98 Wins, One Loss: Rays Fall to Brewers in World Series

The Tampa Bay Rays returned to a quiet clubhouse at Tropicana Field past midnight on Thursday, still processing the 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers that ended their season. The result capped a five-game World Series and brought to a close an eight-month run that began with their return to the home ballpark.

Players described a mix of sadness and pride. All-Star closer Bryan Baker, who threw a scoreless eighth inning in Game 5, said he was proud to be part of the group. Baker had worked two innings the day before in a 12-inning win, a feat he had not achieved all year. The pitching plan was assembled quickly because starter Nick Martinez was needed for relief in Game 4.

Ace Drew Rasmussen started on three days of rest for the first time as a full-time starter. He threw 48 pitches over four innings, allowing one run, before manager Kevin Cash pulled him per a pre-set limit of four innings or 60 pitches. Cash said it was the easiest call of the game to remove him. Reliever Kevin Kelly gave up three straight one-out singles, allowing David Hamilton’s ground ball to score Cooper Pratt and extend the Brewers’ lead. Milwaukee added two more runs in the sixth before Jacob Misiorowski and three relievers held Tampa Bay scoreless until the ninth.

The Rays had finished fourth in the American League East in consecutive seasons and were widely projected to place fifth in 2026. Instead, they secured the league’s best record in late June and won 98 regular-season games. They swept the New York Yankees in the Division Series and defeated the Cleveland Guardians in six games in the AL Championship Series. The team had played the 2025 season at the Yankees’ spring training facility after Hurricane Milton damaged their dome.

Tampa Bay’s strategy relied on a strong rotation and constant pressure. They posted the majors’ highest contact rate and lowest strikeout rate, bunted more than any other club, and finished second in steals. Power came primarily from Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, and Jonathan Aranda. Rasmussen and Martinez were named All-Stars, and Freddy Peralta performed well after a trade-deadline acquisition.

Polish slipped early in the Series, with uncharacteristic defensive and baserunning mistakes contributing to a 3-0 series deficit. No team has ever recovered from such a hole in a World Series. Caminero, 23, played through an aggravated left foot injury in Game 5 and went 1-for-4. He said through Spanish remarks that Milwaukee played very good baseball and that the team gave its best, though it did not turn out as wanted.

Manager Cash said he was crushed and disappointed, but the team’s bond eased the pain. Many players credited Martinez, a 36-year-old who signed a one-year deal before spring training and organized team dinners in every road city. The club reached its third World Series in 29 years and set a franchise record with 106 total wins including the playoffs. Baker called the Brewers’ performance an impressive display of baseball.