Brewers vs Rays Game 4: Pitchers, Lineups, Prediction

Brewers vs Rays Game 4: Pitchers, Lineups, Prediction

October 27, 2026 | World Series Game 4 Preview | MLB

The Tampa Bay Rays are one loss away from a World Series sweep.

The Milwaukee Brewers are one win away from their first championship.

And somehow, the team about to make history has not even confirmed who will start on the mound.

Griffin Jax will pitch for Tampa Bay. Milwaukee could counter with Shane Drohan, Dustin May, Kyle Harrison or an opener followed by its dominant bullpen.

After getting humiliated 10 to 1 in Game 3, the Rays are facing the biggest game of their season.

But here is the uncomfortable question.

Has Kevin Cash already lost control of this World Series, or can Griffin Jax deliver the miracle Tampa Bay desperately needs?

Brewers vs Rays Game 4: Starting Pitchers, Time and TV

Milwaukee can clinch the 2026 World Series with a win tonight. Tampa Bay must win to keep its season alive.

For any last minute pitching changes, see the official MLB World Series Game 4 preview.

Who Is Pitching for the Rays in Game 4? Griffin Jax

The Rays are putting their championship hopes in the hands of Griffin Jax.

His 2026 regular season statistics:

Those numbers hardly scream unhittable ace.

But they do not tell the full story.

Jax finished the regular season strongly, allowing just one run over his final four starts, covering 18 innings.

The Rays won all four of those games.

That version of Jax is exactly what Tampa Bay needs tonight.

The concern is his postseason performance.

Jax surrendered three runs in four innings against Cleveland in the ALCS.

And now he must face the hottest lineup in baseball.

If Jax cannot get through the early innings without allowing traffic on the bases, this World Series could be over before Tampa Bay gets a chance to respond.

My assessment: Jax has the ability to keep the Rays competitive, but asking him to rescue a team trailing three games to none is an enormous challenge.

Who Is Starting for the Brewers in Game 4?

Milwaukee has not officially named its Game 4 starting pitcher.

That uncertainty is fascinating.

The Brewers have several possibilities.

Shane Drohan: The left hander opened Game 4 of the NLCS against the Dodgers. He is familiar with a short outing followed by multiple relievers.

Dustin May: The right hander has previous World Series experience and pitched a scoreless inning in Game 2.

Kyle Harrison: Another left handed option who has yet to appear in the 2026 postseason.

Bullpen opener: Manager Pat Murphy could start a reliever and rotate pitchers based on matchups.

Brandon Woodruff was originally preparing for a potential Game 4 start. But after pitching the ninth inning of Game 3, consecutive appearances appear less likely.

This is where Milwaukee has a huge advantage.

The Brewers rested their most important late inning relievers during Monday's blowout.

Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill should be available.

Milwaukee might not need six innings from one starter. It can potentially win the championship by asking several fresh pitchers to dominate smaller portions of the game.

That is a nightmare for a Rays lineup already struggling to produce runs.

Did Kevin Cash's Pitching Strategy Destroy Tampa Bay's World Series?

Let's look at the bigger picture.

In Game 1, Kevin Cash started Nick Martinez and saved Drew Rasmussen.

The Rays lost.

In Game 2, Rasmussen lasted only 3 2/3 innings, and Tampa Bay blew an early four run lead.

In Game 3, Freddy Peralta could not finish the fifth inning, and Milwaukee exploded for eight runs.

Now Griffin Jax must keep Tampa Bay alive.

Three games. Three defeats. And the Rays still have not found a reliable answer to Milwaukee's offense.

Is every decision Cash made indefensible?

No.

There were reasonable tactical arguments for his pitching choices.

But the results have been brutal.

And managers are judged by results when the stakes are this high.

The most damaging part is not simply that Tampa Bay is losing.

It is how badly the Rays have executed when opportunities appeared.

They nearly stole Game 1.

They had a four run lead in Game 2.

They were one out away from escaping a critical inning in Game 3.

Every time, Milwaukee found a way to take control.

My verdict: The Rays have not just been beaten by better pitching. They have repeatedly failed to finish the job.

Projected Brewers vs Rays Game 4 Lineups

These are projected batting orders from MLB's pregame preview, not confirmed lineups.

Milwaukee's biggest weapon right now is Jackson Chourio.

He enters Game 4 with eight hits in 14 World Series at bats.

William Contreras is another enormous threat, with seven hits in 13 at bats.

For Tampa Bay, the pressure is on Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz and Jonathan Aranda to produce immediately.

The Rays cannot afford another game in which their offense disappears for multiple innings.

WATCH: The Historic Game 3 Collapse That Put the Rays on the Brink

Milwaukee scored eight runs in the fifth inning of Game 3, all with two outs.

It was a World Series record and turned the game into a 10 to 1 rout.

Watch the official MLB highlights and see why Game 4 has become a must win situation for Tampa Bay.

Watch Brewers vs Rays Game 3 highlights on YouTube

Alternative: Watch the verified MLB Game 3 highlights

Three Things That Could Decide Game 4

1. Can Griffin Jax survive the first four innings?

Milwaukee's hitters have demonstrated extraordinary patience and an ability to string together hits.

If Jax throws too many pitches early, Cash may have to return to a bullpen that has already struggled throughout the World Series.

2. Can the Rays finally limit Jackson Chourio?

Chourio has been one of the most productive hitters in the series.

Allowing him to reach base repeatedly creates immediate pressure for the middle of Milwaukee's batting order.

Tampa Bay must prevent another huge offensive inning.

3. Can Milwaukee's rested bullpen close out the championship?

Ashby, Uribe and Megill had a valuable night of rest in Game 3.

If Milwaukee takes a lead into the final innings, Murphy can potentially use his strongest relievers to finish the series.

The Rays cannot wait until the ninth inning to start hitting.

Brewers vs Rays Game 4 Prediction: Will Milwaukee Complete the Sweep?

Tampa Bay is capable of winning one baseball game.

Jax has demonstrated that he can deliver quality starts.

And the Rays will be playing at home with their season on the line.

But the evidence from the first three games is difficult to ignore.

Milwaukee has the more productive offense.

Its bullpen is well rested.

Its hitters are executing in critical moments.

And Tampa Bay has repeatedly failed to turn competitive situations into victories.

My Game 4 prediction: Brewers 5, Rays 2.

I expect the Brewers to use multiple pitchers, control the middle innings and take advantage of another Rays pitching mistake.

My bold prediction: Jackson Chourio finishes the series as the leading World Series MVP candidate.

The Rays could absolutely extend the series.

But Milwaukee has given us very few reasons to believe it will suddenly lose control now.

Brewers vs Rays Game 4 Frequently Asked Questions

Who is pitching for the Rays in Game 4?

Griffin Jax is Tampa Bay's confirmed starting pitcher for Game 4 of the 2026 World Series.

Who is pitching for the Brewers tonight?

Milwaukee has not officially confirmed its starting pitcher. Shane Drohan, Dustin May and Kyle Harrison are potential options, while the Brewers could also use a bullpen opener.

What time is World Series Game 4?

Game 4 begins Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

Where is Brewers vs Rays Game 4 being played?

The game takes place at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

What channel is World Series Game 4 on?

The game airs on FOX and FOX Deportes in the United States, with streaming on FOX One.

What is the World Series score?

Milwaukee leads Tampa Bay three games to none.

Can the Rays still win the World Series?

Yes. Tampa Bay must win four consecutive games to take the championship. No team has previously recovered from a three game deficit to win the World Series.

Who is favored to win Game 4?

Milwaukee is a pregame favorite in available betting markets, supported by its current series lead and recent form. Odds can change before first pitch.

When is World Series Game 5?

If necessary, Game 5 will be played Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Tropicana Field.

Final Verdict: Is Tonight the End of Tampa Bay's World Series Dream?

The Rays entered the World Series believing they could compete with anyone.

Three games later, they are facing elimination.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee is one win away from something its fans have waited their entire lives to experience.

And the most remarkable part?

The Brewers are in position to clinch their first championship without needing to announce a traditional Game 4 starting pitcher in advance.

That tells you how much confidence they have in their pitching depth.

Kevin Cash needs Griffin Jax to deliver.

Pat Murphy needs only one more victory.

The difference in pressure could not be greater.

My pick: Milwaukee completes the sweep tonight.

Now the debate.

Has Kevin Cash mismanaged this World Series, or have the Brewers simply been too good for Tampa Bay?

And who wins Game 4?

Brewers or Rays?