MLB Baseball 24-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 24, 2026, 3:40 PM ET
World Series Opener
The Brewers took Game 1 espn.com over the Rays in Milwaukee on Friday, surviving a late scare that included a seemingly game-ending play overturned on replay. Milwaukee fans, who waited 44 years for another Fall Classic, celebrated with tailgates and watch parties espn.com across the city. Reliever Megill escaped the ninth-inning jam espn.com that decided the opener.
Tampa Bay's baserunning drew scrutiny after two costly miscues, but the Rays said they will stay aggressive espn.com on the bases. Commissioner Rob Manfred called a small-market matchup good for the game espn.com, while maintaining that a salary cap is still needed.
Pitching Decisions
Tampa Bay surprised observers espn.com by starting Nick Martinez over ace Drew Rasmussen in Game. Milwaukee added Brandon Woodruff espn.com to the roster, his first action since a July 4 shoulder injury. Jacob Misiorowski's unusual talents espn.com have drawn attention as the series begins.
Series Preview and Umpires
Both rosters were ranked player by player espn.com, and predictions espn.com on series length and likely MVPs are circulating. Nic Lentz and Gabe Morales will make their World Series umpiring debuts espn.com on a crew led by Hoye.
Around the League
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said he will return in 2027 espn.com, dismissing Mariners speculation. Former Yankees slugger Hideki Matsui was named manager espn.com of Japan's Yomiuri Giants. Todd Benzinger, a member of the Reds' 1990 championship team, died at 63 espn.com.
Coming Up
Game 2 of the World Series follows in Milwaukee espn.com, with the series shifting between two domed and retractable-roof venues espn.com as it progresses.