The Milwaukee Brewers face the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the 2026 MLB World Series on Friday, October 23, 2026. With both teams looking to capture their first World Series championship, the opening game could set the tone for the best-of-seven series.
The Brewers enter Game 1 with home-field advantage, but what happens if Milwaukee wins, ties or loses against Tampa Bay?
Here’s a breakdown of every scenario and what it means for the Brewers’ championship hopes.
What Happens If the Brewers Win Game 1 vs. Rays?
If the Milwaukee Brewers defeat the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1, Milwaukee will take a 1-0 lead in the 2026 World Series.
A victory would mean:
- The Brewers take a 1-0 series lead.
- Milwaukee needs just three more wins to capture the World Series championship.
- Tampa Bay would need to win four of the remaining six games.
- The Brewers gain momentum heading into Game 2 on Saturday, October 24.
Winning the opening game would give Milwaukee an early advantage, especially with the first two games scheduled at American Family Field.
However, a Game 1 victory does not guarantee a championship, as the Brewers would still need three additional wins.
What Happens If the Brewers Tie the Rays in Game 1?
The Brewers and Rays cannot finish Game 1 in a tie.
Unlike some other professional sports, Major League Baseball postseason games must produce a winner.
If the score is tied after nine innings, the game continues into extra innings until one team finishes an inning ahead.
For example, if Milwaukee and Tampa Bay are tied 3-3 after nine innings, they will continue playing until a winner is determined.
There is no extra-inning runner placed automatically on second base in MLB postseason games.
What Happens If the Brewers Lose Game 1 vs. Rays?
If the Milwaukee Brewers lose to the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1, Tampa Bay will take a 1-0 lead in the World Series.
A loss would mean:
- Tampa Bay leads the World Series 1-0.
- Milwaukee trails the series for the first time.
- The Brewers must win four of the remaining six games to capture the championship.
- Game 2 becomes an opportunity for Milwaukee to even the series at 1-1.
A Game 1 loss would not eliminate Milwaukee from championship contention.
The Brewers could still win the World Series by taking four of the next six games.
Brewers vs. Rays 2026 World Series Game 1: Date, Time and TV Channel
Here are the scheduled details for the opening game:
- Matchup: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Tampa Bay Rays
- Date: Friday, October 23, 2026
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: American Family Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- TV Channel: FOX
- Streaming: FOX One
- Series: 2026 MLB World Series, Game 1
How Many Games Do the Brewers Need to Win the 2026 World Series?
The Brewers must win four games in the best-of-seven World Series to become MLB champions.
Here is how many additional victories Milwaukee would need depending on its series record:
| Brewers Series Record | Additional Wins Needed |
|---|---|
| 0-0 | 4 |
| 1-0 | 3 |
| 0-1 | 4 |
| 2-0 | 2 |
| 3-0 | 1 |
| 3-3 | 1 |
The first team to reach four victories wins the World Series.
When Is Brewers vs. Rays World Series Game 2?
Game 2 of the 2026 World Series is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at 8 p.m. ET, with Milwaukee hosting Tampa Bay at American Family Field.
If the Brewers win Game 1, they will have an opportunity to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
If the Brewers lose Game 1, they will look to tie the series at 1-1 before the World Series shifts to Tampa Bay.
Have the Milwaukee Brewers Ever Won the World Series?
The Milwaukee Brewers are seeking their first World Series championship in franchise history.
Milwaukee previously reached the World Series in 1982, when the Brewers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.
The Tampa Bay Rays are also seeking their first championship, having previously reached the World Series in 2008 and 2020.
That means the 2026 World Series will produce a first-time champion regardless of which team wins.
Final Thoughts
The Milwaukee Brewers have an opportunity to take the first step toward their first World Series championship when they face the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 on October 23.
If the Brewers win, they take a 1-0 lead and move three victories away from the title.
If the Brewers lose, they fall behind 0-1 but remain in contention for the championship.
If the game is tied after nine innings, extra innings will determine the winner because World Series games cannot end in ties.
Regardless of the Game 1 result, the Brewers must win four games in the series to become the 2026 World Series champions.