Brewers Aim to Clinch First World Series Title in Game 5 Clash Against Rays

The Milwaukee Brewers will try once again to capture the first World Series championship in franchise history on Wednesday night as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 at Tropicana Field. Scheduled for 7 p.m. Central time (8 p.m. Eastern), the matchup gives Milwaukee another opportunity to close out the series. The Brewers currently lead the best-of-seven matchup 3-1, though their bid for a sweep was halted Tuesday night in an agonizing 4-3 defeat in 12 innings.

Milwaukee was three outs away from celebrating the title on Tuesday after Cooper Pratt delivered a go-ahead solo home run in the top of the 12th inning to break a 2-2 tie. However, Tampa Bay answered back immediately in the bottom half of the frame. Capitalizing on a throwing error and three consecutive singles, the Rays scored twice to pull off a walk-off victory. The loss snapped Milwaukee's three-week winning streak, marking the club's first defeat since an October 6 loss in the Division Series.

To close out the Fall Classic on Wednesday, the Brewers will turn to starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. The hard-throwing right-hander, considered the front-runner for the 2026 National League Cy Young Award, made headlines in Game 1 by throwing a 103.5 mph fastball, the fastest pitch recorded in World Series history. Misiorowski picked up the victory in the opener by allowing one run over five innings, though he recorded only three strikeouts in that outing.

Length from Misiorowski will be crucial for Milwaukee after an exhausting bullpen battle in Game 4. The Brewers burned through eight pitchers on Tuesday to get through 12 innings. Aaron Ashby worked 2 1/3 innings in relief, effectively sidelining him for Game 5, while high-leverage arms Abner Uribe and DL Hall pitched two innings and 1 2/3 innings, respectively. Pitching depth will be thoroughly tested as Milwaukee tries to avoid sending the series back home for Game 6.

Tampa Bay faces an even more complicated puzzle on the mound. Rays manager Kevin Cash emptied his bullpen in an effort to stave off elimination Tuesday, deploying seven pitchers. In doing so, Cash used potential Game 5 starter Nick Martinez for two innings of relief, taking him out of the running to start Wednesday. Furthermore, closer Bryan Baker tossed two full innings for the first time since 2024, and Cash stated that Drew Rasmussen is unlikely to pitch on three days of rest. The Rays had yet to name a starting pitcher for Game 5, leaving relievers such as Steven Matz and Garrett Cleavinger positioned for critical roles.

Despite seeing their sweep slip away, the Brewers maintained composure in the clubhouse after Game 4. Team captain Christian Yelich emphasized that obstacles are an inherent part of winning a championship. "You’re supposed to face adversity. You have to battle back from it," Yelich said after the game. "That’s why you celebrate at the end, because that’s what it requires out of you. I believe in our room and I believe we’re prepared to meet that challenge." Milwaukee is competing in its first World Series since 1982.

Back in Wisconsin, enthusiasm remains high among fans who packed American Family Field late into the night for a sold-out Game 4 watch party, with another capacity gathering anticipated for Game 5. The game will be televised nationally on Fox and streamed via Fox One and the Fox Sports apps. If the Rays manage to pull off another win to extend the series, Game 6 will take place in Milwaukee on Friday, October 30, with a decisive Game 7 slated for Saturday, October 31, if necessary.