ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 03: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice before game one of the American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on October 03, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good afternoon everyone, it’s time to dive back into the mailbag and answer some of your questions. Remember to send in your questions for our bi-weekly call by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.
Craig Z. asks: It would seem a qualifying offer to Bednar is a given. The QO to Jazz also seems likely as Yankees will perceive he will reject it and, unlike the gamble with Grisham that was a huge miscalculation on Cashman’s part, Jazz will probably reject it. Your thoughts?
I don’t know if I’d agree with your second point, as reports have come out saying that the team is actually unlikely to offer the qualifying offer to Jazz Chisholm Jr. this offseason. The gamble over whether Chisholm would accept the deal or not mirroring what happened with Trent Grisham last year is probably informing their decision on that matter, as while I wouldn’t hate bringing Jazz back on a one-year deal the team seems to be angling towards allowing him to walk. Whereas Grisham was coming off of a career-best year, Chisholm had his worst season in pinstripes, but the argument could be made that Grisham knew the market was a lot more crowded with excellent choices while Chisholm is still one of the best options in a free agent field lacking a true superstar or even many stars to compete against.
With that in mind, it might be a more reasonable gamble to give Chisholm the QO and not lose him for nothing than it was with Grisham, but again the team clearly cares about their budget and potentially handing out over $45 million in 2027 salary between Bednar and Chisholm before free agency even opens might restrict them too much to make other moves. I’m not thrilled with the backup option to Chisholm being running Anthony Volpe at the keystone, but if it leads to improvements elsewhere on the roster I could see the logic in the move — and we’ll talk about where that upgrade is most needed in a moment. Ultimately, while I know Chisholm had a disappointing year for New York (and perhaps set himself up to with talk of having a 50-50 season during spring), I think it’s unlikely they field a better player at his position than him in 2027 and I think that makes the QO a worthwhile choice, but it looks like that won’t be the case.
Anton H. asks:With Ryan McMahon struggling to solve the Yankees’ third base problem as hoped, do you think the team will try to trade him this offseason, or is a DFA more likely? Given his $16 million salary for 2027, what teams, if any, could make a compelling case for acquiring him despite the financial commitment?
Now, here is where the resources need to be allocated to improve the position. Third base has been a black hole for damn near a decade at this point, with only small bursts of quality play like Gio Urshela’s 2019 run sparkling before being swallowed back up by the void. Ryan McMahon was never expected to be a quality hitter when the Yankees acquired him, but they were certainly expecting better than the 78 wRC+ he posted in 124 games. He was also expected to overcome his offensive capabilities by providing stellar defense, and while he lived up to that in 2025 his play at the hot corner sizzled out completely in 2026 leading to a frustrating experience where he really didn’t provide much of anything.
That’s not really a compelling case to bring towards any potential suitors, so while the team would surely love to trade him away for whatever they could get, it would require tacking on prospects to get even partial salary relief at the moment. Normally I’d say they’re better off just going the DFA route like they did with DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Hicks, but the team is also staring down the prospect of moving on from Giancarlo Stanton’s contract as well and I’m not sure that Hal Steinbrenner could stomach two deadweight contracts for players not even on the team anymore. Of the two, it would be easier to sell McMahon with a prospect attached than it would Stanton, who has a full no-trade clause and an extra year on his deal even if it is a team option. If push comes to shove the team is better off moving on from McMahon and DFA’ing him would suffice, but if they can find an angle to move him that doesn’t cost any of their blue chip prospects it wouldn’t be a bad move to make — they can’t all make it to the big leagues, and using prospect capital to improve the roster by subtraction is still an improvement. I trust the player development team to find enough talent to keep the pipeline greased up, and they didn’t offload too much in this year’s deadline.
jws85 asks:Assuming no additions during free agency, who would be the best leadoff hitter? Rice and Judge needs to be 2-4. Lombard, Bellinger, or Volpe could be options. Wells, García, Stanton, and Jones makes no sense.
If you’re forcing me to keep Ben Rice and Aaron Judge somewhere in the 2-4 range then I’d set my sights on George Lombard Jr. earning the leadoff role, as the rookie showed solid results at the plate during his whirlwind debut in the second half and throughout the postseason. The defensive misplays were atypical of his performance down in the minors, but the bat showed some promise and the only other candidate I see would be Volpe, who has already had his chance to be a leadoff hitter to no avail. However, what I would rather do in this scenario is just have Rice hit leadoff, bat Judge second and have Bellinger flanking him with Lombard or Jones at cleanup and García hitting fifth. Rice proved that he’s a capable enough table-setter, and without an ideal OBP-driven player in the lineup as is you might as well give your best hitters the earliest chances to get up to bat.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 12: Miguel Sime Jr. #55 of the Washington Nationals looks on prior to the 2026 All-Star Futures Game Presented by Nike at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, July 12, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Nats had a lot of prospects take meaningful strides in 2026, but the one I want to talk about today is Miguel Sime. When the Nats took Sime in the 4th round of the 2025 draft, he was a raw but electric prospect with a massive fastball, but not much else. There is still rawness in his game, but Sime took big steps in the right direction this year.
The development of Sime’s slider is the biggest story of this season. Heading into the year, Sime had a curveball and changeup to go with his triple digit heater. Both pitches had promise, but neither were refined yet. In the offseason and during Spring Training, Sime worked hard to find a slider grip that worked for him. He talked about this in an interview last month.
⚾️ Changed his SL grip 5 throwing sessions into the spring based on the tech of the edgetronic cameras and spin axis balls they started using this year. Found inefficiency.
Once he found the right grip, the pitch came naturally to him. The slider became Sime’s go to weapon, even throwing it more than his fastball at times. Sime’s slider has deceptive downward movement that makes it difficult to pick up. Hitters often think the slider is coming and by the time they realize their mistake it is too late.
The development of the slider gives Sime two elite pitches. His body type, pitch mix, velocity and control woes remind me a lot of Jarlin Susana. Like Susana, Sime generates a ton of swing and misses. For the season, his strikeout rate was 41.3%, or 16.18 K/9. Even as he got aggressively assigned to High-A, that strikeout rate remained around 40%.
miguel sime jr. since getting called up to A+: 2.15 ERA (11 ER/46.0 IP) 14.87 K/9 (3rd highest in @MiLB in that span, min 40.0 IP) pic.twitter.com/J81EbB3q58
— Nationals Player Development (@Nats_PlayerDev) August 29, 2026
That mid-season promotion told me a lot about how much the Nats believe in Sime as both a pitcher and competitor. They easily could have left him in Low-A to develop for the rest of the year. However, the organization wanted to challenge him and Sime responded well.
His numbers were actually much better despite facing better opposition. In Low-A, Sime struck out over 45% of hitters, but posted a 4.44 ERA due to a 21% walk rate and some bad luck. Once he got to Wilmington, Sime posted a 2.15 ERA with 76 strikeouts in 46 innings. His walk rate was still an alarming 19.9%, but it did not matter because opponents hit under .150 against him.
Obviously, control is the biggest thing Sime needs to work on. We knew his control was not pinpoint heading into pro ball, and we saw that play out. However, his stuff might be even better than expected. Sime’s fastball shape is very good and as mentioned, the slider has become a lethal weapon. At the Futures Game, Sime’s raw stuff might have been the best of any pitcher.
The pitcher with the best stuff from the Futures Game was none other than the Washington Nationals' Miguel Sime Jr. Once he figures out the command, the ceiling is endless. pic.twitter.com/AIVr4OwMUj
Between the Futures Game outing and his Spring Breakout appearance, the stuff models loved his pitches when there was Statcast data. He has velocity, movement, deception and several different nasty offerings. At 19 years old, there is still plenty of time for the control to come around.
However, that lack of present control does give him a lot of relief risk. If I had to bet right now, I do think the bullpen is Sime’s ultimate home. That is no sure thing though, and the Nats will and should give him every opportunity to prove he can start. With how young he is, we have plenty of time.
Despite his youth, there is a chance that Sime starts next season in AA as a teenager. He showed that his stuff can overwhelm High-A hitters. While he has walk problems, they have not mattered that much yet. In Double-A, those control issues are likely to hurt him more and force him to adapt.
Overall, Sime is a high upside arm with triple digit velocity and a nasty slider. His huge physical presence gives him an intimidating look on the mound. All of these things scream future closer, but his ultimate home is still to be determined.
If the control trends in the right direction, Sime could be one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. Even with shaky control, he has loud enough stuff to make him a fairly safe bet to pitch in the big leagues for a long time. Sime’s first year in pro ball was a resounding success. Now I am excited to see what he can do in year two.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 12: A general view of American Family Field during sunset of Game Two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, October 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The World Series begins tonight.
Normally, when the Dodgers aren’t involved, I generally ignore the proceedings, reveling in the de facto time off before being absorbed by the many tasks I launch into during every off-season. With this year’s offseason likely to be much longer due to the own goal that is the impending lockout, I have embraced something I generally disdain: procrastination.
The baseball hipsters are drinking their figurative oat drink lattes and living well by reveling in the pending matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. The list of teams that have never won a title should decrease to four.
As both stadiums are domed, if there are weather delays, something weird has happened. The play on the field should entertain, as the venues themselves are not that picturesque. Still, if you want more information, updated with recent travel, we shall oblige.
Before this year, the last time the Brewers made the World Series, I was gestating in utero (October 1982 vs. January 1983). I know folks in Milwaukee losing their figurative minds about something some started to take for granted in Los Angeles.
I’d tease about their enthusiasm, but unalloyed joy is a good thing. After all, how much of a moron do you have to be to do something to catch my attention by screwing up when everyone is either literally waiting or celebrating?
Timeless…well, Mostly Timeless Tickets
11 years ago, the Milwaukee Brewers sold their Timeless Ticket. For $1,000, one would get a personalized brass ticket that was good for one use only to “any future Brewers home game at American Family Field. Whether it’s this season, the year 2050, or the 7th game of the World Series, all are valid games to redeem a Timeless Ticket.”
Only 1000 tickets were produced, and they allowed for redemption “subject to ticket availability at the time of redemption.”
The Brewers lay out the procedures for redemption, which allow for one ticket and the option to purchase three additional tickets at full regular retail price.
In the fine print, the Timeless Ticket cannot be used for any hypothetical All-Star Game in Milwaukee or any MLB game at American Family Field where the Brewers aren’t playing. On its face, if you suddenly were reminded of Forever Stamps from the U.S. Postal Service, that’s by design, per Darren Rovell of ESPN:
In late October, the team announced it would sell 1,000 “Timeless Tickets” for $1,000 each. They come in 1-pound bronze tickets with the owners’ names engraved on them.
…[A]s the offer went online for the first time, the team announced that it would add another nine timeless tickets to each deal, which would be redeemable for any regular-season game in the team’s future, except for Opening Day games.
The original bronze ticket is good for any single game, including say, a World Series home game at Miller Park, or whatever stadium the Brewers happen to be playing in should they return to the Fall Classic. The team’s only appearance came in 1982.
The idea is the brainchild of Brewers chief operating officer Rick Schlesinger.
“I was at the post office and got caught up with the idea of forever stamps,” Schlesinger said. “So I wondered what we could do to offer our fans something where we could give them the promise of being able to go to any game.”
In theory, speaking from personal experience, it’s a banger of a deal and a heck of a gimmick. I have certainly spent more money on more frivolous Dodgers-related purchases.
Fast forward eleven years, and one would think the Brewers have a public relations layup just waiting for the positive press. “Grandpa bought a Timeless Ticket, and now in his twilight years he gets to see his beloved Brew Crew play for a title after beating those crumbum Dodgers. Also, he bought three additional tickets at full price for his family.”
The positive copy writes itself. Considering how much goodwill there is in Cream City right now, you’d have to be an absolutely incompetent moron to blow it now.
When folks tried to redeem their Timeless Tickets this time, they were presented with the option of Terrance Level seats (Upper Deck) or Standing Room Only. Speaking from personal experience with the venue: ouch. For a Dodger Stadium equivalent, imagine buying a one-time pass that should allow you in the best available seat, including Field Level or the Loge, and instead you have to settle for a seat in the rafters of the Upper Deck.
Back in 2018, Timeless Ticket holders had the option to try to redeem their Timeless Tickets for a potential World Series berth. Some fans were able to secure seats behind home plate at field level. Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig had other ideas, making these reservations moot.
It turns out that the Timeless Ticket holders’ position in the queue was bumped at some point. Rather than selecting seating after the season ticket holders, the holders were placed behind the general public, seeing seating options that they could not select.
“Back in 2015, that was a big selling point from the sales people about this,” [Danny] Fochesato said. “They really touted, ‘Hey, this is going to be the best available seats. You’re getting the priority just behind season-ticket holders. Anything the season-ticket holders don’t have, you’ll have dibs at it for the World Series.’ That’s kind of the story they sold.”…
“We had a form, and it only had 400-level or standing-room options,” Fochesato said. “We couldn’t even know what game we had. We just had to put a preference of which ones we wanted, and then we had to submit the form and just sit and wait for them what we got. I immediately was like, ‘No, that’s bogus.'”
Going from “any game, best available ticket” to “hope and pray for the game you want.” We have a word for that situation, but it is unprintable in this generally family-friendly publication. So we will instead use the time-honored substitute of “malarakey,” with indications of another word: “fraud.”
Rather than have to analyze and explain Wisconsin contract law or write about impending lawsuits (I will leave our cousins at Brew Crew Ball to handle that story if it ever comes), the Brewers acknowledged that they screwed up.
Brewers president of business operations Rick Schlesinger said Tuesday that several hundred fans had indicated they wanted to redeem their Timeless Tickets for a World Series game. Schlesinger acknowledged that “we subsequently erred in our internal communications on the logistics of fulfilling the requests.”
“While we were able to accommodate all with seats, we received feedback from some that they were unhappy with their seat locations,” Schlesinger said. “Clearly, even with extraordinary limitations on available seats, we did not live up to the spirit of the program, and we have been working through a resolution.”
Schlesinger said any Timeless Ticket holder who applied for World Series tickets before the deadline will now get to keep those World Series tickets while also being able to retain their Timeless Ticket to redeem for another game in any future season.
“We regret our mistake and look forward to welcoming them to American Family Field for their World Series experience,” Schlesinger said.
[Emphasis added.]
To be a fly on the wall of the Brewers’ Legal Counsel’s office over the past week…Whether these patrons are satisfied is another question entirely. This situation is right out of a law school textbook. But you might think, well, they still get to go; why throw a stink at all?
If I pay for something and you don’t give it, there’s a problem. Or if you change the deal, it better be in a movie, or you’re going to have a problem on your hands.
In short, the Brewers went full Michael Scott; you never go full Michael Scott.
Having to be publicly shamed to do the right thing by their most loyal fans — that’s a move right out of monetizing Dodgers Fan Fest to the gills. If there is a moral here, it is: do not overpromise and then underdeliver.
Sticker shock
World Series ticket sticker shock is emanating from both Milwaukee and Tampa. Direct sales are long gone, leaving the secondary market as supply and demand go into overdrive.
The get-in price for tonight’s Game 1 in Milwaukee is north of $2,000, and the get-in price for Game 3 in Tampa is north of $700. Some Milwaukee fans are likely finding it cheaper to go to Tampa, in which case, welcome to the brotherhood of traveling fans. It’s neat.
No one should have to make what is essentially a rent payment to sit in the upper deck of any game. I am mindful that ticket prices are like real estate: it all comes down to location, location, location.
I understand that sitting at the Loge at Dodger Stadium should cost more than the upper deck. But should that cost equal a small used car (about $2,500 to $3,000, based on current listings on the secondary market)?
I have often decried the “Dodger tax” that I have to pay when I go see the Dodgers on the road. The truth is that it is often significantly cheaper for me to go see the Dodgers elsewhere than in the confines of Our Blue Heaven unless I am willing to entirely abandon a decent view of the game.
It is okay to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But no one should have to go into debt to enjoy something that they love.
My reaction now: I was being naive, or, if one requires a meme:
It’s not that I don’t have sympathy; it’s that some fans are caught in the gears of a system designed both to pay the players and line the owners’ pockets, especially if the series goes beyond the minimum length.
MLB sets the baseline purchase price for playoff and World Series tickets, which serve as the basis for creating the playoff prize pool that gets split amongst all of the participating players, with the World Series winners getting the largest share.
Spending what I spent to go see regular-season games in Tokyo is one thing, and frankly should not be repeated unless I was living in Japan. But the World Series is different. Last year, I spent around $3,000 USD on the secondary market just for the ticket for Game 7 in Toronto. Remember, I’m not bona fide; I have to pay my own freight. All things considered, I got a heck of a seat for the price.
I could have spent less for a seat farther away from the action, but when it matters, you pay the extra expense to see your team in action. Maybe you see history, maybe you don’t, but at the end of the day, seeing your team on that final stage is what matters. Everything else is silence.
Good luck to the Brewers and Rays in what should be an entertaining and exciting series.
It’s been a wild 2026 ride to the Fall Classic. Cubs fans were treated to the first 40-40 season in franchise history. They were also treated to one of the biggest rollercoaster rides in the 150-year history of the team as the Cubs won 10 games in a row twice while also losing 10 games in a row. Ultimately, that inconsistency hit the Cubs at the wrong time as they were swept out of the Wild Card round by the Padres. As some astute commenters noted during the Championship Series previews, there really aren’t a lot of guys on either the Brewers or Rays rosters who have experience on the North Side of Chicago. It’s basically Trevor Megill and a whole lot of guys we’ve never seen in the Cubs system. With that in mind let’s take a closer look at the small market matchup set to begin in Milwaukee tonight.
Brewers vs. Rays: One ring to rule them all
For the first time since 1980 the World Series features two teams who have never won a ring. That means regardless of whether fortune favors the Brewers or the Rays some fanbase is going to experience the ecstasy of a championship for the first time. It’s understandable that a lot of Cubs fans have a soft spot for the Rays in this matchup given our collective frustration at finishing second to the Brewers year, after year, after year, after year:
Look, I’m sure I’ll find some reason to roll my eyes and cheer against the Brewers by the time this World Series is over, but right now I’m just excited for great baseball. If great baseball determines that the Brewers finally win a World Series, I think I’m okay with it. Jake Bauers considering retirement but returning to baseball for the healthcare coverage only to do this is great stuff, regardless of your primary team allegiances [VIDEO].
And don’t get me wrong, there should be some great baseball. As I discussed yesterday in looking at the small market nature of the 2026 World Series, these two teams are perennial success stories in MLB. The Brewers have eight Postseason appearances in the last decade and the Rays have six, these are two of the more successful teams in baseball who are only missing a championship ring.
On the pitching side the Brewers have likely NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski in Game 1 facing off against the Rays Nick Martinez. In Game 2 the Brewers will send Logan Henderson to the mound against Rays ace Drew Rasmussen. While Game 3 starters have yet to be named, it seems likely that would be former Brewer, and ALCS MVP, Freddy Peralta for the Rays and Robert Gasser for the Brewers. Peralta has been excellent this postseason [VIDEO]:
And then it’s a question of bullpens. Both teams have solid bullpens with a clear eye towards who their high leverage guys are in a pinch. That means the Brewers should expect to see a lot of Bryan Baker, Kevin Kelly, Tyler Wells, Cam Booser, and Ian Seymour, while the Rays will likely see Megill, JoJo Romero, Dustin May, DL Hall, Aaron Ashby and Abner Uribe. One wildcard to keep an eye on is the addition of Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff to the World Series Roster:
Brandon Woodruff is on the Brewers World Series roster! He's been sidelined since July 4 with right shoulder inflammation. pic.twitter.com/betTyjgy8b
On the hitting side of the equation, the hottest bats in the Brewers lineup during the League Championship Series against the Dodgers were MVP Bauers and second baseman Brice Turang, catcher William Contreras and outfielder Garrett Mitchell [VIDEO].
The Rays bats were a bit quieter during their series against the Guardians, but look for slugger Junior Caminero to show up on baseball’s biggest stage with his speedy sidekick, Chandler Simpson who hits for average and runs like Pete Crow-Armstrong. I’m personally looking to see how Yandy Díaz performs. Yandy is one of the most underrated hitters in baseball this side of Seiya Suzuki and he’s a big reason the Rays will be in the World Series [VIDEO].
With both teams looking for their first franchise championship, tickets to games in Milwaukee and Tampa Bay are going for prices not seen since the Cubs and Cleveland faced off in 2016. It does not seem like those prices are coming down as game time approaches. The cheapest tickets to get into American Family Field for Game 1 are hovering around $2,900 for an obstructed view seat:
Whether fans can afford to join the action in person, watch with friends at their favorite neighborhood tavern or follow from the comfort of their couch, the vibes around a team’s first World Series win are priceless. Who are you cheering for as action kicks off in Milwaukee tonight?
Cubs fans celebrate a win during the World Series at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, United States on November 2, 2016. (Photo by Emily Molli/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Everything in the world is different than it was in 2016 — sometimes I am paid to say the obvious. Ten years ago we saw multiple curses end, billy goats and black cats forever exorcised, as Kris Bryant threw to Anthony Rizzo and the Cubs had finally won it all. Bryant was the MVP of the National League that year, a seven and a half win season in his sophomore campaign. Anthony Rizzo was just 26 and finished fourth in that MVP race, Addison Russell was 22 manning shortstop and he also received votes for the league’s top individual honor.
That Cubs team is known for their collection of home grown bats, but the pitching staff was talented in its own right, albeit a little more mercenary. Jake Arrieta wasn’t quite the Cy Young winner he was the year before but the Cubs had four three-win starters in their rotation, and while Kyle Hendricks was the only one under the age of 30, the combination of a very good rotation, elite homegrown (read: cheap) position players, and a big market with the capacity to spend…surely the North Side would see more than one pennant from that group.
And well.
Ten years on the Cubs did make the playoffs five times, with two division titles, but that’s mostly it. Anthony Rizzo’s career effectively ended when Fernando Tatis Jr.‘s hip slammed into his head, Kris Bryant has become one of the great baseball tragedies of our era, and Russell abused his wife and is playing in the Mexican League. The Cubs are a playoff team again, and flags fly forever — especially ones tied to 108 year old poles — but you kind of have to think that proto-dynasty left something on the table.
A year later, the Yankees themselves seemed on the edge of a dynasty. Aaron Judge should have been MVP, Luis Severino was one of the three best pitchers in the AL, Greg Bird wasn’t just locking down first base, he was creating playoff memories, and Gary Sánchez seemed to be a foundational piece of a winning team for a decade to come. That decade’s nearly come and gone, Aaron Judge has lived up to that potential, but as for the rest of what seemed like an ascendant group…let’s put it this way, Sánchez might well win a World Series before Judge does.
The Yankees haven’t had a losing season in my lifetime. The seasons when they do miss the playoffs stand out like scars, for the entire time I’ve been aware of the concept of baseball, the team’s pretty much been in the so-called window of contention. They could have won the World Series this year, they could have last year, could have the year before, and on and on.
The Red Sox got their ring, like the Cubs, before doing the unthinkable and dealing away one of the best players in franchise history over money. They’ve remained a playoff team, even knocking the Yankees out of the postseason in the so-called Baby Bombers era.
The World Series starts tonight, with two teams built on the cheap, that came out of their respective leagues as the top seeds. The Brewers have been in the so-called championship window for two seasons now, the Rays seem to enter and swiftly exist theirs nearly year to year. The Cubs and Red Sox had to learn sometimes you only get one, no matter how sustainable things look. The Yankees haven’t even gotten one, and stare down an uncertain 2027 with an aging roster.
The window’s never as open as you think it is. Gotta climb through now.
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 02: Members of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, August 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Nicole Vasquez/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Every season has a couple of different high-water marks. The first is obvious and mathematical; and for the 2026 Red Sox, it came on September 7th after a win against the Angels. That victory pushed the team a season high 15 games over .500, and to an 80-65 record.
But a more indelible high-water mark came about five weeks earlier near the end of the team’s astounding 32-5 midsummer heater. Here, the Red Sox had just swept the Dodgers, moved to within five games of the division and American League leading Rays, had the trade deadline to improve even more in the next 24 hours, and were surrounded by delightful rumors suggesting that both Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet might return for a stretch run healthier than they actually did.
For me, this is somewhere around the moment where my “I think the Red Sox can win the World Series” meter peaked in my head. (The only other competition was after Opening Day before everything went haywire.)
It’s not just that the Sox swept the mighty Dodgers, it’s all the other tidbits surrounding it. The LA sweep came at the end of the second west coast road trip in a month, where they went a combined 15-1. Furthermore, they had now swept the Dodgers, Yankees, Rays and White Sox in the last five weeks, all of which were in first place when the sweeps started. This meant the Sox were now 13-0 since June 25th against a lineup of teams they were likely to see on their path to a championship.
Within these games, things were even crazier. Ceddanne Rafaela launched four home runs over the weekend in the Hollywood spotlight, and bumped his OPS over .800 as the calendar flipped to August.
If he could do this now, what might the Sox lineup look in a few weeks if they traded for Adley Rutschman (rumors were swirling), got Roman Anthony back, and got Willson Contreras healthier? Surely they wouldn’t be the worst offense in baseball in the month of September, right? ….. RIGHT?!?
Speaking of Contreras, he didn’t have a hit in this series against the Dodgers. Instead, he was hit in head early in Game 1, which caused him to leave and miss Game 2, and then when he returned for Game 3 before an off day (probably against everybody’s better judgement), he went 0-5 with two strikeouts despite the four guys surrounding him in the lineup reaching base a combined ten times. The point is that while Contreras was the team’s best hitter all year, they essentially put up 20 runs in three games against the Dodgers without him.
And while it was obvious they certainly didn’t run into the true teeth of the Dodger rotation for most of this series, they did beat Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the middle game, who despite going eight innings, only stuck out three Red Sox all night.
The winning pitchers in this Dodger series were Brayan Bello, Justin Slaten, and Jake Bennett, and five different players had at least one RBI in both the first and last game, which is all a great window into how everything the Sox touched was turning into gold at this stage of the season. The future was unknown, and ultimately, that’s what made the peak of the summer so magical.
We didn’t know Ceddanne Rafaela was going to cool off to the tune of a .520 OPS after August 17th. We didn’t know Adley Rutschman was going to post an OPS under .700 after joining the Sox the following day. We didn’t know the Roman Anthony we were about to get back was a guy who had only improved enough to play hurt down the stretch. We didn’t know Garrett Crochet wouldn’t pitch again in the regular season. And we didn’t know just how fleeting the magic of the summer would be once the team took its foot off the gas in late August.
Instead, in this moment, in a place made for dreams, a World Series run seemed as close as ever. Unfortunately, as the team prepared to go home and turned east towards the California desert in the direction of Fenway Park, those dreams turned out to be nothing more than a mirage.
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 30: John Brebbia #60 of the Colorado Rockies pitches in the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on June 30, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to the 2026 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2026. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the lowest rWAR and end up with the player with the highest.
No. 36, John Brebbia (-0.1 rWAR)
Veteran reliever John Brebbia had a strange and winding journey in 2026.
The 36 year old had spent parts of the previous eight seasons in the Major Leagues after having been a Rule 5 Draftee for the St. Louis Cardinals. For the first six seasons of his career, Brebbia was a quality arm out of the pen for the Cardinals and San Francisco Giants.
In 2024, the wheels started to fall off.
Over the course of two seasons, in stints for four different teams, the once reliable right-hander saw ERA balloon from 3.99 in 2023 to 5.86 in 2024 and finally 7.71 in 2025.
At the time, Brebbia thought it was “a good fit” given his personal experience with Denver and his familiarity with Rockies assistant pitching coach Gabe Ribas and director of pitching Matt Daniels, both of whom he had previously worked with as a member of the Detroit Tigers.
In his first four outings, the right-hander threw five scoreless innings while only allowing a single hit and collecting seven strikeouts. It looked like perhaps the veteran had been able to find the form that had led him to early career success.
However, his chances of making the team plummeted in his fifth and sixth spring appearances for the Rockies in which he allowed seven runs over three innings.
Just four days later, Brebbia was cut from the roster and granted his release in an attempt to catch on with another team. Ultimately, the journeyman would end up signing another minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins.
Brebbia spent the first two months of the season pitching for the Twins triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, for whom he amassed a 6.20 ERA over 20.1 innings.
The Twins released Brebbia on May 20. After finding himself once again on the lookout for a place to pitch, Brebbia re-signed with the Rockies and appeared in his first game for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on May 31.
For the Isotopes, Brebbia genuinely excelled.
After not allowing a run across seven outings for Albuquerque, the Rockies called Brebbia up to the Major League roster on June 21.
The Rockies announced today the following transactions: – Selected the contract of RHP John Brebbia (#60) from Triple-A Albuquerque. – Placed RHP Blas Castaño on the 15-day IL, retroactive to June 18 (right pectoral strain). – Designated LHP Sammy Peralta for assignment.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) June 21, 2026
His regular season stint with the Rockies mirrored his time with them in spring training.
In his first two outings for the big league team, Brebbia threw three scoreless innings and allowed only two hits. Once again, it seemed like perhaps the Rockies pitching coaches had possibly managed to help the veteran look more like his early career self.
Those monster home runs moved his 2026 Major League ERA from 0.00 to 10.38, which is where it remained for the rest of the season because he was designated for assignment the next day.
Brebbia would go on to make another six appearances for the Isotopes before finishing off the season with the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate the Worcester Red Sox.
All told, Brebbia managed to pitch four and a third Major League innings in 2026 with a 10.38 ERA, a 1.62 WHIP, and two strikeouts.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 22: Nick Martinez #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays participates in workouts prior to game one of the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays at American Family Field on October 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The World Series begins tonight with the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays each looking for their first championship. The Rays have gotten close with two pennants before – they fell to the Phillies in five games in 2008 and in six games to the Dodgers in 2020. Because of their roster churn, the only player from that pennant-winning club six year ago that is still on the team is Yandy Díaz.
The Brewers have only gotten this far once before, way back in 1982 when the mustachioed Rollie Fingers was closing games for ‘Harvey’s Wallbangers.” They were a group of boppers that smashed 216 home runs (a lot in the dead ball 80s!) and featured two future Hall of Famers in the lineup – Robin Yount and Paul Molitor.
The matchup of small market clubs may not be what TV executives are looking for, but no one should have any sympathy for TV executives! Besides, MLB and its TV partners will be fine. Although World Series TV ratings have been slipping for years as people have more options (including distractions on their phones), it is still one of the most-watched events on TV.
Here are four reasons why Royals fans should tune in to this year’s World Series.
Small market solidarity
The Rays play in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, a mid-sized market, but their antiquated stadium in a poor location has depressed attendance. The Brewers play in Milwaukee, the smallest market in Major League Baseball. The two teams ranked among the bottom ten in player payroll, each spending less than what the Royals did on talent this season.
Their success story may undermine the argument put forth by owners that baseball needs a salary cap to increase competitiveness, although on the other hand *hand waves at all the Dodgers dominance the last few years*. But it is fun to root for the underdogs, the teams that don’t have the lavish resources the coastal clubs enjoy. The Rays and Brewers got here through smart player development, shrewd trades, good coaching, and players making the most of their opportunities. Royals fans can be forgiven for being a bit jealous.
Local connections and old friends
The Brewers feature two Kansas City kids on their pitching staff. Jacob Misiorowski graduated from Grain Valley High School, and later Crowder College in nearby Neosho, before the Brewers selected him in the second round of the 2022 draft. He now features the most electric fastball in baseball that allowed him to post a 1.80 ERA that was the lowest in baseball, and he is the odds-on favorite to win the Cy Young.
Jacob Misiorowski started the game with 21 consecutive fastballs. ⛽️
Aaron Ashby went to Park Hill High School in Kansas City before attending Crowder. His uncle Andy was also a Park Hill and Crowder grad that spent 14 years pitching in the big leagues. Aaron led the Brewers in games pitched with 75 and is one of the most valuable relievers in baseball as a groundball pitcher who gets a 50 percent whiff rate on his breaking balls.
The Rays have lefty reliever Garrett Cleavinger, who pitched for Lawrence High School as a “Chesty Lion” before going to Oregon. Cleavinger made 60+ relief appearances in the last two seasons before regressing this year with some injuries. Cleavinger did not make an appearance in the ALDS, and was left off the ALCS roster, but is back on the World Series roster.
Neither World Series roster includes any former Royals, but a few old friends made appearances with each team. The Brewers had pitcher Angel Zerpa, who missed most of the season with an injury, and outfielder Blake Perkins, who once played in the Royals’ farm system. The Rays had pitchers Jonathan Heasley and Aaron Brooks – who was on the Royals pennant-winning teams in 2014 and 2015. Royals reliever Craig Kimbrel also pitched briefly for the Rays this year.
Small ball is back, baby
The Brewers finished second in all of baseball in runs scored, while the Rays finished twelfth. But neither has taken the “grip it and rip it” approach that has dominated much of the game. Each team hit fewer home runs than the Royals. Instead, they tied for tops in baseball in batting average. They are both in the top five in on-base percentag. They are both top five in hitting the ball on the ground, and they are the top two teams in hitting the ball to the opposite field. Milwaukee is the best team in baseball at drawing walks. Tampa Bay is the best team in baseball at not striking out.
They also like to run on the bases – both teams are top five in baseball in stolen bases. A total of 12 players on both teams stole ten bases or more this year. They were also the top two teams in most sacrifice hit attempts and two of the most successful teams in productive outs. They find ways to score runs, which can be a huge plus when you’re facing dominant pitching staffs in the postseason.
This success has been interpreted by some as a refutation of analytics. However, these are actually two of the most analytical teams in the game!
Three teams left, and all three have bigger-than-average analytics staffs.
Brewers: 46 (2nd in MLB) Rays: 39 Guardians: 30 League average: 28.5
The Phillies have the biggest staff in baseball, and they're already home. Like payroll, it's one input. Everything else combined… pic.twitter.com/EbV5BXkpnr
They are also two teams that invest in scouting more than most teams in baseball. And that just shows smart teams use all information to make their decisions. And if the data says zig where other teams have zagged, that’s what these teams do, with great success.
A battle of the best teams
The World Series just hits differently when it is the actual top two teams that make it through the postseason gauntlet. The Brewers won 103 games, most in club history. The Rays won 98 games, five more than any other American League team. In the Wild Card era, this is just the sixth time the teams with the top record in each league have met in the World Series.
1995 Braves (90-54) over Indians (100-44)
1999 – Yankees (98-64) over Braves (103-59)
2013 – Red Sox (97-65) over Cardinals (97-65)
2020 – Dodgers (43-17) over Rays (40-20)
2024 – Dodgers (98-64) over Yankees (94-68)
And their records are no accident. These are balanced, deep teams built for a championship run.
The Brewers have been one of the biggest spenders in the Latin American free agent market, and it has paid off with star hitter Jackson Chourio. Chourio hit a walk-off single in the NLDS against the Padres and led off Game 3 against the Dodgers with a home run. He is a power/speed threat, becoming the first player in Major League history to achieve three 20-homer, 20-steal seasons before turning 23 years old. William Contreras, who was acquired in shrewd three-way trade from the Braves in 2022, has a patient eye and has been a steady presence at the plate. First baseman Jake Bauers has had a late career renaissance after trying to retire two years ago, smacking 26 home runs this year and helping the Brewers to lead the league in offensive production at first base.
Misiorowski paces the pitching staff, but the Brewers have relied heavily on their bullpen in the postseason. Brewers relievers had the second-lowest ERA in baseball at 3.51 with the highest strikeout rate in baseball. Milwaukee also gets some help for this series with the return of veteran pitcher Brandon Woodruff, who has been out since early July with a shoulder injury.
The Rays are led by MVP candidate Junior Caminero, who has one of the highest hard-hit rates in baseball. His 42 home runs were tied for the fourth-most in the game. The Rays also get pop from Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda, each of whom hit 20 home runs this year. Chandler Simpson provides the speed, leading all of baseball in steals (46) and infield hits (42).
Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen, a former Brewers pitcher, has been one of the top arms in the American League this year, leading the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio. Nick Martinez won 15 games and has the lowest walk rate among qualified pitchers. Closer Bryan Baker has been lights out with 41 saves, tied for the most in baseball.
If the first World Series game in Milwaukee in 44 years wasn't enough to get the American Family Field crowd in a frenzy, the Brewers are calling on two club icons to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1.
Former Brewers owner Bud Selig, who was instrumental in bringing the franchise to Milwaukee in 1970, and Hall of Famer Robin Yount, considered the greatest player in team history, highlighted the first pitch ceremony.
When his efforts to bring an expansion franchise to Milwaukee for the 1969 season fell short, Selig didn't have to wait long for another opportunity to bring a major league team to the city. In 1970, the Seattle Pilots went bankrupt after one season, Selig purchased the team and moved it to Milwaukee. Selig, and later his daughter Wendy Selig-Prieb when Bud was MLB commissioner, owned the team until 2005 when it was purchased by current owner Mark Attanasio.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 07: Atlanta center fielder Michael Harris II (23) makes a leaping catch against the wall during the NLDS game 4 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves on October 7th, 2026 at Truist Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Yesterday, we took a look at some of the hard-luck moments that the Atlanta Braves had at the plate during the 2026 regular season. Turnabout is fair play, so now it’s time to look at some of the top moments where the Braves stole some outs out there in the field when the play probably should’ve resulted in a hit.
If you were brave enough to venture through the minefield that was the unlucky plays highlighted in yesterday’s article, then you can consider today a walk through Gold-Glove paradise. Let’s get into it.
T-No. 10 – July 27 at Mets, P: Martín Pérez, H: Luis Torrens, Result: Line Out, .900 xBA
I could’ve just left this at 10 plays overall but there was a tie for 10th place and it involved the Braves robbing the Mets, so I’m including it because schadenfreude is fun, sometimes. This was just a very hard-hit ball from Luis Torrens that ended up finding Jim Jarvis’s leather. Jarvis has proven himself to be a plus-defender so far and this was a lovely example of how he could get up in the air in order to rob a hit from an opposing batter.
T-No. 10 – August 7 at Yankees, P: Tyler Mahle, H: Spencer Jones, Result: Fly Out, .900 xBA
Mauricio Dubón proved himself to be a nearly indispensable member of Atlanta’s defense in any given game, mostly due to the fact that he could play nearly any position on the field — and play it well, in fact. Dubón had his fair share of fantastic moments in the field during the 2026 season and this was truly one of his best moments, as he managed to make a spectacular catch at the wall in order to rob Spencer Jones of what surely would’ve been extra bases.
No. 9 – May 28 at Red Sox, P: Reynaldo López, H: Carlos Narváez, Result: Line Out, .903 xBA
There’s that man again. This may not look super spectacular at first glance but when you consider just how cramped of a space that left field is at Fenway Park, it’s really impressive that Dubón was able to be Johnny-on-the-spot and make the catch without having to play it on a hop or let it get past him. Good stuff!
No. 8 – June 4 vs. Blue Jays, P: Chris Sale, H: Ernie Clement, Result: Line Out, .906 xBA
You knew that Money Mike was going to pop up on this list eventually. Michael Harris II has continued to be one of the defensive stalwarts of the Braves right now and he’s only getting better and better — as evidenced by the fact that he received a Gold Glove finalist nomination for 2026. He probably won’t win it because Pete Crow-Armstrong is going to be busy racking up hardware this offseason but it does feel like some trophies might be heading Harris’s way in the future if he keeps this up.
No. 7 – August 22 at Brewers, P: Brent Suter, H: Brice Turang, Result: Line Out, .917 xBA
Yeah, this was just a matter of being at the right place at the right time. Jim Jarvis made another leaping catch but to be honest, it’s better to describe this as a “hop” rather than a “leap.” Either way, shout-out to Jim Jarvis being in the right position here.
No. 6 – June 27 at Giants, P: Bryce Elder, H: Drew Gilbert, Result: Line Out, .920 xBA
Another one that looks a lot easier than it actually was. I’d imagine that this one was probably pretty tough to track considering the transition from shadow-to-sun but fortunately, Money Mike did a good job of staying with it (the eyewear probably helped out a ton here) and he was able to make the play look easy in the end.
T-No. 4 – July 29 at Mets, P: AJ Smith-Shawver, H: Bo Bichette, Result: Line Out, .940 xBA
Eli White is a very fast runner and he had to cover a ton of ground in order to get to this one before it finally reached the ground. The bloop from Bo Bichette hung just long enough for White to get under it and scoop it for the out. As evidenced by the xBA, there are plenty of scenarios where that ball hits the grass. This wasn’t one of them.
T-No. 4 – June 10 at White Sox, P: Chris Sale, H: Derek Hill, Result: Line Out, .940 xBA
Playing the role of Jim Jarvis for this entry in the list is Jorge Mateo. This time, it was Mateo’s turn to make a jumping catch at short in order to keep the ball from heading into the outfield for a base hit. Again, it’s good to be in the right position and it’s even better to have the hops in order to make a play like this on a ball that usually gets up and over for a hit.
T-No. 2 – June 17 vs. Giants, P: JR Ritchie, H: Drew Gilbert, Result: Fly Out, .957 xBA
Yaz didn’t have a particularly great season as an outfielder during his first season in a Braves uniform but he certainly had his moments. This was one of them, as he made a very nifty sliding catch and showed plenty of effort in a game where the Braves were inexplicably getting bopped by a team that Yaz spent a lot of time playing for. Either way, it’s a great effort and it led to a spectacular catch. Well done!
T-No. 2 – June 5 vs. Pirates, P: Dylan Lee, H: Jared Triolo, Result: Line Out, .957 xBA
Spoiler alert: Michael Harris II is going to top this list, as he ended up making the two biggest plays on here. The next one is a bit more spectacular and fitting of being the top play on this list but that shouldn’t take away from the effort on display here. Harris had to cover a lot of ground to get to a ball that was quickly making its way towards the grass. Money Mike got there just in time in order to make the robbery and keep a good night going for the Braves.
No. 1 – September 8 vs. Rays, P: AJ Smith-Shawver, H: Chandler Simpson, Result: Line Out, .960 xBA
If the previous banger of a catch from Money Mike wasn’t enough for you, then here’s another one. It’s more spectacular at that, as Harris made a sliding catch to rob his childhood pal of a hit. The Rays were robbing the Braves left-and-right during this series so it’s only fitting that the Braves came away from this with something. In fact, the catch that Money Mike made here ended up being the biggest robbery of the season for Atlanta according to xBA of a batted ball. Again, it’s not particularly shocking that two of these came from Michael Harris II, right?
BONUS: The “Ah, Dangit” Award: September 20 at Astros, P: Martín Pérez, H: Jose Altuve, Result: Home Run, .051 xBA
Alright, here’s an unlucky moment to round things off. There were actually 10 other plays this season that resulted in hits against the Braves that had a lower xBA than this one but this was easily the cheapest dinger the Braves gave up all season. Altuve golfed a low pitch from Pérez and the ball ended up flying into the exact perfect spot for it to end up being a homer. This was a classic Crawford Boxes homer and I mean that quite literally — Daikin Park was the only ballpark in baseball where this would’ve been a homer. Awesome.
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks at an iPad in the dugout during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on June 04, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Starting tonight, two small market teams who have never won a title will attempt to do so when the Milwaukee Brewers host the Tampa Bay Rays for Game 1 of the 2026 World Series.
With a lockout looming and owners clamoring for a salary cap they say is necessary to restore competitive balance, the teams with the No. 19 (Milwaukee) and No. 28 (Tampa) payrolls are facing off against one another for all the marbles. Both teams led their respective leagues in victories and entered the postseason as the No. 1 seeds.
The fact these two teams are playing in the Fall Classic is proof that one does not need to have a payroll north of $250 million in order to be successful. Having money certainly helps, as the Los Angeles Dodgers have proven over the last few years and, all things being equal, fans should want their teams to spend money on players. The only reason the Phillies have gone on this five-year run of postseason appearances is because they’ve had one of the top-five payrolls in the sport.
The goal should be to spend a lot of money, but also to do it wisely.
Instead of dumping cash into the 26-man roster, the Rays and Brewers instead choose to spend their resources on hiring scouts and a deep analytics department whose goal is to give them a competitive advantage and help them develop their minor leaguers. Tampa and Milwaukee have done a marvelous job on both accounts, consistently producing top prospects that, upon entering the Majors, become low-cost productive players and, sometimes, even stars.
It would be easy to assume, given the Phils’ inability to make adjustments during slumps and their lack of top-end homegrown talent among position players and relievers, that the front office isn’t investing in those things as much as teams like the Brewers and Rays. That, however, is not true.
For my old friends at @BaseballAmerica, I compiled the sizes of each team’s scouting staff.
Note that many teams frequently renowned for their technology and analytics (Dodgers, Rays, Brewers) also have some of the largest scouting staffs in MLB. https://t.co/Iu4577ReKepic.twitter.com/uXtBTzeZgF
Three teams left, and all three have bigger-than-average analytics staffs.
Brewers: 46 (2nd in MLB) Rays: 39 Guardians: 30 League average: 28.5
The Phillies have the biggest staff in baseball, and they're already home. Like payroll, it's one input. Everything else combined… pic.twitter.com/EbV5BXkpnr
According to those tweets (neither of which I have independently verified but both come from reputable sources), no team in baseball has more people working in their analytics department (51) than the Phillies, and only two have more employed scouts. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb said last week the team had roughly 40 people working in analytics, but noted “most teams are secretive about their staffing.”
Regardless of the specific number, it’s a lot, among the most in Major League Baseball and certainly as robust as Milwauee’s 46 analytics employees and the Rays’ 39. The Phils have come a long way since 2014 when I interviewed Scott Freedman, the very first analytics employee hired by the Phillies, under Ruben Amaro, Jr. According to his LinkedIn page, Scott is now involved in sports and real estate planning and development.
But he got the ball rolling. Quite a difference in 12 years.
At his year-end press conference, Dombrowski talked about how the team has been using data. When you employ 51 people to provide information solutions for the field staff and front office, it’s clear work is being done. This is not an area the front office is pinching pennies. However, given Dombrowski’s comments, it sounds like either there are issues with the way the data is being produced and formulated, or the coaches and players throughout the organization aren’t using it or are using it incorrectly, especially on the hitting side (quote via The Athletic).
“They [the analytics department] supply good information that we are looking to improve upon. But I think they’re very good. I think that they really have a good foundation.
“For example, they work with (pitching coach) Caleb (Cotham) all the time, right? Well, from the pitching perspective, we’re known as being very progressive. So I think it’s not only how you get the information, but then how other people want to use it, too. That is information we need to do a better job at using. That’s not the analytic people’s fault. It’s something we need to do a better job at emphasizing ourselves.”
Matt Gelb also noted the team promoted Dan Aucoin in August to run the research and development arm of the analytics department:
On the hitting side, the Phillies have had analysts embedded in the underground cage for years. Hitters were often citing data presented to them by Kevin Long and other coaches. Maybe it could be better incorporated.
Since his promotion, Aucoin has rearranged the department by establishing a clearer hierarchy through new positions: an assistant director of pitching research (Kyle Lennon) and an assistant director of hitting research (Kyle Lindley).
The Phillies overhauled the R&D department’s “predictive modeling” staff in September. At least seven members of the R&D team have departed the Phillies since then. The predictive modeling group formed “the organization’s forecasts of player performance,” according to the team’s media guide.
All this requires some tea leaf reading, but it’s obvious something is amiss with this robust analytics department, the information they were providing and who and how the data was being used.
Dombrowski appears to want to create a hitting school, backed by data, that will behave in a way similar to the team’s pitching lab that has seen a good deal of success over the last couple years. They turned Andrew Painter around mid-season, helped Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo find another level, and gained success with relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman a few years ago.
But it’s not all analytics. Part of the Moneyball debate from the mid-2000s was a push back against big league scouts who only wanted to use feel, the eye test, and other intangibles when making their assessments of ball players. Teams today realize that scouts still serve a vital role, provided they are speaking the language the front office wants them to speak.
Even with a robust analytics department, the Phillies have the third-largest scouting department in MLB, according to Baseball America, with only the Yankees and Dodgers featuring more scouts. Their 89 scouts are more than the Rays’ 84 and the Brewers’ 78.
Again, these numbers may not be exact, but they paint a picture of an organization that is investing in the same ways the so-called “small market” teams are.
The Phillies have pro scouts, amateur scouts, international scouts and others scouring the country and the world for talent. So the question isn’t simply about numbers. Instead, important questions need to be asked.
Are they looking for a particular set of traits from hitters and pitchers? If so, is it aligned with what the analytics department is emphasizing? Is it aligned with traits the coaching staff wants? Are these players ill-fitted to what the coaching staff looks for? Should they be focusing less on pro scouting and more on amateur scouting? Are they putting their resources in the right places?
There has been a lot of shakeup in the organization’s front office, farm system hierarchy and analytics departments over the last calendar year. These kinds of changes indicate something wasn’t working.
But part of solving a problem is admitting there is one, and the best news is that the Phillies aren’t trying to solve these problems on the cheap. They have invested heavily in both of the areas, more heavily than the two World Series participants.
Milwaukee and Tampa are simply doing it better, and it’s up to the Phils’ front office to figure out what they’re doing wrong with the multitude of resources they have at their disposal.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 11: Jacob Misiorowski #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after striking out Kyle Tucker #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning during Game One of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday, October 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The World Series is here! Over the next week, a new champion will be crowned, the Brewers and Rays joining the Padres, Mariners, and Rockies as the five remaining teams in MLB to never win a title. The two teams are probably the archetypes in the league whose brand of baseball represents the object of desire for a significant subsection of fans: sound fundamentals, incisive base running, and a diversity of offensive profiles and approaches. The two teams are also at the cutting edge of a data-driven approach, whether that’s talent acquisition, player development, or skills maintenance, maximizing rosters limited by small TV markets and frugal owners.
Yesterday, we previewed the offenses of both clubs. The Brewers bats have been the class of the postseason, the only offense with a collective wRC+ above 100 in the playoffs, riding a surprising power surge from the top of their lineup. The Rays meanwhile have seemingly over-performed the many struggling bats in their postseason lineups and have to be approaching a record in the modern postseason format for productive outs — every game it feels like we’ve seen multiple sac bunts, sac flies, and runners advancing on fly balls and grounders.
Today, we’ll talk all things pitching.
Milwaukee Brewers
103-59, 1st NL Central Defeated Padres in NLDS, 3-1 Swept Dodgers in NLCS, 4-0
When we think about the teams with the best pitching staffs over the last decade, the Brewers certainly make the shortlist, and that held true in 2026. Their rotation led all of MLB in strikeout rate (27.4-percent) and K-BB% (19.6-percent) — thanks in large part to a certain Mr. Jacob Misiorowski — while also finishing in the top-five in ERA (3.61), FIP (3.73), and fWAR (15.6). And while the bullpen lagged behind the rotation a tad in the strikeout department, the unit still finished in the top four in ERA (3.40), FIP (3.70), and fWAR (7.0).
The Miz is obviously the marquee attraction of all the stellar pitching we are likely to see in the Fall Classic. The presumptive NL Cy Young redefined our limits for a starting pitcher, throwing the fastest pitch ever recorded by a starter (106 mph) and an astonishing 1,115 pitches 100 mph or faster, which was more than every other starting pitcher combined. He finished the year 16-5 in 30 starts, with an MLB-best 1.80 ERA (232 ERA+), 2.17 FIP, and 252 strikeouts in 174.2 innings. However, given the way the Rays sluggers crush the fastball and the issues he’s had with his heater in the postseason, Game 1 will be far from a walk in the park. His four-seamer induced a 40.2-percent whiff rate and held batters to a .174 average in the regular season, but has cratered to a 16.1-percent whiff rate while getting hit at a .364 clip in the postseason as it has lost some of its life despite holding its velocity, and that lack of whiffs is a prime culprit in why Misiorowski failed to make it out of the fifth in either of his postseason starts.
Logan Henderson was named as Game 2 starter and represents a steep drop off from The Miz. He’s had a remarkable start to his career — in 23 starts between this year and last he’s 14-3 with a 2.33 ERA (180 ERA+), 3.26 FIP, and 143 strikeouts in 123.2 innings — but has found the waters a bit choppier in the playoffs, giving up two runs (one earned) in five innings against the Padres and four runs (two earned) in four innings against the Dodgers. Milwaukee has not named a Game 3 starter, but you imagine Robert Gasser is in pole position after tossing five scoreless innings in Game 3 against Los Angeles.
The bullpen has been the real weapon on the pitching side for the Brewers this postseason, though you do wonder about the effect of fatigue as their relievers have thrown 10.2 more playoff innings than Rays relievers. They are second among the 12 playoff teams by both ERA (1.33), and FIP (2.98) and are an exciting mix of homegrown talent and shrewd trade deadline adds.
Milwaukee possesses one of the best one-two punches at the back of their bullpen in recent playoff memory. Aaron Ashby leads all postseason relievers with 12.1 IP but has yet to allow a run in six appearances while closer Trevor Megill has gone five scoreless appearances totaling 5.2 innings and secured four saves. Both pitchers operate in the upper-90s with their fastballs and figure to feature prominently in the final three if not four innings of every close game this series. The middle innings will be covered by guys like DL Hall and Antonio Senzatela, who like Ashby and Megill have not allowed a run this postseason, as well as lefty specialist JoJo Romero and ground ball guru Abner Uribe.
Tampa Bay Rays
98-64, 1st AL East Swept Yankees in ALDS, 3-0 Defeated Guardians in ALCS, 4-2
The Rays pitching factory kept on churning in 2026, producing some of their regular and postseason’s best performers from career journeymen or other teams’ discards. Their rotation was a top-seven unit during the regular season in ERA (3.51), FIP (3.79), and fWAR (14.4) despite losing ace Shane McClanahan to injury. The relief corps on the other hand sat middle of the pack by almost every metric, but has stepped up to be one of the postseason’s stingiest bullpens
Yesterday, I noted the two-headed monster of Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero atop the Rays lineup, and there are parallels you could draw with their rotation. Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta are, without question, the two standout starting pitchers from these playoffs. Rasmussen was one of MLB’s best pitchers, seventh among qualified starters in ERA, FIP, and fWAR (5.0), and has somehow shifted into an even higher gear in the playoffs. He pitched eight scoreless innings of one-hit ball with ten strikeouts against the Yankees and then made two starts against the Guardians, allowing two runs in six innings in Game 1 and the one run in seven innings in Game 5.
Peralta has somehow pitched even better than his rotation mate. Fastball Freddy as he was affectionately known from his time with the Brewers, the Rays have taken that moniker to a new level. By adjusting his position on the rubber, having him pitch out of the stretch, and extending his release point after the Mets salary dumped him at the deadline, the Rays have his fastball firing even better than his stellar eight seasons with Milwaukee. He allowed a run in 4.2 innings against the Yankees, tossed six scoreless against the Guardians in Game 2, recorded two outs in relief in Game 4, and then twirled 5.1 innings of one-run ball two days later to wrap up ALCS MVP honors.
However, neither player will start Game 1, as that honor belongs to Nick Martinez. The well-traveled swingman settled into a starting role in his age-35 season and rewarded the Rays with a 15-6 record in 31 starts, 3.10 ERA, 3.96 FIP, and 109 strikeouts in 180 innings, his 3.6-percent walk rate the lowest in baseball. He allowed two runs in 3.2 innings against the Yankees before holding Cleveland to a run in 5.1 innings in Game 4.
The Rays bullpen mirrors the Brewers’ in protecting the lead in the final two innings. Milwaukee has Ashby and Megill, the Rays have Cam Booser and Bryan Baker. Booser is truly one of the remarkable comeback stories in MLB, retiring in 2017 before returning and pitching eight seasons in the minors. He was signed by Tampa on a minor league deal to start the year and has only gone and become their shutdown setup man in the playoffs at the age of 34. With newfound velocity on his heater, the southpaw has tossed 4.2 scoreless innings across six appearances. He then hands the ball off to the closer Baker, who has also leveraged his explosive fastball to make seven scoreless appearances and record five saves. Tampa hasn’t had to rely on its bullpen as heavily this postseason as the Brewers on account of their brilliant starters, so the extra small sample sizes skew certain metrics. For example, Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour, and Tyler Wells have been the Rays’ main strikeout threats out of the ‘pen, but you wouldn’t expect so from a quick glance at their inflated postseason ERAs.
Ominously, this Rays pitching staff looks like it has the perfect ingredients to neutralize the Brewers’ strengths. Milwaukee was the best team in baseball at not chasing and drawing walks, but Rays pitchers live in the strike zone, and between Martinez and Rasmussen boast the two starters with the lowest walk rates in all of MLB. The Brewers also struggled at times against high velocity, which between Rasmussen, Peralta, Booser, and Baker the Rays have in abundance.
TORONTO, ON - JULY 18: The Toronto Blue Jays' World Series Commissioner's Trophy is seen before an MLB game between the Chicago White Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays on July 18, 2026, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 2026 major league season all comes down to this. Two small market teams have slayed all the giants and now they’ll square off in a World Series matchup that should provide a full tour of baseball skills. Unlike some of the walk and mash offenses we’ve seen dominate the league in recent years, the Rays and Brewers do it all. We’ll see a pair of young, athletic teams displaying power, speed, some bunting and timely situation hitting, pesky at-bats and hacks from a few free swingers, the works. At the same time, the two clubs are among the leading hitters in pitching development as well, and there will be plenty of firepower on display on the mound as well.
There’s going to be a lot said about small market teams, the league’s desire for a salary cap, competitive balance, and the like, but what the Brewers and Rays really illustrate is that the smartest teams win, regardless of payroll. That doesn’t mean that a behemoth like the recent Dodgers don’t have an advantage in payroll, which the league could address without the players, but it does mean that big spending teams fail pretty often too, and the money spent doesn’t replace the need for smart acquisitions, shrewd drafting and trades, and strong player development, none of which cost a lot compared to elite free agents.
When the postseason started I was firmly in the Brewers camp, but Kevin Cash and the Rays have won me back to a degree. Cash is one of the longest tenured managers in the game at this point, and he continues to handle the Rays’ constant tweaking of strategy and roster while leading them to consistent success while competing in the AL East. On the other hand, Pat Murphy is the kind of manager that players seem ready to run through walls for, and he definitely gives off the college coach with a lifetime of motivation quotes and jokes stored up for any occasion.
Both teams are young and talented, and while the resurgence of Freddy Peralta’s game tips the pitching side of the equation a bit toward the Rays’ favor, anyone could win this thing. The positional groups match up very evenly, as do the bullpens. Aces Drew Rasmussen for the Rays and Jacob Misiorowski for the Brewers will get a lot of the headlines, but Peralta sure is a nice kicker pitching this well.
So, with the World Series kicking off tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET in Milwaukee, who’s your pick? Does it just come down to home field advantage?
For myself, I think I’m still going Brewers. They just seem to respond to every challenge so far in October, knocking off a pair of tough teams in the Padres and Dodgers to get here. It’s just a bit deeper lineup right now in my opinion, and Brewers’ closer Trevor McGill is the most dominant force in either bullpen over the last few weeks.
AKRON, OH - JUNE 29: Travis Sykora #13 of the Harrisburg Senators pitching during the game between the Harrisburg Senators and the Akron RubberDucks at Canal Park on Sunday, June 29, 2025 in Akron, Ohio. (Photo by Lindsey Matier/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
It has been a long time since he has pitched, but Travis Sykora is still arguably the best pitching prospect in the Nationals organization. Before undergoing Tommy John Surgery in July of 2025, Sykora was on a rocket ship towards the big leagues. The big right hander should be back in 2027, so I wanted to take a look at what to expect.
Before talking about the future, I wanted to remind folks how dominant Sykora was in the lower minors. In his minor league career, Sykora posted a 2.14 ERA with 208 strikeouts in 130.1 innings. Sykora’s fastball, slider, splitter mix just dominated the opposition. He put up some truly cartoonish stats in 6 High-A starts before it was quickly determined that he needed a promotion.
I know it's only been six starts, but Travis Sykora is too good for High-A.
29.2 IP, 1.21 ERA, 44 K%, 7.5 BB%, .124 OBA
In that span, opponents are 1 for 17 against his splitter with 8 strikeouts and 5 for 45 against his slider with 24 strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/rXSMSIFx2Q
It is a real shame that Sykora got hurt on many levels, but one reason is that I wanted to see how he would do against Double-A competition. He only got to throw 4.2 innings at the level, but it was clear that this was the first time he would really be tested. While he struck out 9 batters, Sykora also issued 6 walks. He was not getting as much chase against more advanced hitters.
I was eager to see how Sykora would solve those problems. He seems like a very smart pitcher, so I have no doubt he would find the answers. However, we will not get to see that until 2027.
Sykora’s pitching intelligence and love for the game is easy to spot when you listen to him talk. I was watching this one interview where he talked about his Tommy John recovery process, as well as pitcher injuries in general. He talked about how he was doing everything he could to protect his arm, but in this era of velocity, injuries are almost inevitable.
Travis Sykora on the process of building velo back up coming back from Tommy John surgery pic.twitter.com/ebbXPDCTLE
In that interview, which was in August, Sykora also talked about how he was close to being able to throw at full strength. With that in mind, I would expect Sykora to be back on the mound at the start of next season.
Sykora has been posting videos where he shows fans the progress he is making. He was throwing bullpen’s as early as July 4th. That made me wonder if we could see him in the Arizona Fall League. However, he is not out there, with the Nationals playing it safe.
However, there is one complication here. Sykora is Rule 5 eligible, meaning he will have to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason. Usually, high school players aren’t this early, but since Sykora was 19 when he was drafted, the rules state he is Rule 5 eligible. For example, fellow 2023 draftee Alex Clemmey does not need to be added because he was 18 on draft day.
This could be quite unfortunate for Sykora’s development. Players on the 40-man roster cannot play in the minor leagues during the lockout. That means Sykora could be waiting on the sidelines for a little while. Just another reason to get a deal done as soon as possible.
Assuming the season does start at some point, I think Sykora could be a wild card for the Nats. Sykora should start the season at Double-A, though his outings are likely to be short as he builds up again. With the walk issues he had in his brief stint there in 2025, he might have some initial obstacles.
With his stuff and pitching IQ, I think he will figure it out though. Sykora throws a mid to upper 90’s heater at a very funky release point with a lot of extension. His splitter and slider are whiff machines as well. Sykora is only a three pitch guy, but with his funk and stuff, that could be all he needs.
He does a nice job sequencing and maximizing the effectiveness of his arsenal. One thing I would like to see is for Sykora to challenge hitters in the zone more. He was fairly reliant on chase in the lower minors, and as we saw in AA, it is harder to live that way against more advanced hitters. With his low walk rates in the lower minors, I do not think he has a major control issue though. It is more a matter of refining his plan of attack.
I would be surprised if Sykora were starting games for the Nats in 2027, but I think he could reach the majors. There is certainly a world where the Nationals are fighting for a playoff spot in late August, and Sykora is called up to give the bullpen some major reinforcements. I think he could thrive in that role thanks to his competitive nature.
In the long term, Sykora projects as a starter. However, I think 2028 is the year where the 6’6 right hander really makes his mark in the rotation. Assuming the stuff is unchanged, Sykora projects as a top of the rotation arm. His injury history and funky delivery give me some durability concerns, but at this point every pitcher is injury prone.
It will be a treat to watch Sykora do his thing again. Due to the injury, he is not generating much buzz at the moment. However, that should change quickly once folks see him back on the mound. This is a prospect with massive upside who could make a mark in the big leagues as early as next season.
As the Milwaukee Brewers prepare for the start of a 2026 World Series facing fellow small-budget Tampa Bay Rays, it’s worth wondering what it would take for the White Sox to get there next October. | (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Jacob Misiorowski and Nick Martinez will take the mound Friday night with a World Series championship in their sights. One is a 24-year-old flamethrower who dominated the National League. The other is a 36-year-old veteran whose team has mastered the art of getting the most out of its roster.
Their teams, the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, have taken different paths to baseball’s biggest stage. Yet both have something in common with the Chicago White Sox: They have built competitive rosters without the financial advantages enjoyed by the game’s biggest spenders.
The difference is that they are playing for a championship, while Chicago is trying to determine what it will take to join them.
The White Sox hit 211 home runs during the regular season, compared with 154 for Milwaukee and 169 for Tampa Bay. Chicago also scored an American League-best 776 runs, demonstrating that its offense could produce over a 162-game schedule. But the Brewers and Rays were better at preventing runs, and both finished with higher team batting averages and on-base percentages.
For general manager Chris Getz, the challenge isn’t simply acquiring more talent. It’s identifying which improvements would make the biggest difference in October.
Different offenses, similar ambitions
Milwaukee’s offensive success wasn’t dependent on the long ball.
The Brewers finished with a .258 batting average, .341 on-base percentage and .743 OPS. Tampa Bay hit .259 with a .326 on-base percentage and .728 OPS. Chicago finished at .236, .320 and .726.
Although the White Sox generated more power, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay were more successful at reaching base through hits. That difference offers one explanation for why the two World Series teams were able to create offense without relying as heavily on home runs.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy has emphasized the makeup of his roster rather than its collection of recognizable stars.
“They may have a bunch of Hall-of-Famers, but we’ve got a bunch of gamers,” Murphy told MLB.com following Milwaukee’s sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. “And the gamers won this week.”
Murphy’s comments followed a series in which Milwaukee eliminated a Dodgers roster filled with some of baseball’s most accomplished players.
The Brewers have relied on contributions from Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras and Christian Yelich, combining young talent with experienced veterans.
Chicago has its own promising foundation, including Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, Miguel Vargas, Kyle Teel and Munetaka Murakami. The challenge is developing an offense capable of succeeding against different types of pitching.
The White Sox struck out 1,494 times during the regular season, and their contact problems became especially apparent against Cleveland in the American League Division Series. Chicago struck out 75 times in five games, including a nine-inning record (regular season or postseason) 21 times in its season-ending loss.
“I thought it was less about chase and more about being attacked in the zone and swing and miss in the zone,” White Sox manager Will Venable told MLB.com following the elimination.
His assessment suggests Chicago’s problem wasn’t exclusively plate discipline. Hitters also struggled to make contact against pitches in the strike zone.
That weakness could become increasingly important as the White Sox attempt to advance deeper into October.
Pitching provides the clearest separation
The difference among the three pitching staffs is difficult to overlook: Milwaukee finished with a 3.51 ERA, followed by Tampa Bay at 3.72 and Chicago at 4.12. The Brewers also struck out 25.8% of opposing hitters, compared with 22.3% for Tampa Bay and 21.7% for the White Sox.
But the World Series teams haven’t reached this point using identical pitching strategies.
Milwaukee’s Misiorowski led the majors with a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts and a 0.802 WHIP during the regular season. Tampa Bay has relied on a deeper collection of starters, including Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta and Martinez.
Misiorowski understands that overpowering hitters isn’t always enough in October.
“Obviously the Padres and Dodgers both had a good approach of just fouling stuff off,” Misiorowski told MLB.com before Game 1. “I bet Tampa Bay is going to do pretty much the same thing.”
The comment illustrates a critical difference between postseason pitching and regular-season dominance. Opponents who can extend at-bats and drive up pitch counts can force even the most talented starters out of games earlier than expected.
Tampa Bay’s Martinez has approached his Game 1 assignment with a different emphasis.
“It’s exciting,” Martinez told MLB.com. “As a team, as a staff, we’re confident in whoever we call up for the mound.”
That confidence reflects a pitching staff capable of succeeding through multiple combinations of starters and relievers.
Chicago demonstrated some of that same flexibility during its postseason run, relying on Sean Burke, Hagen Smith, Grant Taylor and others to navigate critical innings. But having pitchers who can fill different roles isn’t necessarily the same as having a dependable rotation.
The White Sox must determine whether their young starters can provide enough consistency over a full season or whether adding an established veteran should become an offseason priority.
Building a contender without buying one
Milwaukee and Tampa Bay have also demonstrated that there is no single formula for constructing a championship roster. The Brewers have benefited from developing homegrown players, while the Rays have consistently used trades and roster flexibility to maximize production.
Neither organization entered the season with one of baseball’s largest payrolls.
For Getz, that distinction is particularly relevant.
Chicago’s unexpected postseason appearance was driven by a collection of young players who were still developing at the major league level, and the general manager has emphasized that the organization must continue building on those gains rather than assuming the current roster has reached its potential.
“We were able to get more positive outcomes this year because of that,” Getz told MLB.com while discussing the organization’s emphasis on player development.
The White Sox have accumulated considerable organizational depth, particularly in the infield, creating opportunities to explore trades or move players to different positions.
That flexibility could become valuable if Chicago decides its greatest need is starting pitching rather than another offensive addition.
The Brewers and Rays provide evidence that successful organizations don’t necessarily need to win the offseason spending race. They need to identify players who fit their approach and develop enough depth to withstand injuries, inconsistency and the demands of October.
The difference between reaching October and winning in it
Getz acknowledged that Chicago’s first postseason appearance since 2021 provided lessons that could not have been duplicated during the regular season.
“Some of our players responded really well, and there were times where they got sped up,” Getz told MLB.com during his end-of-season media availability.
That experience could prove valuable for a young roster that had little previous exposure to postseason pressure. But experience alone won’t close the statistical gaps.
Milwaukee and Tampa Bay finished with better pitching numbers and stronger team batting averages. Chicago’s power and ability to draw walks made its offense competitive, but the strikeout problem exposed a weakness that elite pitching staffs could exploit.
The White Sox don’t necessarily need to abandon their approach, but they need more ways to succeed when their preferred approach isn’t working.
As the World Series begins, Chicago fans should watch how the Brewers and Rays handle two-strike counts, extend at-bats, deploy their bullpens and create scoring opportunities without home runs. Those details could give the White Sox a clearer blueprint than any individual free-agent signing.
Milwaukee and Tampa Bay aren’t playing for a championship because they followed the same formula. They’re playing because each organization found a formula that worked.
Chicago’s next challenge is determining what its own formula is missing.
