5 Keys to the Rays Beating Brewers and Winning Their First World Series

The Tampa Bay Rays are heading to the World Series for the first time since 2020, and the organization is now just four victories away from winning its first championship.

However, standing in their way is a Milwaukee Brewers team that won 103 games during the regular season and swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series.

And while Milwaukee enters the series as the favorite, and is also looking for their first World Series win in franchise history, I think Tampa Bay has several reasons to believe it can win.

Especially given how the Rays have performed throughout October, here are five keys that could help Tampa Bay win its first World Series championship.

One of Tampa Bay's biggest advantages throughout the postseason has been its starting rotation.

Drew Rasmussen has allowed just three earned runs across 21 postseason innings, while Freddy Peralta was named ALCS MVP after allowing one earned run in 12 innings against Cleveland.

And now Nick Martinez will get the start in Game 1 after finishing the regular season with a 3.10 ERA.

The Brewers have relied heavily on their bullpen throughout October, while the Rays have consistently received strong outings from their starters.

If Tampa Bay can continue getting six or seven innings from its rotation, Kevin Cash will have considerably more flexibility managing his bullpen.

Milwaukee's bullpen has been one of the best in baseball throughout the postseason.

And considering how difficult it has been to score against the Brewers' relievers, Tampa Bay needs to capitalize on opportunities early in games.

The Rays did an excellent job forcing Cleveland's pitchers to work during the ALCS, particularly in Game 6 when they recorded six walks and struck out just three times.

That same approach will be important against Milwaukee.

Especially against Game 1 starter Jacob Misiorowski, who has been difficult to hit but hasn't consistently pitched deep into games. If they get runners in scoring position, they must be able to capitalize.

The Rays reached the World Series despite inconsistent offensive production from some of their biggest stars.

However, that began to change in Game 6 against Cleveland.

Yandy Díaz connected on an important two-run home run in the eighth inning, while Junior Caminero finally recorded his first postseason home run.

And considering Caminero hit 42 home runs during the regular season, I think his performance could be an important development heading into the World Series.

Díaz has already established himself as one of Tampa Bay's most dependable postseason hitters, but if Caminero can begin producing consistently alongside him, this lineup becomes much more difficult for Milwaukee to face.

Tampa Bay's starting pitching has been outstanding, but that doesn't mean the bullpen won't play an important role.

Especially considering how quickly games can change during the postseason.

We saw that against Cleveland in Game 6 when the Guardians cut Tampa Bay's lead to two runs in the eighth inning.

Kevin Kelly eventually escaped a bases-loaded situation with an important strikeout, and Bryan Baker finished the game in the ninth.

Cash needs to be careful about which relievers he trusts in high-pressure situations.

Cam Booser, Kelly and Baker have all delivered important performances throughout October.

And with Milwaukee's dangerous lineup, having those pitchers available when games are close could make a significant difference.

While Díaz and Caminero will receive plenty of attention, the Rays cannot expect those two players to carry the entire offense.

And one of the biggest reasons Tampa Bay reached the World Series has been the contributions it received from players throughout its roster.

Richie Palacios delivered an important two-run double in Game 6 against Cleveland.

Victor Mesa Jr. has provided important production offensively and defensively, while Chandler Simpson continues creating opportunities with his speed.

The Rays need consistent production throughout the lineup and cannot afford to become overly dependent on their biggest stars.

Ultimately, I think Tampa Bay has a legitimate opportunity to win this series.

Milwaukee deserves plenty of respect for what it accomplished throughout the regular season and postseason, but the Rays have already proven they can win games in several different ways.

And if their starting pitching continues dominating, their biggest stars deliver offensively, and Cash manages his bullpen effectively, Tampa Bay could be celebrating its first World Series championship.