Milwaukee holds a 2-0 series lead over Tampa Bay after a dramatic Game 2 comeback, with dominant relief pitching and costly defensive mistakes shaping the Fall Classic.
MILWAUKEE — The so-called ‘Small Market’ World Series is not disappointing thus far, unless you’re a Rays fan. The games have come down to the very last pitch in what has been an impressive battle between the two best teams in each league.
The Brewers lead the series 2-0. If the ball bounced another way, they could be down 0-2, but their dominance can’t be overlooked. Now the series heads to Tropicana Field with the looming question: has American Family Field seen it’s last game in 2026?
Takeaways from the first two games of the World Series.
Milwaukee’s Bullpen is Unreal
The clear reason the Brewers have the advantage in the series is their bullpen, specifically the tandem of Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby. Both have appeared in the first two games of the World Series, and both have shut the Rays down.
Ashby has begun his postseason pitching 15 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball, the second most in MLB history, according to Sarah Langs of MLB Research. Assuming he records one more out before he yields a run, he will at least tie the record.
Uribe has been solid as well, getting massive outs for the Brewers, especially getting the sluggers at the top of the lineup in Game 2 somewhat with ease.
The question for the tandem is how far can they go? The off-day tomorrow helps, but with how heavily they’ve been used in the series, will that use start to show as the series goes on? The hope for the Brewers should be that the likes of JoJo Romero and DL Hall can step up if the situation comes. Also, if Trevor Megill continues to struggle the way he did in Game 1, that sets the Brewers bullpen back further.
Fundamental Questions?
Both teams have had some miscues. Game two started with Brewers rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt committing an error with that baserunner coming around to score the game’s first run just a few batters later.
And in a game the Rays lost by a slim one-run, the error on a ground ball through the wickets of Jonathan Arranda might haunt the Rays, even though the run likely would have scored regardless (there could have been a play at the plate).
Later in Game 2, Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson caught a shallow fly ball but failed to hold onto the ball, and it gave Milwaukee an opportunity to take the lead with two outs. And don’t get me started on the send to the plate by the Rays in the sixth inning.
Both teams were built on fundamentals and playing clean baseball. So far, those talents the sides clearly possess have not shown up. If the Rays want to get back in the series, they will need to play clean baseball. If the Brewers really want to distance themselves, they can by not giving away extra outs.
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