Rays Reveal Starting Pitcher for Game 1 of 2026 World Series vs. Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers

The Tampa Bay Rays have named their starter for Game 1 of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Nick Martinez, who started once in the divisional series against the New York Yankees and once against the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS, will be on the bump against Milwaukee and its star ace, Jacob Misiorowski.

Martinez, 36, joined the Rays this offseason and put together one of the best seasons of his career, going 15-6 as he recorded a 3.10 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP with 109 strikeouts.

In a series-clinching Game 3 against the Yankees in the ALDS, Martinez went 3.2 innings, giving up five hits, two runs and a walk while striking out three. In Game 4 against the Guardians in the ALCS, he was credited with the win after pitching 5.1 innings and giving up just two hits and a run with three strikeouts.

Things will only get tougher in the World Series, though, as he faces a Brewers lineup that has recorded the best average (.250) and the most home runs (10) in the postseason so far.

On the hill for the Brewers will be the presumed NL Cy Young Award winner, Misiorowski, who led the majors in ERA (1.80), strikeouts (252) and WHIP (0.80) this year.

He's been a bit dissapointing in the postseason so far, going just 8.1 innings and recording a 3.24 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP through two games. He's had almost two weeks off, though, and should return to the mound ready to shut down the Rays' offense.

Who will come after Martinez in the Rays' rotation remains to be seen, but they'll look for him to put together a solid start to give Tampa Bay an early edge in what should be an exciting series.