Rays join Brewers in 2026 World Series after ALCS win vs. Guardians

The Tampa Bay Rays are back in the World Series! After six years, Tampa Bay will be playing in the final series of the MLB season. They advanced by beating the Cleveland Guardians in six games in the American League Championship Series. Now, the Rays will take on the Milwaukee Brewers for the championship this season.

The Rays are advancing to the World Series after a dominant 7-3 win in Game 6 of the ALCS against the Guardians. Tampa Bay opened up the scoring in the second inning after a two-run knock by Richie Palacios, and they never looked back from that. They scored one more run in the third inning before Cleveland scored its first run in the sixth inning.

The Guardians were on the verge of mounting a comeback after scoring two runs on Tyler Wells at the top of the eighth inning. However, the Rays scored two more insurance runs in the bottom of that same inning off a Yandy Diaz home run, sealing the deal for Tampa Bay.

The Rays last appeared in the World Series back in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Back then, Tampa Bay faced the Los Angeles Dodgers. At the time, fans weren't allowed to attend games in person. The Rays lost that series 4-2. Now, the fans will be able to wholeheartedly cheer for their team in person as they look to win their first World Series in franchise history.

This time around, the Rays will take on the Milwaukee Brewers in the World Series. Milwaukee has been dominant this postseason, dismantling the defending champions Dodgers in a four-game sweep. Milwaukee will have the advantage of longer rest against Tampa Bay… but Tampa Bay's momentum could help them overcome this disadvantage.