Humbly writing, a few weeks ago I made a series of bold predictions for the 2026 Major League Baseball playoffs. My World Series prediction was my Boston Red Sox facing off against the Atlanta Braves. Sad to announce, I was way, way off on many of my other predictions, which supports the theory that I stink at betting and predicting the future. The teams that made it into the 2026 World Series – Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers. If you a fan of either the Rays or the Brewers, you will most likely be glued to every pitch, every at-bat, and every game in anticipation of your team’s first World Series championship. If you are not a fan of either team, like yours truly, why would you want to waste your team watching these two teams compete for a World Series title?
Here are ten baseball reasons why you should watch the 2026 World Series:
Small Ball – The Tampa Bay Rays have showcased a master class on the baseball concept of small ball for years. The Rays bunt, steal bases, take the extra base, drive in runners from 2nd and 3rd at a high rate, sacrifice at-bats for runs, and play a team first concept at the plate. In close games, against top level pitchers, the Rays can score that one critical run to edge out an opponent by playing small ball. If you are a fan of small ball, the way the game was played for decades upon decades, the small ball Tampa Bay Rays are about as good as it gets. Worth the watch.
Jacob Miz – Full name, Jacob Misiorowski. Misiorowski is the Milwaukee Brewers tall, right handed starting pitcher that lights up the radar gun and strikes out everyone in sight. Get to know him because Miz is young and talented and likely to dominate the world of Major League baseball for the next decade or longer (if healthy). He has not yet been named the Game 1 starter for the Brewers (according to MLB.com) in this year’s World Series, but I would gamble to say that is coming shortly. Miz is worth watching, he is a historic pitcher in an era with mostly unexciting pitching. Worth the watch.
Yandy Diaz – The Tampa Bay Rays may have the best right handed hitter that no one gives any credit to. All Yandy Diaz does is collect hits, work counts, drive the ball to the opposite field, drive the ball out of the park, drive in key runs via sacrifice fly, and produce professional at-bats game after game. His 2026 stats – .293 average, 22 home runs, 85 runs batted in, 180 hits, 614 at-bats. What team wouldn’t give their right or left arm for a guy like this in their lineup? Great player who deserves a heck of lot more recognition than he currently gets. Worth the watch.
Taylor Walls – Anyone remember a guy named Wander Franco? He was a Rays phenom and projected generational shortstop before legal troubles ended his Major League baseball career. So who is Taylor Walls? Walls is the current Rays smooth fielding shortstop that makes every play look routine. His footwork is above elite status. His range is the third base hole to the second base hole. His throwing arm is accurate no matter what direction his body is moving. Taylor Walls is a joy to watch play defense, like the greats – Ozzie Smith, Derek Jeter, Nolan Arenado. If you need an out, pitch to contact so the ball lands in Taylor Walls range, and you will get that out. Worth the watch.
Sal Frelick – Boston, MA area native, Boston College alum Sal Frelick will be playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series. Frelick played in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League for North Shore (Navigators) against other New Englanders with the hopes and dreams of being a Major Leaguer one day. Frelick gives New England kids a sense that they too, with a bit of luck and talent and about a million other factors, can make it to the top of the mountain – the World Series on a Major League baseball roster. Frelick is no slouch, he is a great player who will make his mark in the Series. Worth the watch.
Baseball played in a dome – Having been to both stadiums, I can truthfully state that both stadiums have a dome, so the entire 2026 World Series will be played indoors. Think about some of those WS games in year’s passed with 40 degree temps, wind chills in the 20s, players wearing 19 layers of clothes in the field to stay warm – doesn’t quite fit the moniker “the boys of summer” does it? Well, both teams will be playing in ideal weather condition, no wind, no sun in their face, no wind chills to speak of, just a field, a pitcher’s mound, and roll out the baseball and let’s play 9. No one, not the fans, not the players, not the managers can complain about a wind aided home run or a sun blinding error that shaped the foundation of the score of the game. Perfect conditions, in some folks eyes. For me, I would rather the game be played outdoors, on natural grass, in whatever conditions this time of year has. But, for most fans, indoor baseball means less external factors can affect the game. Worth the watch.
Former Red Sox Players Playing, Managing – There are so many former Boston Red Sox players and managers in this game, I literally lost count. David Hamilton, Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan, Dustin May are all on the Brewers 40-man roster, not sure if all will be on the WS roster. On the Tampa side, you have Cam Booser and Steven Matz, two very competent LHP’s in the Rays bullpen. To be honest, the Rays have the most significant former Red Sox player as their manager, Kevin Cash. Many in Red Sox nation thought Cash could get pried away from the Rays to manage the Sox, not sure that is a reality anymore. Worth the watch.
Junior Caminero – I used to think Bryce Harper’s swing was the most violent action in all of Major League baseball, in terms of hitting. Used to because that title now belongs to the Tampa Bay Ray’s Junior Caminero. Caminero hits the ball so freaking hard, it is insane. His home runs are lasers. His doubles to the gap are missiles. His outs are shocking. His bat speed is electric. Caminero is a star and could become a superstar with a great performance in this year’s World Series. For his at-bats against The Miz, you have to buckle in because it will be a very, very wild ride. Worth the watch.
Jackson Chourio – The Milwaukee Brewers have a generational star in Jackson Chourio. Chourio can hit, play excellent defensive outfield, get on base, hit home runs, and is a force at the top of the Brewers lineup. I remember Chourio’s performances with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic this past spring. He was electric at the plate and lethal in the field. A bit more soft spoken that Junior Caminero but just as talented as a baseball player. The Brewers have an All-Star in Chourio locked up contractually for years and frankly he deserves every penny. Worth the watch.
Which closer cracks first – The Milwaukee Brewers have an incredible closer in Trevor Megill. Megill’s stats this postseason – 5 games, 4 saves, 5 2/3 innings of work, 0.00 ERA, dominant. The Tampa Bay Rays have an incredible closer in Bryan Baker. Baker’s stats this postseason – 7 games, 5 saves, 7 innings pitched, 0.00 ERA, dominant. In a close game in the late innings of this 2026 World Series, the Brewers and Rays will go to their closer to close the door on their opponent. So, which team will kick the door in and score on these seemingly unstoppable, dominant closers? Likely scenario, the team that beats the other team’s closer will likely win the Series. Worth the watch.
Who is the ultimate chess master? Kevin Cash vs. Pat Murphy – Any person that says baseball is boring is not a real baseball fan. The two managers, the Brewers Pat Murphy and the Rays Kevin Cash, are two of the most intelligent baseball minds of the past decade in Major League Baseball. They do not manage on payroll or ego stroking or even what the experts think they should do. They will bat a LH batter against a tough LHP, starter or reliever, because that is what their baseball minds, hearts, and souls believe is best for the team. Sit the captain, sure if it means a W. Pull a starter in the 2nd inning, it is what it is. The ultimate prize is just four games away. Which manager will make the best moves for their team? Honestly, it is a toss up here, I have so much respect for both Kevin Cash and Pat Murphy. Worth the watch.
Ten reasons to watch and I am sure with a little more time, I could come up with ten more. The World Series has been a tradition for baseball fans for decades. Whether you team is in it or not, you should try to watch the Series for the love of baseball. Sure, I would have rather had my Boston Red Sox in the Series against whomever. But, I don’t have that. I have the Tampa Bay Rays vs. the Milwaukee Brewers and that is what I will watch. Game 1 is Friday night, 8:00 Eastern Standard Time, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Watch it with a friend, a parent, a grandchild, a teammate, a spouse, a pet, and may the best team win. The World Series is worth the watch and that is exactly what I am going to do – Watch it.
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