampa Bay Rays

Odds of winning: 41%

Team temperature: 102 degrees

What carried the Rays to the World Series as the AL's top seed?

Jorge Castillo: Starting pitching provided crucial length. Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta and Nick Martinez allowed manager Kevin Cash to manage the bullpen carefully. This old-school approach proved vital against a Guardians club that leaned on relievers.

Jeff Passan: Pitching and defense limited opponents to fewer than one baserunner per inning. Rasmussen leads postseason pitchers with 21 innings and a 1.29 ERA. The formula of deep starts and high-leverage relief has carried over from the regular season.

Why will it continue or fade against the Brewers?

Castillo: Milwaukee scored the second-most runs in the regular season and hit seven homers in the NLCS. The matchup pits baseball's lowest chase rate against a strike-zone-heavy rotation. Success depends on maintaining that edge.

Passan: The Brewers grind opponents relentlessly. After extra rest the Rays have found their rhythm and mirror Milwaukee's style with professional at-bats, aggressive baserunning and clean defense. The series could feature similar strengths on both sides.

What to expect from Junior Caminero?

Castillo: Caminero slugged 42 homers in the regular season but entered the ALCS with modest numbers. He broke through with a homer in the clincher and delivered a hard-hit double earlier. He expects more on the biggest stage.

Passan: More production is likely. His bat speed and raw power rank among the game's best. He has delivered in big winter-league moments and now has a chance to do the same here after a slow start to the postseason.