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The 2026 World Series features two franchises chasing something neither has accomplished: winning baseball’s ultimate championship. The Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers have earned their opportunities through outstanding seasons and impressive postseason performances. Milwaukee enters the Fall Classic with a franchise-record 103 regular-season victories. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay finished with 97 wins. The Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. The Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians in six games to capture the American League pennant. Now, both clubs prepare for Game 1 on Friday, October 23, at American Family Field. However, which players deserve the most attention heading into the championship series? Both rosters feature exceptional pitchers, dangerous hitters, outstanding defenders, and players who thrive under pressure. These rankings consider regular-season production, postseason performances, overall talent, and potential World Series impact.
1\. Junior Caminero — Tampa Bay Rays, Third Baseman
Junior Caminero enters the World Series as Tampa Bay’s most dangerous power hitter. The young third baseman produced his second consecutive season with at least 40 home runs. Furthermore, Caminero possesses the ability to change an entire game with one swing. His postseason production hasn’t always matched his regular-season dominance. However, his home run during Game 6 against Cleveland reminded everyone about his tremendous power. Milwaukee must approach Caminero carefully, especially with runners in scoring position. Caminero takes the top ranking because his explosive bat could determine the championship.
2\. Jacob Misiorowski — Milwaukee Brewers, Starting Pitcher
Jacob Misiorowski gives Milwaukee an intimidating presence at the top of its starting rotation. His electric fastball and impressive strikeout ability make him one of baseball’s most challenging pitchers. Additionally, his outstanding regular season places him among the leading National League Cy Young Award candidates. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay presents a difficult matchup because its hitters consistently put baseballs into play. The Rays finished the regular season with fewer strikeouts than any other major league team. Misiorowski must attack the strike zone while avoiding unnecessary walks. If he dominates multiple starts, Milwaukee could gain a decisive advantage.
3\. Brice Turang — Milwaukee Brewers, Second Baseman
Brice Turang might represent the most complete position player in this World Series. The Milwaukee second baseman combines excellent defense, impressive speed, and an increasingly dangerous offensive approach. Turang finished the regular season with 21 home runs and 100 RBIs. Moreover, his defensive abilities give Milwaukee an advantage on balls hit toward the middle of the infield. His speed also creates scoring opportunities without requiring extra-base hits. Against Tampa Bay’s talented pitching staff, Turang could manufacture runs through aggressive baserunning. Consequently, his all-around abilities make him one of Milwaukee’s most valuable championship pieces.
4\. Drew Rasmussen — Tampa Bay Rays, Starting Pitcher
Drew Rasmussen enters the World Series with an opportunity to defeat his former organization. Milwaukee originally drafted Rasmussen in 2018 before eventually trading him to Tampa Bay. Since then, the right-hander has developed into one of the Rays’ most dependable starting pitchers. Rasmussen recorded a 2.67 ERA across 30 regular season starts in 2026. Additionally, he posted a 2.76 ERA during the previous season. His command and ability to limit damaging contact make him particularly dangerous during October. The Rays expect Rasmussen to start Game 1, giving him an immediate opportunity to establish momentum. A dominant opening performance could place Tampa Bay in an excellent position.
5\. Jackson Chourio — Milwaukee Brewers, Outfielder
Jackson Chourio gives Milwaukee an exciting combination of power, speed, and defensive ability. At just 22 years old, Chourio has already established himself among baseball’s most talented young outfielders. He became the first player in major league history to record three 20-homer, 20-steal seasons through age 22. Furthermore, his athleticism creates problems for opposing pitchers and defenses. Chourio can drive baseballs into the gaps, steal bases, and make spectacular catches. His aggressive approach also gives Milwaukee another dangerous weapon near the top of its lineup. Tampa Bay must prevent Chourio from creating early scoring opportunities. Otherwise, his combination of speed and power could swing several games toward Milwaukee.
6\. Freddy Peralta — Tampa Bay Rays, Starting Pitcher
Freddy Peralta enters this championship with one of the series’ most fascinating storylines. The former Milwaukee standout now pitches for Tampa Bay against the organization that helped establish his career. Peralta spent eight seasons with Milwaukee before joining the New York Mets. However, Tampa Bay acquired him during the 2026 trade deadline. Since arriving, Peralta has become an essential part of the Rays’ postseason pitching staff. His outstanding performances against Cleveland earned him American League Championship Series MVP honors. Additionally, his familiarity with Milwaukee creates an intriguing matchup. Peralta understands the organization, while several Brewers hitters know his pitching tendencies. Ultimately, his ability to control Milwaukee’s lineup could determine Tampa Bay’s championship chances.
7\. William Contreras — Milwaukee Brewers, Catcher
William Contreras enters the World Series playing some of his best baseball. The Milwaukee catcher recorded a .367 batting average through eight postseason games. Furthermore, he contributed three home runs, five RBIs, and an impressive 1.157 OPS. Those numbers demonstrate his importance to Milwaukee’s offensive success. However, Contreras contributes much more than offensive production. His ability to manage Milwaukee’s pitching staff gives the Brewers another significant advantage. Contreras must handle Tampa Bay’s aggressive hitters while helping his pitchers navigate difficult situations. Meanwhile, his bat could produce several crucial runs. If Contreras continues his October success, he could become a legitimate World Series MVP candidate.
8\. Yandy Díaz — Tampa Bay Rays, Designated Hitter
Yandy Díaz provides Tampa Bay with veteran leadership and a consistent offensive presence. His disciplined approach makes him particularly valuable against Milwaukee’s talented pitching staff. Díaz finished the regular season with a 124 OPS+, comfortably above the league average. Meanwhile, Milwaukee veteran Christian Yelich finished with a 91 OPS+. Those numbers demonstrate Díaz’s stronger offensive production during the regular season. Additionally, Díaz can extend at-bats and force opposing pitchers to work harder. That approach could prove especially important against Milwaukee’s starting rotation. The Rays must create opportunities for Caminero and their other dangerous hitters. Díaz could become the player who consistently puts runners aboard before Tampa Bay’s biggest swings.
9\. Aaron Ashby — Milwaukee Brewers, Relief Pitcher
Aaron Ashby might become the most important bullpen arm in this championship series. The Milwaukee left-hander enters the World Series following an exceptional postseason performance. Ashby hasn’t surrendered a run through his first 12⅓ playoff innings. Furthermore, he delivered three scoreless innings while closing out Milwaukee’s NLCS sweep. His powerful sinker and impressive secondary pitches create difficult matchups for opposing hitters. Ashby also generates swings and misses with his slider, curveball, and changeup. Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy can deploy him during the game’s most critical situations. Consequently, Ashby could determine several outcomes without recording a traditional save. His ability to escape jams makes him an especially dangerous weapon against Tampa Bay.
10\. Bryan Baker — Tampa Bay Rays, Relief Pitcher
Bryan Baker gives Tampa Bay a dependable closer capable of protecting narrow leads. Baker recorded 41 saves during the regular season, tying for the major league lead. Additionally, he finished with an outstanding 1.44 ERA and earned his first All-Star selection. His postseason performance has been equally impressive. Baker entered the World Series with five playoff saves and seven scoreless innings. However, his heavy workload during the ALCS creates some concern. His fastball velocity declined during Game 6 against Cleveland. Nevertheless, additional rest could help Baker recover before the championship series begins. The Rays need their closer healthy and effective against Milwaukee’s deep lineup. If Baker maintains his regular-season form, Tampa Bay can confidently protect late leads.
11\. Jake Bauers — Milwaukee Brewers, First Baseman
Jake Bauers has developed into one of Milwaukee’s most important postseason contributors. The former Tampa Bay prospect now faces his original major league organization. Bauers made his major league debut with the Rays in 2018. However, his career eventually took him through several organizations before Milwaukee provided stability. Now, Bauers enters the World Series as the National League Championship Series MVP. His offensive contributions helped Milwaukee sweep the Dodgers and advance to the Fall Classic. Furthermore, Bauers provides valuable power and the ability to reach base consistently. His postseason success could make him a dangerous matchup for Tampa Bay’s pitching staff. Few storylines would carry more significance than Bauers delivering a championship against his former club.
12\. Chandler Simpson — Tampa Bay Rays, Outfielder
Chandler Simpson gives Tampa Bay a different offensive weapon than most players in this series. Rather than relying on home runs, Simpson creates problems through speed and contact. His ability to put baseballs into play forces opposing defenders to make quick decisions. Additionally, his baserunning can transform an ordinary single into a significant scoring opportunity. Simpson has also improved defensively, earning recognition as a 2026 Gold Glove finalist. That development makes him an increasingly complete player. Milwaukee must control Simpson whenever he reaches base. Otherwise, his speed could pressure the Brewers into mistakes. In a closely contested championship, one stolen base or defensive miscue could change everything.
Who Has the Biggest Advantage?
Both teams possess enough talent to win their first World Series championship. Milwaukee features exceptional depth, outstanding defense, and one of baseball’s strongest bullpens. The Brewers’ relievers enter the series with a remarkable 1.33 postseason ERA. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay counters with tremendous starting pitching, dangerous hitters, and exceptional contact skills. The Rays’ bullpen also offers reliable late-inning options despite throwing considerably slower fastballs than Milwaukee. However, the championship could ultimately depend on two players. Caminero must deliver timely power for Tampa Bay, while Misiorowski must control the Rays’ lineup. Their performances could establish the direction of the series. Nevertheless, baseball championships rarely depend on superstars alone.
Players like Turang, Simpson, Contreras, and Ashby could make equally important contributions. Milwaukee’s home-field advantage and bullpen depth provide meaningful strengths. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s starting rotation gives the Rays an opportunity to control games early. One thing remains certain: either Milwaukee or Tampa Bay will celebrate a historic first championship. For the Rays, that would erase the disappointment of their 2008 and 2020 World Series defeats. For the Brewers, it would finally deliver the championship that escaped them in 1982. My pick for the most impactful player: Junior Caminero. His power, confidence, and ability to produce game-changing swings give Tampa Bay a dangerous advantage. However, Jacob Misiorowski remains my strongest candidate to challenge him for World Series MVP honors. The stage belongs to these players now. Their performances will determine which franchise finally reaches baseball’s summit.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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