The Milwaukee Brewers have already punched their ticket to the World Series, knocking off the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. A shocking and thrilling outcome, to say the least. The Brewers were the first team to sweep the Dodgers in a best-of-seven postseason series since the 1966 World Series, when the Baltimore Orioles dominated Los Angeles. The Brewers are back in the Fall Classic for the first time since 1982. Who will they face? Let’s discuss where things are at in the ALCS.
After losing two of the first three games, the Tampa Bay Rays won Games 4 and 5 in Cleveland to take a 3-2 lead back to St. Petersburg. Former New York Met Freddy Peralta will take the ball in Monday’s Game 6, hoping to send the Rays to the World Series for the first time since 2020.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is taking an “all hands on deck” approach, with reliever Shawn Armstrong starting as an opener. The Guardians noted Gavin Williams will not be available tonight on short rest, but could pitch in a potential Game 7 on Tuesday.
That’s where things currently stand. Let’s take a look at both potential World Series matchups and who may have the advantage.
Via MLB
Milwaukee Brewers vs Tampa Bay Rays
Season Series: Brewers Won 2 of 3
How much can we take from their regular season matchups? Not much. That three-game series took place in late March and early April. That series featured a game in which Brandon Woodruff and Shane McClanahan started against each other; neither has pitched in this postseason. However, Woodruff’s name has been discussed as a potential option for the Brewers’ World Series roster. He last pitched on July 4 before Milwaukee shut him down with right shoulder inflammation.
As things stand, the Brewers would likely be favored to beat the Rays in a seven-game series. They match up well in terms of pitching. The Rays probably have the advantage when it comes to starters who can provide more length. Tampa Bay has gotten six innings or more from their starter in four games this postseason. Milwaukee has yet to have a starter complete six innings through two playoff rounds.
The separating factor is the two lineups. Milwaukee is slashing .250/.343/.396 with 10 home runs and 32 runs batted in. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is slashing .232/.281/.344 with five home runs and 25 runs batted in. The Brewers have been able to score enough, despite Jackson Chourio hitting .171 with a .553 OPS. The Rays do not have that same luxury when it comes to Junior Caminero. Through eight postseason games, he is hitting .233 with a .636 OPS and 13 strikeouts. If he can’t improve his numbers, it’s hard to imagine a world where Tampa Bay wins the World Series. If he does, though, the Rays take down the Brewers.
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Milwaukee Brewers vs Cleveland Guardians
While this series didn’t take place in the first week of the season, there isn’t much to take away from this one either. The Brewers and Guardians met in mid-June, with Robert Gasser and Chad Patrick earning the two wins for Milwaukee.The lone win for Cleveland was largely a credit to Parker Messick providing a quality start in the series finale.
The Guardians are built similarly to the Rays. Heavy emphasis on good starting pitching, with a few quality bats delivering in the big moments. If Cleveland is able to overcome a 3-2 deficit in the ALCS, Williams would need to maintain his current level, and Messick would need to improve. Beyond them, strong contributions from Tanner Bibee and Foster Griffin would help.
Like the Rays, the Guardians’ offense has not performed well overall this postseason. Through 10 games, they are slashing .225/.310/.343 with seven home runs and 37 runs batted in. That being said, two bats towards the top of their order have had a ton of playoff success. José Ramírez and Chase DeLauter. The two have combined for three home runs, 14 runs batted in, and seven total extra-base hits. Ramírez in particular has turned the corner after an underwhelming regular season, slashing .324/.419/.568 in the postseason. If he can maintain that level of production in a potential World Series, upsetting the Brewers could be on the cards.
