Brewers vs Rays Game 1: The Ending Nobody Saw Coming
Brewers vs Rays Game 1: The Ending Nobody Saw Coming
October 24, 2026 | World Series 2026 | Game 1 Recap
The Milwaukee Brewers won Game 1 of the World Series.
Then they were told the game wasn't over.
And for a few terrifying moments, it looked like the Tampa Bay Rays might steal a victory that Milwaukee had already started celebrating.
Brewers 3, Rays 2. But that final score barely tells the story.
A reversed double play, premature fireworks, a ninth inning nightmare and a 103.5 mph fastball made the opening game of the 2026 World Series unforgettable.
The biggest question now?
Did Milwaukee prove it is championship material, or did Tampa Bay expose a weakness that could decide the series?
Brewers vs Rays Game 1: Final Score and Key Stats
| Game 1 statistics | Tampa Bay Rays | Milwaukee Brewers |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 2 | 3 |
| Hits | 7 | 8 |
| Errors | 0 | 0 |
| Series record | 0 wins | 1 win |
Winning pitcher: Jacob Misiorowski
Losing pitcher: Nick Martinez
Save: Trevor Megill
Milwaukee took a 2:0 lead in the first inning after Christian Yelich delivered a crucial RBI triple. Jackson Chourio added what ultimately became the winning insurance run in the seventh.
But the real chaos was still coming.
The World Series Ending That Had to Happen Twice
Picture this.
Bottom line: Milwaukee leads 3:1 in the ninth inning.
Tampa Bay has loaded the bases with one out.
Liam Hicks hits a ground ball that appears to produce a game ending double play.
The crowd erupts.
Fireworks go off.
The Brewers have won the World Series opener.
Except they haven't.
Tampa Bay challenges the force out at second base.
After video review, officials determine that Milwaukee shortstop Cooper Pratt's foot came off the bag before he secured the out.
The call is overturned.
A Rays runner scores.
Suddenly, the score is 3:2 with two runners still in scoring position.
The championship celebration has been interrupted, and the entire stadium is holding its breath.
Imagine losing Game 1 after the fireworks have already gone off.
That was the nightmare facing Milwaukee.
Trevor Megill finally ended the drama by striking out Jonny DeLuca.
This time, the game really was over.
Was the reversal correct? The replay supported the overturned call. The real controversy was the spectacle of a celebration beginning before the play had survived review.
For the full explanation, read MLB's breakdown of the overturned World Series double play.
WATCH: The Wild Ninth Inning That Nearly Changed Everything
The Brewers thought they had secured the victory. Tampa Bay's replay challenge gave the Rays another chance.
Watch the official MLB footage of the ninth inning below.
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Watch the dramatic ninth inning on YouTube
Jacob Misiorowski Made History, but Did He Really Dominate?
Jacob Misiorowski threw a 103.5 mph fastball, the fastest pitch ever recorded in a World Series.
That is extraordinary.
But here is the part that deserves more discussion.
Despite that historic velocity, Milwaukee's ace completed only five innings.
His Game 1 numbers:
- Five innings pitched
- One earned run
- Four hits allowed
- Three strikeouts
Misiorowski was effective. He deserved the win.
But the Rays kept finding ways to challenge him.
Throwing the fastest pitch in World Series history is impressive. Controlling an entire World Series game is something different.
Milwaukee needed its bullpen to cover four innings, and that ninth inning nearly destroyed everything Misiorowski had accomplished.
That is not a reason to question his talent.
It is a warning about how quickly a World Series game can change.
The Rays Lost This Game More Than the Brewers Won It
This might be the most controversial takeaway from Game 1.
Tampa Bay finished 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.
The Rays had opportunities to score against Misiorowski and Milwaukee's bullpen.
They failed to convert them.
Even their greatest strength, speed on the bases, worked against them.
William Contreras threw out two attempted base stealers, eliminating valuable opportunities for Tampa Bay.
The Rays were one timely hit away from turning Milwaukee's dream opening night into a disaster.
That is why the final score should worry Brewers fans more than they might want to admit.
Milwaukee deserved credit for delivering under pressure.
But Tampa Bay also has to ask itself how many chances it can waste against a championship caliber pitching staff.
Read the official MLB analysis of why Tampa Bay lost Game 1.
Does Game 1 Change the World Series Prediction?
Milwaukee now leads the best of seven series 1:0.
Historically, teams winning Game 1 have gone on to win the World Series approximately 62.8% of the time.
That gives Brewers supporters a legitimate reason for optimism.
But I would not write off Tampa Bay.
The Rays managed to keep the game close, made Milwaukee uncomfortable and nearly forced extra innings despite failing to deliver with runners in scoring position.
Game 2 features Drew Rasmussen against Logan Henderson.
If the Rays can improve their situational hitting and stop giving away outs on the bases, this series could become considerably more difficult for Milwaukee.
My verdict: Milwaukee won the game. Tampa Bay proved the Brewers are beatable.
World Series Game 1 FAQs
Who won Brewers vs Rays Game 1?
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3:2 on October 23, 2026, taking a 1:0 lead in the World Series.
Why was the final double play overturned?
Replay review determined that Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt had come off second base before completing the force out.
How fast did Jacob Misiorowski throw?
Misiorowski reached 103.5 mph, setting the record for the fastest pitch recorded in a World Series game.
Who got the final out?
Trevor Megill struck out Tampa Bay's Jonny DeLuca with runners on second and third.
When is World Series Game 2?
Game 2 takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 8 PM Eastern Time in Milwaukee.
Final Verdict: Did the Brewers Win, or Did the Rays Choke?
Milwaukee's fans will remember the victory.
Tampa Bay's players will remember the opportunities they wasted.
And everyone else will remember the moment when an entire stadium celebrated a win that replay review briefly took away.
The Brewers are three wins from a championship. But if Game 1 proved anything, it is that this World Series might be much closer than the standings suggest.
Now settle the argument.
Did Milwaukee show championship mentality, or did Tampa Bay throw away a game it should have won?
And after watching that ninth inning, who are you picking to win the World Series?
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