Welcome to the small-market World Series. Expect this theme to dominate coverage as the Rays and Brewers prepare to meet. The two clubs share top-line traits, but beneath them they differ sharply. Milwaukee ranks at the bottom of the league by metro population and MLB's internal market score, while Tampa Bay sits closer to the middle. Revenue flips that picture, since the Brewers are a regional franchise with fans across Wisconsin.
On the field, both teams have moved away from the strikeout and home run-heavy style of today's game, but they got there by different routes. The Brewers play like a small-ball offense when the situation calls for it, yet can muscle up when needed. The Rays ranked 29th in the share of runs scored via the homer, ahead of only Milwaukee. Both teams rely less on the long ball than they are capable of, and both produced balanced offenses during the playoffs.
Their paths to similar results diverge most clearly with the bases empty. The Brewers had the majors' lowest swing rate in those spots (42.5%) and saw the most pitches per plate appearance (4.07). The Rays swing more often and ambush early in counts, putting the ball in play at the second-best rate in the majors (78.2%).
That contrast is why this series is compelling. It is less about how the teams are alike than how they differ, and it could hinge on two of the game's best managers, Tampa Bay's Kevin Cash and Milwaukee's Pat Murphy.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing