The Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers will meet in a Fall Classic that could be determined by their starting rotations. Neither franchise has previously won the World Series.

One of the central questions is whether the Brewers can continue winning without their aces consistently pitching like aces.

Something has gone somewhat unnoticed during Milwaukee’s October run: Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson have not possessed their best stuff. Fortunately for the Brewers, it has not prevented them from advancing.

Milwaukee’s bullpen has been almost untouchable, with JoJo Romero, Abner Uribe, DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and Trevor Megill carrying a significant workload. The lineup has also continued producing timely hits.

The Brewers swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series without requiring Misiorowski to perform like the flame-throwing National League Cy Young Award winner he is expected to become.

Tampa Bay, however, presents the worst possible matchup for that formula.

The Rays do not strike out frequently. They foul off pitches, extend counts and grind through at-bats. That approach is specifically designed to force starting pitchers from games early and make opposing bullpens work throughout a seven-game series.

Milwaukee’s plan could include a bullpen game during Game 4 of the World Series at Tropicana Field, similar to the strategy it used against the Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.

Against a patient Tampa Bay lineup, that decision could create considerably more danger.

The fundamental difference between the teams is clear. Tampa Bay is placing enormous responsibility on two starting pitchers, Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta.

Milwaukee is relying on its depth and the number of pitchers available, with no individual arm required to be perfect. Both approaches have survived throughout October, but one will likely fail during the World Series.

On the surface, Tampa Bay has the smaller margin for error. If Rasmussen and Peralta each deliver an outstanding start in Milwaukee, the Rays can make the matchup extremely competitive.

If either pitcher finally runs out of energy, the Brewers’ first World Series title could become inevitable.

Misiorowski and Henderson can prevent Tampa Bay from controlling the series by giving Milwaukee more length than they provided in previous rounds.

Both have the ability to challenge hitters directly, but they must avoid allowing the Rays’ patience to dictate every at-bat.

Misiorowski’s velocity can overwhelm opponents, although Tampa Bay will attempt to increase his pitch count rather than chase difficult offerings. He will need to remain composed when hitters spoil pitches and refuse to expand the strike zone.

Henderson can provide a different challenge through control and a calmer rhythm. His responsibility will be to prevent long at-bats from becoming extended innings.

Neither pitcher needs to carry Milwaukee alone. The bullpen has already demonstrated that it can protect leads and cover considerable innings.

However, stronger performances from Misiorowski and Henderson would prevent overexposure and preserve Murphy’s options later in the series.

Milwaukee reached the World Series without receiving the best version of either starter. Defeating Tampa Bay may require both to move considerably closer to it.