ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WINK) — The World Series is in St. Petersburg, but judging by the crowds outside Tropicana Field, you might think you’re in Milwaukee.
Brewers fans have traveled from Wisconsin and beyond to cheer on their team, turning bars and streets surrounding the Tampa Bay Rays’ home ballpark into a sea of blue and gold ahead of Game 4 Tuesday night.
From Ferg’s Sports Bar to Tropicana Field, Milwaukee supporters have made their presence known as the Brewers look to capture the franchise’s first World Series championship.
RELATED: Cape Coral father, son live out bucket list dream at World Series
For some fans, the trip south is about more than baseball. It’s also about saving money.
“It’s cheaper to fly here and buy a ticket than it was in Milwaukee, and I think you have a lot of snowbirds down here, so there’s just a lot of Milwaukee people are already probably in the area,” one Brewers fan told WINK News.
World Series tickets in Milwaukee have commanded significantly higher prices on the resale market than those in St. Petersburg, prompting some fans to travel more than a thousand miles to see their team play.
And with the Brewers taking a commanding 3-0 series lead following Monday night’s 10-1 victory over the Rays, Milwaukee supporters are feeling confident about their team’s chances.
“I think Tampa’s a little bit down right now. I think, they’re gonna struggle a little bit. Fans aren’t gonna be there for Tampa, and Brewer fans are in full force,” another fan said.
Milwaukee is making its first World Series appearance since 1982 and is now just one victory away from its first championship.
Game 4 is scheduled for 8 p.m. Tuesday at Tropicana Field, where the Rays will try to keep their season alive against a Brewers team backed by a traveling contingent of passionate fans.