The Milwaukee Brewers’ most influential presence this postseason has not been one individual.

Jacob Misiorowski is their biggest star, but he pitches only once every five days.

Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Christian Yelich, Jake Bauers and Brice Turang consistently contribute and helped Milwaukee reach the World Series, but the bullpen remains the most intimidating part of the team.

That collection of arms changed another game Saturday, helping Milwaukee defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 in Game 2 of the World Series and take a 2-0 lead.

Milwaukee’s relievers usually protect leads and finish victories. On Saturday, their dominance gave the offense enough time to erase a deficit.

Tampa Bay scored four runs against Logan Henderson in the first inning and appeared positioned to win Game 2, even the series and take homefield advantage from Milwaukee. The Rays never scored again.

The Brewers’ bullpen took over in the fourth and delivered six nearly flawless innings. That kept Tampa Bay within reach while Milwaukee scored in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings before taking its first lead.

The bullpen then completed the job in the eighth and ninth.

Milwaukee became only the fifth team to give up four runs in the first inning of a World Series game and still win.

The Brewers recorded the best bullpen ERA in the National League during the regular season at 3.40, which ranked third in MLB. They have improved during the postseason.

Milwaukee’s relievers threw six scoreless innings Saturday, surrendering four hits. Their postseason ERA fell to 1.24 through 10 games, while opponents are hitting .164 against them.

The success does not belong to one pitcher. DL Hall, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby have been particularly dominant throughout the season and postseason. They completed the seventh, eighth and ninth innings Saturday.

Ashby has thrown 15.2 consecutive scoreless innings over eight postseason appearances.

Milwaukee’s bullpen changes games in multiple ways. When the offense scores early, the relievers shorten the contest. When the Brewers fall behind, they prevent the deficit from growing and create time for a comeback.

The entire team has demonstrated that its collective performance can exceed what the individual pieces suggest, particularly throughout the rotation and lineup.

The bullpen takes that identity further because every available arm has delivered without allowing personal roles to become a distraction.

Closer Trevor Megill emphasized that Milwaukee is pursuing a World Series ring rather than accommodating egos when asked about not receiving the save opportunity for the second time this postseason.

“We’re not here for egos, we’re here to win a ring,” Megill told Josh Albrecht from Wisconsin Sports Radio Network.

Megill struggled while closing Game 1, so manager Pat Murphy trusted Ashby to record the save in Game 2.

That acceptance makes the bullpen even more difficult to manage against. Murphy can choose the pitcher best suited for each moment, while the others remain prepared instead of resenting the assignment.

Milwaukee’s relievers care more about securing the victory than receiving individual recognition.