The 2026 WORLD SERIES is almost here! The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are ready to battle for the first championship in franchise history. But which pitching staff has the advantage?

In Part 2 of our World Series Preview, Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and former MLB reliever Trevor May break down the starting rotations, bullpens, pitch arsenals and strategic matchups that could decide Brewers vs. Rays.

Game 1 features a fascinating contrast between Milwaukee's flamethrowing Jacob Misiorowski and Tampa Bay's remarkably consistent Drew Rasmussen, who was expected to start at the time of recording.

Eno digs into the evolution of Misiorowski's cutter and slider and explains why he might be pitching better than ever despite shorter postseason outings. The crew also examines Rasmussen's ability to remain effective deep into games, even the third time through the batting order.

But the biggest differences between these teams might emerge after the starters exit.

Do the Brewers have a decisive advantage in bullpen depth? How much can the Rays rely on Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour? And could Tampa Bay's unusual approach to pitching — from Seymour's elevated sweepers to Logan Henderson's deceptive fastball and changeup — create enough problems for Milwaukee's lineup?

The guys also break down how the Brewers might use Robert Gasser, Aaron Ashby and their other pitching options, and whether Tampa Bay has enough left-handed and right-handed hitting depth to counter Milwaukee's pitching matchups.

Finally, it's prediction time!

DVR, Eno and Trevor reveal their World Series winners, how many games the series will go, and their picks for World Series MVP.

Can the Brewers' bullpen depth be the deciding factor, or will Tampa Bay find a way to match Milwaukee pitch for pitch?

Drop your World Series winner and MVP prediction in the comments!

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We're heading to Milwaukee for Games 1 and 2! Look for additional coverage and pregame content throughout the opening weekend of the World Series.

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Trevor May

Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Intro

01:20 Pitching Strengths, Matchups & Bullpen Advantages

11:50 Drew Rasmussen and the Game 1 Matchup

19:46 Jacob Misiorowski's Evolving Arsenal

26:00 Logan Henderson's Fastball and Changeup

32:22 Ian Seymour's Unusual Sweeper

39:01 Griffin Jax and Tampa Bay's Pitching Depth

47:34 Robert Gasser and the Rays' Lineup Decisions

55:40 World Series Winner and MVP Predictions

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The 2026 WORLD SERIES is almost here! The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are four wins away from the first championship in franchise history. But which team has the advantage at the plate?

In Part 1 of our World Series Preview, Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie break down the hitters, offensive approaches and individual matchups that could decide the Fall Classic.

The Brewers and Rays share some remarkable similarities. Both teams get on base, create pressure with speed and manufacture runs without relying on home runs. But beneath those similarities are two very different offensive philosophies.

Milwaukee's hitters have developed an adaptable, up-the-middle approach, while Tampa Bay features an unusually diverse collection of swings and offensive skill sets. Which strategy will be more effective against elite World Series pitching?

The guys explore the adjustments opposing pitchers are making against **Jackson Chourio**, including an intriguing increase in high sinkers and a postseason spike in chase rate. They also examine why **Junior Caminero** is so difficult to pitch to, how his elite bat speed helps him punish pitches outside the strike zone, and whether Milwaukee can exploit any weaknesses.

Plus, Jed explains how **Brice Turang** transformed his offensive game, why **Jake Bauers** has become such a dangerous hitter, and what makes **Yandy Díaz** one of baseball's most consistently underrated offensive players.

We also discuss **Jonathan Aranda's** quiet postseason, **Garrett Mitchell's** untapped potential, and whether Milwaukee can contain **Chandler Simpson's** extraordinary speed.

Finally, Jed makes his World Series prediction and picks his World Series MVP!

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Which lineup has the World Series edge — Milwaukee or Tampa Bay? And which hitter do YOU think will have the biggest impact?

Our World Series Preview continues in Part 2 with a deep dive into the starting rotations, bullpen matchups and pitching strategies.

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CREDITS

Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Jed Lowrie

Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 World Series Preview: Brewers vs. Rays

02:05 Comparing the Lineups and Offensive Approaches

10:10 Brewers' Plate Discipline vs. Rays' Strike Throwing

15:30 Jonathan Aranda's Postseason Struggles

19:51 Why Yandy Díaz Is So Dangerous

26:26 How Do You Pitch to Junior Caminero?

35:30 Jackson Chourio and the High-Sinker Strategy

46:07 Jake Bauers' Breakout Season

51:32 How Brice Turang Added Power

56:12 Bat Speed, Plate Selectivity and Offensive Upside

1:03:04 Can Milwaukee Contain Chandler Simpson?

1:07:12 Jed's World Series Prediction and MVP Pick

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The 2026 World Series is SET! The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in a matchup between two of baseball's most innovative organizations. After defeating the Cleveland Guardians in six games, Tampa Bay is back in the Fall Classic for the first time since 2020. But can the Rays finish the job against the team with MLB's best regular-season record?

Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli break down the Rays' ALCS-clinching victory, Freddy Peralta's MVP performance, and the adjustments Tampa Bay made to help turn his season around. The crew also examines Kevin Cash's bullpen decisions, Junior Caminero's unforgettable home run and celebration, and the roster-building philosophies that helped both small-market teams reach the World Series.

Britt explains why the Rays and Brewers aren't simply feel-good underdogs — they're two of the best-run teams in baseball. And why can't organizations like the Yankees and Dodgers simply copy their formula?

Then it's time to look ahead for the Cleveland Guardians. Despite winning the AL Central and reaching the ALCS, Cleveland entered the season with a payroll below $72 million. Where did the money go, and how might the team's changing television revenue affect its future? The guys also debate Tanner Bibee's surprising absence from the ALCS, potential extensions, Steven Kwan's future and the heavy workload placed on Cade Smith.

Finally, we're Closing the Tab on the 2026 San Diego Padres!

Could San Diego make a massive offseason splash by pursuing Tarik Skubal? The crew explores a hypothetical path to adding an ace and discusses how much Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill can contribute to the Padres' next championship push.

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Who wins the World Series: Rays or Brewers? And should the Padres make an all-in move for an ace this offseason?

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt Ghiroli

Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Intro

00:36 Tampa Bay Wins the AL Pennant

01:25 Britt: These Are the Best Teams in Baseball

02:28 How the Rays and Brewers Built Their Success

04:23 Freddy Peralta Wins ALCS MVP

05:22 How Tampa Bay Changed Freddy Peralta

10:40 Kevin Cash's Bullpen Decisions

16:06 The Biggest Moments of Game 6

21:52 Why Other Teams Can't Copy the Rays and Brewers

29:18 What's Next for the Cleveland Guardians?

30:00 Cleveland's Surprisingly Low Payroll

36:36 Potential Extensions and Roster Decisions

40:37 Cleveland's Free Agents and Offseason Decisions

42:46 Could Steven Kwan Be Traded?

44:04 Cade Smith's Workload and Bullpen Fatigue

46:39 Closing the Tab: 2026 San Diego Padres

47:10 Will New Ownership Keep Spending?

50:02 San Diego's Starting Rotation Questions

51:22 Could the Padres Make a Blockbuster Move?

53:53 Finding Affordable Pitching Depth

56:17 Tarik Skubal to the Padres?

59:23 Manny Machado's Changing Role

1:00:22 Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill's Upside

1:03:09 Final Thoughts and What's Next

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