Will the third time be the charm for the Tampa Bay Rays?

The American League’s No. 1-seeded Rays will meet the MLB-best Milwaukee Brewers in the 2026 World Series. The heavyweight Fall Classic showdown features two clubs each looking for its respective franchise’s first-ever world championship.

Manager Kevin Cash‘s club went 98-64 in the regular season to claim their first AL East title since 2021. Tampa Bay swept the division rival No. 4 New York Yankees in the ALDS before taking down the No. 2 Cleveland Guardians in six games in the ALCS.

The Rays overcame a 2-1 series deficit against Cleveland, winning three straight games to capture their third league pennant. Starter Freddy Peralta, a trade deadline addition, earned ALCS MVP honors after going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA across two starts and three appearances.

Now, Peralta, Junior Caminero and Co. are on the cusp of making Rays history:

How many World Series have the Rays made?

This is Tampa Bay’s third World Series appearance since the franchise debuted in 1998.

Have the Rays ever won a World Series?

The Rays, along with the Brewers, are among five MLB franchises without a World Series title.

When was the last time the Rays made the World Series?

Tampa Bay’s two previous World Series appearances came in 2020 and 2008.

In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the Rays lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games in the Fall Classic. Tampa Bay’s first World Series appearance in 2008, meanwhile, ended in a five-game defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies.

When does the Rays vs. Brewers World Series start?

Rays-Brewers begins Friday, Oct. 23.

Rays vs. Brewers World Series schedule

Here’s the full series schedule:

Game 1: Rays at Brewers | Friday, Oct. 23 | 8 p.m. ET | FOX

Game 2: Rays at Brewers | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 8 p.m. ET | FOX

Game 3: Brewers at Rays | Monday, Oct. 26 | 8 p.m. ET | FOX

Game 4: Brewers at Rays | Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 8 p.m. ET | FOX

Game 5 (if necessary): Brewers at Rays | Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 8 p.m. ET | FOX

Game 6 (if necessary): Rays at Brewers | Friday, Oct. 30 | 8 p.m. ET | FOX

Game 7 (if necessary): Rays at Brewers | Saturday, Oct. 31 | 8 p.m. ET | FOX