Category: Baseball

The offseason is almost upon us, which means it’s time to pull out your calendars and see when certain offseason events occur. November is sure to be busy, but things get a little more uncertain once we turn to December and the expected lockout begins. During that time, some events will be postponed if not cancelled outright.

Today, be on the lookout for my Rockpile covering the 40-man roster.

Either way, here is the calendar of notable dates for the offseason.

Day after the World Series ends

• Free Agents file – 7 am MT

November 1

• Gold Glove Awards announced – 7 pm MT (ESPN)

November 2

• HOF eight-person Contemporary Baseball Era ballot for managers, executives and umpires
• Silver Slugger Award finalists announced – 12 pm MT
• BBWAA Awards Finalists announced – 4- 6 p.m. MT (MLB Network) – (ROY, Cy Young, MVP, etc)

Five days after the World Series ends

• Free agency opens at 3 p.m. MT 
• Last day to issue Qualifying Offer 
• 60-day Injured List reinstatement 
• Contract options deadline 

November 6

• Heart & Hustle Awards announced – TBD – MLB Network
• Gold Glove Awards dinner in NYC – Platinum Glove winners announced

November 9

• Rookie of the Year – 5-6 pm ET (MLB Network)

November 9-12

• GM Meetings in Las Vegas

November 10

• Manager of the Year – 5-6 pm MT (MLB Network)

November 11

• Cy Young Awards and BBWAA Relievers of the Year – 5-7 pm MT (MLB Network)
• MLB Awards show – 7- 9 pm MT (MLB Network)
• All-MLB first and second teams
• Hank Aaron Award winners
• Comeback Players of the Year
• Mariano Rivera & Trevor Hoffman relievers of the year
• Edgar Martinez DH of the Year

November 12 

• MVP Award – 5-6 pm ET (MLB Network)

November 16 

• Hall of Fame announces its 2027 ballot, 10 am MT – Writer’s ballot

November 17-19

• Owners meetings in New York

November 17

• Silver Slugger Awards
• Deadline for players to accept the Qualifying Offer, 2 pm MT
• Rule 5 protection deadline (Players need to be added to 40-man roster to protect from the Rule 5 draft)

November 20

• Non-tender Deadline

December 1 

• CBA expires 9:59 pm MT – Lockout begins

December 6

• BBWAA announces Contemporary Baseball Era inductees

December 7-9

• Winter Meetings in San Diego (Likely to be canceled)

December 8

• Draft Lottery (likely to be postponed during lockout)

December 9

• Rule 5 Draft (likely to be postponed or canceled during lockout)

January 8 

• Arbitration figures exchanged (likely to be postponed during lockout)

January 15

• International signing period opens

January 19

• Hall of Fame announces BBWAA voting results & 2007 inductees, 4 pm MT (MLB Network)

In the meantime, here are today’s links and content for the Rockies and the rest of MLB!

Rockies news and links

Owen Cuffe promoted to assistant director of pitching for the Colorado Rockies | Purple Row

The Rockies are looking to continue shaping their pitching philosophy this offseason and as part of that, they have promoted Owen Cuffe to assistant director of pitching. Cuffe was hired last January to work as a pitching and rehab coach in the Arizona Complex League. The team seems to have liked him enough in that role to now expand his talents to all facets of the organization.

Top 40 MLB free agents for 2026-27: Contract predictions, team fits for Skubal, Peralta, more | The Athletic ($)

Jim Bowden end up listing Taylor Ward as a free agent option for the Rockies. Ward’s right-handed bat and potential for power could be a nice fit for the Rockies. Ward didn’t have a good season between the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners, so a one-year prove-it deal on a cheaper deal could be a steal for the Rockies if he rebounded.

World Series Highlights Rockies’ Need for Bullpen Help in 2027 | Rockies On SI

Ben Fisher highlights how bullpens have been a focal point of the World Series teams and the Rockies should take note of how important late-game relievers are for a winning team.

Rockies prospect Stu Flesland III on fast track to Coors Field | Denver Gazette

Kevin Henry catches up with prospect Stu Flesland III who could be at Coors Field sooner rather than later. He’s currently in the Arizona Fall League and continuing to look for more velocity.

Are the Brewers Cheating? Milwaukee on the Brink, Jack O’Dowd’s Rise & MLB’s Last Game? | Mile High Territory

On this episode of Mile High Territory, Ryan Spilborghs and Troy Renck talked about the Milwaukee Brewers being on the brink of a title and then talked about Jack O’Dowd as well as some stories with former Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd.

Around MLB

Rays live to fight another day thanks to Williamson’s walk-off single | MLB.com

The Milwaukee Brewers came three outs shy of securing their first World Series title as the Tampa Bay Rays managed to pull off a 4-3 walk-off victory in the 12th inning. Former Rockie Antonio Senzatela finished the 11th inning and started the 12th, but left after an error allowed the lead off runner to reach. Shane Drohan then entered, and the Rays tied the game and managed to load the bases before a chopped single to right field won the game. So, they’ll play at least one more tonight in Tampa Bay with the series now 3-1 in favor of the Brewers.

118.2 mph exit velo! 103.8 mph fastball! These are the Arizona Fall League Statcast leaders | MLB.com

The AFL is at its midpoint, so Jim Callis breaks down some of the Statcast leaders to this point in the season. Jack O’Dowd comes in with the fourth-longest home run.

Astros GM Search: Mike Rizzo May Be Exactly What Jim Crane Wants — and That Says Everything | The Crawfish Boxes

The Houston Astros are in search of a new general manager and former Washington Nationals leader Mike Rizzo interviewed for the position. Our Astros affiliate breaks down the fit of Rizzo.

Phillies hire Fatse as new hitting coach | MLB.com

The Phillies lineup is sure to look different next year and the team has hired a new hitting coach and assistant to hopefully provide a new path forward.

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Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

The Tigers had some housekeeping to do before the real offseason begins, and they made progress on Tuesday by inking veteran catcher Carlos Perez and several of their better minor league relief prospects to new minor league deals.

Pérez took the place of Tomás Nido as their Triple-A depth catcher de jeur back in July, with Nido eventually signing on with the Boston Red Sox. Pérez was red hot with the bat in Toledo until an ankle injury in August ended his season. The 36-year-old backstop has some major league experience and is regarded as a good game caller with solid defensive skills.

The three relievers signed to new minor league contracts were some of their top relievers at the Double-A level last year. Sinkerballer Moises Rodriguez leads the way with a high 90’s sinker that touches triple digits and a solid breaking ball. He was our 28th ranked prospect, and really the only notable upper level relief prospect on our preseason prospect rankings. The 24-year-old rarely allows hard contact in the air and posted a 2.57 ERA in 2026, but inconsistent command and two good pitches that don’t really pair together that well by shape and appearance out of hand have kept him from breaking through. He signed a one-year deal to stay in the Tigers farm system, though he’s eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason.

Veteran right-hander Marco Jimenez also re-signed with the Tigers. The 26-year-old throws hard and has a quality breaking ball, but the fastball shape plays down a bit from the 97-98 mph typically seen from Jimenez. He has hit triple digits for various stretches in the past, though injuries have also slowed his progress. He only threw 16.2 innings in 2026, but his strikeout rate was decent and his walk rate was excellent. The home runs were a problem though that’s obviously a small sample and Jimenez hasn’t had much trouble with giving up home runs in the past.

Finally, 30-year-old right-hander Wandisson Charles also re-upped with the Tigers. After several years in the Baltimore Orioles system without breaking through to the major leagues, Wandisson didn’t pitch in 2025 and the Tigers brought him in on a minor league deal last winter. He was the key cog in the Erie SeaWolves bullpen this year, striking out 31.2 percent of hitters faced over 63.2 innings of work. Charles is another who throws hard and keeps the ball on the ground. The heater is good enough that he could probably hang in middle relief, but his breaking stuff needs to be more consistent.

The Tigers other minor league free agents not yet re-signed includes outfielder Roberto Campos, utilityman Trei Cruz, and right handed relievers Yoniel Curet, who is young enough and has power stuff worth keeping, and veteran reliever Jack Little. Campos is far and away the most notable name as he received a $2.85 million bonus as a teenager who flew Cuba to the Dominican Republic. Now 24, Campos’ progress has been slow, but it has remained steady as well and he handled the jump to Double-A reasonably well this year. At this point his upside is more of a fourth outfielder type, but the Tigers would probably like to hang onto him one more year to see if he improving selectivity helps him finally tap into more of his raw power.

Good morning. Especially since we’re getting a Game Five tonight. Apologies to Jack Buck in the Great Beyond for today’s title. And we’ll see you tonight from when you’re reading this.

• The Rays beat the Brewers 4-3 in Game Four after falling behind 3-2 in the top of the 12th inning and then scoring twice in the bottom of the inning.
• With 2.1 scoreless innings in Game Four, Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby recorded his 18th consecutive scoreless inning of work in the playoffs, a new record for one postseason.
• Game three will be remembered for the eight-run fifth inning that seems to have clinched the title for the Brewers (although the Rays aren’t dead yet). Julian McWilliams goes over that pivotal point in the Series that broke the Rays’ back.
• Jake Mintz points out that Christian Yelich’s hustle on the base paths was the difference in Game 3.

After further review, Christian Yelich was ruled safe at second base to load the bases with two outs in the 5th pic.twitter.com/OTsRHlPsZW

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 27, 2026

• Michael Baumann breaks down that eight-run inning. (Fangraphs paywall)
• Andy McCullough looks at that eight-run inning and the Brewers on the brink of their first title. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• The Brewers Jackson Chourio became the youngest player since Joe Garagiola in 1946 to have four hits in one World Series game.
• Matt Snyder writes that Chourio is now the face of the Brewers franchise.
• Jordan Shusterman has more thoughts on Chourio and his Game Three heroics.
• Jesse Rogers looks that the impact that manager Pat Murphy has had on the Brewers’ success.
• Andy McCullough and Will Sammon note that if the Brewers want to continue to be good, they may have to trade many of the heroes of this season. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Tyler Kepner writes about Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff’s career with Milwaukee and his miraculous comeback from injury to pitch the ninth inning in Game Three. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Davy Andrews marvels at Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson’s speed and unique sliding technique. (Fangraphs paywall)
• Will Sammon asks some scouts how much could Rays pitcher Freddy Peralta make in free agency this winter. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Despite some bad predictions with the two small markets, television ratings were only down a little for Games One and Two.
• Dan Shanoff and Andrew Marchand have more on what the TV ratings mean. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• None of this matters to commissioner Rob Manfred, who argued that two small market teams in the World Series means even more that baseball needs a salary cap. Mike Axisa reports.
• A FAQ on the upcoming collective bargaining talks and the lockout.
• Before that, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman have the top 50 free agents this winter.
• Congratulations to the Mets’ Francisco Lindor, who won this year’s Roberto Clemente Award.
• The Mariners are holding in-person interviews for their vacant manager job. The two candidates appear to be former Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler.
• Eric Longenhagen looks at some of the prospects in the Arizona Fall League.
• An update on the restrictions on outfield defensive positioning in the AFL.
• Legendary Yankees catcher Jorge Posada said that he doesn’t “feel welcome” around the Yankees. He didn’t say why.
• Andrew Baggarly reports on Giants team president Buster Posey comments on how the team plans on developing better “stuff” among their pitchers. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Former Dodger Miguel Rojas plans to play one more game for his original Venezuelan League team in Miami this November before retiring.
• The 2009 World Series MVP Hideki Matsui has been named the new manager of the Yomiuri Giants in NPB. Max Ralph reports.
• Sweeny Murti notes that former Royal Danny Jackson had the only immaculate inning in postseason history and didn’t even know it for 30 more years. That’s because “immaculate inning” wasn’t a thing in 1985.
• Charlotte Barnes has a look at the “organized chaos” as the wives, fiancées and girlfriends of major leaguers in the World Series plan what they’re going to wear to support their significant others. (The Athletic sub. req.) There’s a lot of planning and custom orders.
• And finally, we all know the sad part of the Brewers run to the title is that Bob Uecker is not around for it. Cody Stavenhagen talks to people in the Brewers family about their memories of Uecker and how none of this seems complete without him. (The Athletic sub. req.)

On one hand, I’m never truly ready for baseball season to end, but in the case of this World Series, I have a particular rooting interest who could’ve ended the season on Tuesday night. Having crushed the Rays in Game 3, the Brewers went into Game 4 a win away from a sweep and the franchise’s first ever World Series championship.

In the end, they came mightily close, but not close enough. Having taken a lead in the 12th inning, the Brewers couldn’t quite hold on. With five consecutive batters reaching base, the Rays came storming back in the bottom of the 12th, ensuring that we’ll have at least one more game this season.

World Series Game 4

Tampa Bay Rays 4, Milwaukee Brewers 3 — 12 innings
(Brewers lead series 3-1)

The two teams traded runs back and forth throughout the first half of the game.

Having been part of some defensive miscues that helped doom the Rays in Game 3, Chandler Simpson helped get Tampa Bay off to a better start in Game 4. His second inning double scored Jonny DeLuca to get Tampa Bay on the board and open the scoring.

Milwaukee got on the board themselves in the top of the fourth. Cooper Pratt hit a two-out double to score Sal Frelick and even things up. However, the Rays answered back in the bottom of the inning. With Junior Caminero on second, DeLuca hit a grounder to Brewers’ third baseman David Hamilton. Hamilton’s reaching attempt to tag out an advancing Caminero missed and his throw to first was then wide of the mark. The error allowed Caminero to score.

However, it didn’t take long for Hamilton to atone for that. He was due to lead off the top of the fifth and took Griffin Jax deep to tie the score once again.

After that, the game became a battle of the bullpens, and quite a battle it was. After tying it up in the fifth, the Brewers had just three runners reach base in regulation innings, and none of them advanced into scoring position. Meanwhile after taking the lead in the fourth, the Rays had just two runners reach base, and similarly they didn’t get close to scoring. Eventually the game headed into extra innings.

Both teams traded opportunities in extras, but it wasn’t until the 12th inning when things went haywire. With one out in the top half of the inning, Cooper Pratt went deep, giving the Brewers their first lead of the game and putting them on the cusp of a championship.

However, a fairly big issue arose after that in that the Brewers didn’t have an obvious option to try and close out the win, having used most of their big pieces to get the game to extras to begin with. That includes Aaron Ashby, who went 2.1 innings in this game, setting a record in the process. They tried sticking with Antonio Senzatela, who had finished off the 11th, until Camerino reached on an error to lead off the inning, leading to Pat Murphy going back to the bullpen.

Shane Drohan was the call, but things didn’t improve from there. Liam Hicks singled to put runners at the corners. DeLuca then punched through a single of his own, tying the game back up. Following a Simpson single to load the bases, Ben Williamson capped off the comeback with yet another single. His walk-off scored pinch runner Nick Fortes as the Rays had won the game to stay alive.

Milwaukee will now have to try again tomorrow night, when they’ll likely send Jacob Misiorowski to the mound. Meanwhile, the Rays used their Game 1 starter, Nick Martinez, for two innings out of the bullpen in this one, so it’s unclear exactly where they’ll go.

How will this year's World Series play out? Using the Dynasty League Baseball online simulation, USA TODAY Sports' Steve Gardner and DLB designer Mike Cieslinski will pre-play each game to provide some insight into the key matchups and strategy fans can expect to see in the Fall Classic.

In real life, the Milwaukee Brewers have three more chances to close out the 2026 World Series, so the pressure won't really start ramping up unless they have to return home still looking for that clinching victory.

In USA TODAY Sports' annual Simulated World Series, the Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are on much more even footing, with each team winning twice on the other's home field. Game 5, in this sense, is more pivotal than it is a potential endpoint.

Also in our version of the series, the Rays have ace Drew Rasmussen available to pitch on full rest after starting him in Game 1. The result was a classic pitcher's duel against Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski, with both pitchers putting up goose eggs ... until Tampa Bay broke through in the eighth for a 3-0 win.

Rays vs Brewers World Series Game 5 simulation

The stage was set for a classic pitching matchup, with Rasmussen and Misiorowski fully rested − and with fresh bullpens behind them thanks to a blowout Brewers win in Game 4.

For seven innings, the bullpens remained quiet as the two aces carved up hitters with ease.

The Rays got two runners on base in the first, but Jonny DeLuca was no match for the Miz and grounded out.

Meanwhile, Rasmussen was super-sharp. He pitched around an error and a stolen base in the Milwaukee fourth when the Rays retired lead runner Jackson Chourio at third base on a poor bunt by Brice Turang.

The Brewers didn't get a hit off the Rays right-hander until the sixth inning, when Sal Frelick roped a one-out single to right field. But he was cut down by Fortes trying to steal second. Rasmussen got out of a jam later in the inning after David Hamilton singled, stole second and went to third on catcher Nick Fortes' throwing error. Chourio grounded out to end the threat.

The Rays finally cracked the ice in the eighth against lefty reliever Aaron Ashby, who had just entered the game for Misiorowski. Second baseman Nick Madrigal led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Walls. After Yandy Diaz walked, Jonathan Aranda grouned a left-on-left single to right, but Madrigal was cut down at the plate on a perfect throw from Sal Frelick for the second out.

With runners on the corners, pinch-hitter Ryan Vilade plated the game's first run with a clean single to center. And Junior Caminero provided the exclamation point with a two-run double off Trevor Megill for a 3-0 lead.

The Rays wouldn't even need closer Bryan Baker to finish things out. Rasmussen remained in the game for the ninth inning to retire the Brewers in order and complete the shutout.

BOX SCORE:  Rays 3 Brewers 0

FULL PLAY-BY-PLAY: Rasmussen dominant in 3-hit shutout

What to watch in (the real) Game 5

▶ Misiorowski obliterates lefty hitters. Expected NL Cy Young award winner Jacob Misiorowski had a historically dominant season in 2026, allowing the fewest baserunners per nine innings since Pedro Martinez in 2000. One of the most eye-popping stats is his overpowering success against left-handed batters. He held them to a .114/.189/.189 slash line in 366 plate appearances.

There's not much the Rays can do about that, except maybe sit first baseman Jonathan Aranda or left fielder Chandler Simpson. In Sim Series Game 5, both of those lefty hitters started with the only lineup change from Game 1 being Ben Williamson starting at second base over switch-hitter Richie Palacios.

▶ Ashby finally falters. Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby has emerged as one of the stars of this postseason, tossing a record 17⅔ scoreless innings. His overpowering presence has helped the Brewers lock down any lead, no matter how small, in the late innings.

In Sim Series Game 5, the Brewers turned to Ashby with the score 0-0 in the eighth. He'd been perfect so far in this series as well, allowing no hits and no runs over three appearances and 3⅓ innings. But this time, the Rays cracked the code. An unlikely leadoff single from backup infielder Nick Madrigal (who didn't even make the Rays actual World Series roster) started the winning rally. Yandy Diaz walked. And even more stunning, Jonathan Aranda pulled a single to right field. (Ashby yielded just a .215 batting average to left-handed hitters during the regular season.)

Ryan Vilade, the Rays' best weapon off the bench against leftt-handed pitchers (.272/.341/.477), had the big hit here with an RBI single that scored Diaz and ended Ashby's outing. Should the Brewers have brought in right-hander Trevor Megill to counter Vilade? Perhaps so in hindsight.

Megill did come in one batter later to face Junior Caminero, who sealed the deal with a two-run double.

▶ Rasmussen's availability. Although Rays ace Drew Rasmussen wasn't at his best in the real Game 2, a second chance for redemption would be welcome. He was outstanding once again here in the Sim Series, going the distance and only allowing three hits and two walks, while striking out seven for his second win. (He tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings in the opener.)

In real life, the Rays still need to win three in a row, so there isn't much difference in Rasmussen pitching Game 5 or Game 6. But after they used Game 1 starter Nick Martinez in relief and will likely need to go to a bullpen game, they might be wishing they had their ace on the mound − and an extra day of rest to refresh the bullpen.

▶ Baserunning blunders. In an attempt to break through against Rasmussen, the Brewers ran themselves out of a couple innings, with Chourio getting caught trying to advance to third base on Turang's bunt in the fourth. Turang was also caught in a rundown on a steal attempt immediately after that.

Also in the sixth, Sal Frelick was cut down trying to steal second with one out.

Rays catcher Nick Fortes was almost exactly average in throwing out runners during the regular season with 15 outs in 75 attempts (20%). The Brewers' William Contreras was much better, going 15-for-54 (28%). Dynasty League Baseball accounts for the proficiency of each catcher in throwing runners out. Fortes has a zero arm rating (average), while Contreras is a -2, which is above average. (The ratings range from +4 to -4.)

Through the first five games of the Sim Series, the Rays have not attempted a stolen base on Contreras, while the Brewers are 6-for-9 on their attempts vs. Fortes.

Previous 2026 Sim Series results

• Game 1:Rays 3, Brewers 0
• Game 2:Rays 5, Brewers 2
• Game 3:Brewers 5, Rays 4
• Game 4:Brewers 9, Rays 1

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Simulated World Series 2026: Peerless pitching propels Rays in Game 5

We’re going to hear so many different names connected to the Phillies during the offseason, but without knowing how much money they can spend, it’ll be tough to guess. Usually, we know that they didn’t want to extend beyond the final luxury tax threshold, but will those even be a thing in the post-CBA world? We’ll have to wait and see.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

• This is going to be a name you hear A LOT about this offseason: the Phillies are a great fit for Randy Arozarena.
• The team made it official, naming Peter Fatse as their hitting coach as well as naming some assistant coaches as well.

MLB news:

• We criticize Jim Bowden a lot around here, but when it comes to judging free agent contracts, he’s usually dead on accurate ($).
• The Mariners have some finalists for their managerial job, one of them being a former manager of a division rival.
• Old friend Jeff Hoffman had some minor elbow surgery on his pitching elbow, but should be good to start the 2027 season.
• Arizona Fall League has reached its midpoint, so it’s a good time to see who has had a good showing in the desert.

Free of charge for the discerning reader.

Happy birthday to Esmailin Caridad, and a mighty host of others.

Today in baseball history, in 2016 – In the first World Series game played at Wrigley Field in 71 years, the Indians eke out a 1-0 victory over the Cubs in Game 3 of the 2016 World Series. Pinch-runner Michael Martinez scores the only run in the seventh when he is driven in from third base by pinch-hitter Coco Crisp‘s single. Cody Allen ends the game by striking out Ben Zobrist with two runners in scoring position, and other stories as well.

Today in baseball history:

• 1968 – Future Hall of FamerBob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals wins his first Cy Young Award. Gibson is a unanimous choice after dominating hitters with a 22-9 record and an ERA of 1.12 during the “Year of the Pitcher.”
• 1981 – Behind the solid pitching of Burt Hooton, the Los Angeles Dodgers complete a World Series comeback, defeating the New York Yankees, 9-2, in Game 6. The Dodgers had trailed the Series two games to none before bouncing back to win four straight games. Pedro Guerrero drives in five runs for Los Angeles, who avenge two six-game World Series defeats to the Yankees in 1977 and 1978. It is the third time this postseason Los Angeles comes from behind to win a series: they were 0-2 behind Houston in the NLDS and 1-2 behind the Expos in the NLCS. Guerrero, Ron Cey and Steve Yeager share the Series MVP Award.
• 1989 – The Oakland Athletics complete a sweep in the World Series with a 9-6 win over the San Francisco Giants. Rickey Henderson‘s home run supports starter and winner Mike Moore. Dave Stewart is named Series MVP after winning the first and third game of the Series, which was interrupted by the Loma Prieta earthquake.
• 1995 – The Braves win their first World Series since moving to Atlanta with a 1-0 shutout of Cleveland in Game 6. Pitchers Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combine on a one-hitter and David Justice hits a home run in the sixth inning for the only run. Jim Poole is the losing pitcher.
• 2001 – In the World Series, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches a three-hit shutout to defeat the Yankees, 4-0, taking a 2-0 advantage in the Series. Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams. He homered in the Fall Classic for the Indians in 1997 and the Giants in 1989, prior to doing so for Arizona today.
• 2007 – The Red Sox win their second Championship of the decade, with their sweep of the Rockies in the 2007 World Series. Colorado had won 21 of 22 games entering the Series before falling flat. They lose Game 4 by a 4-3 score, thanks to 5.2 scoreless innings from Jon Lester. Mike Lowell is named World Series MVP.
• 2009 – The Philadelphia Phillies win Game 1 of the World Series, 6-1, over the New York Yankees, as Cliff Lee outpitches CC Sabathia in a duel of former Cy Young Award winners. Chase Utley hits a pair of homers. It is the latest starting date in the history of the Fall Classic.
• 2010 – In Game 2 of the 2010 World Series, the Giants rout the Rangers, 9-0, but the score is only 1-0 in the seventh when Texas starter C.J. Wilson leaves with a blister on his finger. Matt Cain and two relievers combine on a four-hit shutout. Texas has allowed 20 runs in the first two World Series games in franchise history, setting a major league record.
• 2011 – The St. Louis Cardinals win the 11th title of their history by defeating the Texas Rangers, 6-2, in Game 7 of the World Series. Texas takes a two-run lead in the top of the 1st, but Series MVPDavid Freese ties the score with a two-run double in the bottom of the inning. Chris Carpenter then keeps the Rangers from adding to their score, while Allen Craig hits a third-inning homer off Matt Harrison. The Cards add two runs without getting a hit in the 5th and, typically, St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa uses four relievers to get the last nine outs. It is an unlikely title for a team that was 10.5 games out on August 25th and twice was down to its last strike in Game 6.
• 2012 – The Giants complete a sweep of the Tigers in the World Series with a 4-3, 10-inning win in Game 4. Miguel Cabrera, Delmon Young and Buster Posey all homer as the two teams are tied, 3-3, after nine innings, then Marco Scutaro drives in Ryan Theriot for the winning run in the top of the 10th. Sergio Romo ends the game by striking out Cabrera, picking up his third save. It is the Giants’ second Championship in three years. Pablo Sandoval, author of a three-homer performance in Game 1, is named World Series MVP.
• 2013 – The Red Sox take a three-games-to-two lead in the World Series with a 3-1 win over the Cardinals. David Ortiz continues to be unstoppable at the plate, getting three more hits to increase his average for the Series to .733, while back-up C David Ross has the big blow, a tie-breaking ground rule double in the seventh. Jon Lester prevails over Adam Wainwright for the second time.
• 2018 – The Red Sox win their ninth Championship and fourth since 2004 by defeating the Dodgers, 5-1, in Game 5 of the World Series. David Price pitches seven strong innings after allowing a lead-off homer to David Freese, but not before Boston had taken a 2-0 lead on a homer by Steve Pearce off Clayton Kershaw. Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and Pearce all hit solo shots later in the game to put the score out of reach, while Joe Kelly and Chris Sale combine to strike out the last six Dodgers batters in order. Pearce is named winner of the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.
• 2023 – The Diamondbacks tie up the World Series with a 9-1 win over the Rangers in Game 2. Merrill Kelly pitches seven excellent innings but the game is close until Arizona scores seven runs over the final three innings. Gabriel Moreno opens the scoring with the game’s lone homer, while Tommy Pham has four of the D-Backs’ 16 hits. Ketel Marte sets a new record by extending his postseasonhitting streak to 18 games, breaking a four-way tie.
• 2024 – The Dodgers take a three-games-to-none lead in the World Series by beating the Yankees, 4-2, in Game 3 played at New Yankee Stadium. Freddie Freeman homers with one on in the first inning off Clarke Schmidt — a record-tying fifth consecutive World Series game in which he has gone deep, going back to 2021, and the Dodgers add a couple more runs before Alex Verdugo hits a two-run bomb of his own in the bottom of the 9th – but it is too little, too late.

Cubs Birthdays:Jake Woodford, Justin Hancock, Esmailin Caridad*, Larry Casian, Lenny Harris, Luis Márquez, George Hennessey, Percy Jones, Bill McCabe, Ed McDonald.

Today in history:

• 1793 – Eli Whitney applies for a patent for his cotton gin machine, used to pull cotton fibers from the seed.
• 1831 – British scientist Michael Faraday demonstrates his dynamo invention, an electric generator.
• 1886 – The Statue of Liberty is dedicated by President Grover Cleveland and is celebrated with the first confetti (ticker tape) parade in New York City.
• 1900 – Summer (Modern) Olympic Games in Paris end after five months; no opening or closing ceremonies are held.
• 1904 – St. Louis police try a new investigative method, fingerprints.
• 1954 – Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to Ernest Hemingway.
• 1962 – NY Giants quarterback Y. A. Tittle passes for seven touchdowns vs. Washington in a 49-34 win.
• 1965 – The Gateway Arch, 630 ft (192 m) tall, is completed in St. Louis, Missouri.
• 1978 – Bobby Orr scores his last career NHL goal against Detroit Red Wings

*pictured.

Good morning Birdland,

The Orioles year-long hunt for a new General Manager to sit underneath Mike Elias in the front office came to an end last week, when they announced the hiring of Jared Banner. The 41-year-old Banner was officially introduced to the media and fan base in a press conference on Tuesday.

Banner comes to the Orioles with 18 years of baseball operations experience. He has spent the last six seasons with the Cubs organization, including the last two being spent as their assistant general manager.

Elias will continue to be the boss. However, he made it clear in the press conference that Banner’s role is going to be significant:

“Our setup right now is that Jared will take over everything to do with our internal players, our internal coaches, player development, performance, healthcare, all of that is going to fall under his umbrella,” Elias said. “I will then work more directly on the scouting and acquisition side of the equation — pro, international, amateur, contracts, things like that. But we will be running the whole team together and working in concert with one another. But that’s sort of the general division of management duties.”

“I think that Jared is very tremendously experienced in those areas, very successful in those areas. I think he’s better than I am in those areas. And this will also allow, hopefully, the club to leverage me a little bit better and allow me to spend more of my time on the acquisition side of things.”

That’s a big job ahead of Banner. The responsibilities being handed to him are in many of the areas in which the Orioles have struggled under Elias. And he is taking it on with just about a month before the current CBA expires. Without a new deal, clubs and players on the 40-man roster cannot communicate. So, any sort of offseason training will need to be mapped out ahead of time. No matter how experienced the new GM may be, that is a lot to sort out in just a few weeks.

It is possible that additional shakeups will be coming in the organization’s player development structure, though nothing was revealed on that front. Obviously, Matt Blood, the team’s former vice president of player and staff development, left the organization last month. Banner seems to be coming in, absorbing Blood’s old responsibilities, and likely taking on a few more.

Elias said a few weeks ago that he expected to expand the front office this offseason. Adding Banner while losing Blood would not seem to represent an expansion itself, so something more could be coming. Whether that means allowing Banner to fill out a bigger developmental staff, or if Elias himself gets more deputies on the player acquisition side. It remains to be seen.

No conclusions can be made about Banner or the decision to hire him. Many in the fan base think the clube needs someone other than Elias to lead them. Clearly, ownership disagrees. At the very least, it is good that the Orioles identified weaknesses. They believe that Banner can help solve them. Whether that is true or not won’t be evident until the team starts playing baseball again. Right now, we don’t know when that will be.

Links

Banner excited to be new O’s GM: ‘We’re going to build a winner’ | Orioles.com
The American League is ripe for a team to rise above the mediocrity. If the Orioles are as talented as they seem to think they are, there is no reason it can’t be them.

Jared Banner is here to kickstart Orioles’ player development, plus other takeaways | The Banner
More on how Elias’ and Banner’s roles will differ. It is a little reminiscent of The Office arch where Michael and Jim become co-managers. Michael handles the “big picture” plans while Jim handles the “day-to-day” items. It won’t be as funny if it doesn’t work out for the Orioles.

Orioles Notes: Front Office, Rotation | MLB Trade Rumors
Elias says, once again, that the rotation is a priority going into the offseason. It is true that every team wants more starting pitching. But it is a tad annoying that the Orioles are trying to find an ace or ace-adjacent arm every single winter. If you have to say you’re looking for that kind of player every year then you failed to find them the previous year.

Some leftovers on Banner’s hiring as Orioles general manager | Roch Kubatko
Banner is saying all of the right things as he steps into this new role. He has a positive outlook. He seems excited to be hear. And his resumé speaks for itself.

Orioles birthdays

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

• Corban Joseph turns 38 today. The utility man played for five teams across parts of three big league seasons. That included a 14-game stay with the Orioles in 2018.
• Nate McLouth is 45 years old. Signed in the middle of the 2012 season, McLouth stepped right into the Orioles left field role and help the organization back to the playoffs for the first time since 1997. He stuck around for 2013, where he was worth 1.9 bWAR.
• Juan Guzmán is 60 today. The Orioles acquired him from the Blue Jays at the 1998 trade deadline. Over the next year he made 32 starts and was then traded to the Reds at the 1999 trade deadline. That swap with the Reds would land reliever B.J. Ryan in Baltimore, where he would develop into one of baseball’s better closers.
• Bob Melvin is 65 years old. The former catcher had a three-seasons stint in Baltimore from 1989-91. He may be better known by modern fans as a manager, a role he held for several clubs between 2003 and 2025.
• The late Sammy Stewart (b. 1954, d. 2018) was born on this day. He was an important member of the Orioles pitching staff from 1978 through ‘85. In that eight-year span he threw 866 innings, a mix between the rotation and the bullpen, and even led the league in ERA (2.32) in 1981.

This day in O’s history

Nothing of note has happened in Orioles history, according to Baseball Reference. So, here are a few things that have occurred outside of Birdland:

1886 – The Statue of Liberty is dedicated by President Grover Cleveland.

1919 – U.S. Congress passes the Volstead Act over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto. This paves the way for Prohibition to begin the following January.

1942 – The Alaska Highway first connects Alaska to the North American railway network at Dawson Creek in Canada.

Milwaukee tried their best to secure the first World Series sweep since the 2012 San Fransisco Giants bested the Detroit Tigers, but it was to no avail. After 12 long innings the Rays came away with their first win in this Fall Classic, and their first World Series win in the Trop since 2008. Now they’ll have to reset and do it all over again or their season will end all the same, but either way this will be the last game Tropicana Field sees in 2026. It’ll be ace against ace, with Jacob Misiorowski squaring off against Drew Rasmussen, who is getting the ball on short rest after the Rays used Nick Martinez just to survive in Game 4.

Matt will take you through all the twists and turns of Game 4 in the Roundup to start the day, and then he’ll return to give out a report card to John Schreiber and his fine work in the month and change the Yankees had him for. Jonathan takes us back to the days of Joe Page and the late 40s Yankees for our latest birthday, and then later in the day Peter takes a stab at responding to some offseason keys for the Yankees to follow.

Today’s Playoff Matchup:

World Series Game 5
(Brewers lead 3-1)

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Milwaukee Brewers
(RHP Drew Rasmussen vs. RHP Jacob Misiorowski)

Time: 8:00 p.m. EST

TV: FOX/FOX One/Fox Deportes

Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

Questions/Prompts:

1. Was Tampa’s 12th inning victory in Game 4 a last gasp or can they push this series back to Milwaukee?

2. What does The Miz have in store for what will likely be his last impact on this postseason run? (Barring a Game 7 relief appearance or something crazy.)

The Pittsburgh Pirates made an offseason change to the coaching staff, hiring former Houston Astro pitching coach Sean Buchanan, according to The Athletic.

The Astros are losing Triple-A pitching coach Sean Buchanan to the Pittsburgh Pirates, sources tell @TheAthletic. Buchanan’s exact role is still being determined, but he will reunite with longtime Astros pitching coach Bill Murphy in Pittsburgh.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 27, 2026

The Bucs will reportedly use Buchanan in the upper levels of the Minor Leagues, which would make sense with Buchanan coming over from Triple-A in the Astros program. There with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, Buchanan helped lead the team to the fewest runs allowed in the league, with the third-lowest ERA at 4.97, along with the lowest BAA at .248, and they had nine shutouts, the most in the PCL.

During his five years with the Astros organization, he’s also spent time with Double-A Corpus Christi in 2024, High-A Asheville in 2023 and Astros Blue in 2022. Before that, he also spent some time with Lehigh, Albright College, Bard College, SUNY New Paltz, DeSales University, and Ave Maria University.

Buchanan comes with a good reputation and this is considered a bit of a steal for the Bucs for their Minor League system. And the Bucs must like what they see in the Astros system, taking their second coach from Houston in as many years after Bill Murphy came to Pittsburgh last year.

Nevertheless, the Bucs have a strong pitching staff at both the Major and Minor League levels, so it’s understandable why it’s an attractive job. And keep an eye on Buchanan in the Minors next year. We could end up seeing him in the Majors at some point.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: After a dominant end to a dominant season, Cam Schlittler will be receiving the 2026 American League Cy Young Award, and although it’s unlikely he will be the first pitcher to take home MVP honors since Clayton Kershaw in 2014, he has a good shot at being named one of the three finalists. He will not be the only Yankee with a chance at bringing home hardware, however: Ben Rice is a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award and will presumably be a Silver Slugger finalist, Cody Bellinger has already been named the recipient of the 2026 Fielding Bible Award for left field and is one of the three Gold Glove finalists in left, David Bednar and Brent Headrick will be on the short list for reliever of the year, and both Paul Blackburn and Gerrit Cole have outside shots to be Comeback Player of the Year. Even with Aaron Judge missing most of the season, the Bronx will get to celebrate some personal accomplishments this year.

ESPN | Jorge Posada: While a guest on a New York Post podcast, former Yankees catcher Jorge Posada expressed a belief that the Yankees organization does not want him around — a belief that appears to date back to 2011, when the team moved him out from behind the plate and utilized him almost exclusively as a part-time designated hitter. Throughout the interview, he also discussed the Yankees’ postseason woes, his time in the Marlins front office and as the Team Italy bench coach during the World Baseball Classic, and his belief that his “no-nonsense approach” could prevent him from pursuing a coaching career in Major League Baseball.

The Athletic | Jim Bowden: (subscription required) With the offseason imminently upon us, sportswriters everywhere have begun to project how they think the winter will go. Here, former general manager Jim Bowden breaks down the top 40 free agents. He believes that the Yankees will be in on Japanese star third baseman Teruaki Sato, engaging with the Red Sox in a bidding war, expects Bednar and Blackburn to remain in the Bronx, and sees Ryan Jeffers as a realistic possibility.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Tampa Bay Rays, in the euphoria of their clubhouse Tuesday night, are aware of baseball history.

They know that no team in World Series history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.

They know that no team trailing 3 games to 0 has ever forced a Game 6, let alone a Game 7.

They also know that well, it’s actually possible.

The 2004 Boston Red Sox proved it.

That’s the only time in baseball history that a team came back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series, and prevailed, with the Red Sox stunning the New York Yankees with four consecutive victories, enroute to their first World Series championship in 86 years.

The Rays are hoping to become the sequel.

The Rays, three outs away from extinction, stayed alive Tuesday night in an electrifying 4-3, 12-inning comeback victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

They still are facing an uphill battle, of course, trailing 3-1 and have to face Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

But they have a prayer.

Yep, just like that ’04 Red Sox team, who ironically, stayed alive with a 12-inning victory over the Yankees when they were trailing, 3-0, too.

So why not repeat history?

“In this game, anything can switch really quick," Rays catcher Liam Hicks said. “It’s baseball. You know, they beat us, they killed us, they embarrassed us [Monday in a 10-1 defeat]. And then we were able to flip the script.

“Hopefully, we can use the momentum, because anything can happen."

Oh, how the Rays proved it on this night.

They had been shut out by the Brewers’ vaunted bullpen for eight innings. They had only two hits after the fourth inning. And the Brewers finally took the lead, 3-2, when 22-year-old rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt hit a leadoff homer in the top of the 12th.

“I mean, that homer was definitely a gut punch," Hicks said.

The homer had the Brewers just three outs away from their first World Series title in 57 years.

The World Series trophy was brought downstairs. Carts of champagne and beer were wheeled into the Brewers’ clubhouse. The plastic lining was going to protect the Brewers’ lockers. Commissioner Rob Manfred was getting set for a trophy presentation.

And then, it happened.

Junior Caminero, leading off the 12^th, hit a routine grounder to sure-handed third baseman Joey Ortiz. He threw the ball into the dirt, skipping past first baseman Jake Bauers.

“No excuse," Ortiz said. “Not one at all. I should make that play every (expletive) time."

The door was open.

“You see a window like that," Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson said, “you definitely want to take advantage of it."

The Rays did just that.

“You’ve got to take advantage when they make an error like that," Hicks said. “We weren’t ready to go home yet."

Hicks slapped a single to left field off rookie reliever Shane Drohan, with pinch-runner Cedric Mullins scampering to third base. Jonny DeLuca followed with a single up the middle past a drawn-in infield, tying the game. Simpson, after trying to bunt, then slapped a single to center, loading the bases.

“This team is definitely built on putting the ball in play," Rays backup catcher Nick Fortes, who pinch-ran for Hicks in the 12^th, said. “That’s what we do, and that’s what they do. They create a lot of pressure on the defense. They create chaos, and so do we."

Oh, did they ever, with pinch-hitter Ben Williamson hitting a chopper over Bauers’ head into right field for the game-winner.

It was the first pinch-hit, walk-off since Gene Larkin’s game-winner in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series for the Minnesota Twins.

“It’s what you dream of growing up," Williamson said. “You play wiffle ball in the backyard with your friends and you're dreaming of hitting a walk-off ball in the World Series.’’

The sellout crowd of 40,514 screamed, and at the same time, groaned, with the stadium largely full of Brewers’ fans.

“It’s electric either way,’’ DeLuca said. “We had a sold-out crowd, and being able to play on this field, after everything we’ve been through, and sold out, regardless of what fans are in here it’s pretty fun.’’

Just like that, the script dramatically flipped, becoming only the fourth game in World Series history that a team staved off elimination with an extra-inning victory.

Can the Rays possibly pull this off?

“One-hundred percent," Caminero said.

Why?

“Because," he said, “we’re the best team in the American League."

To win the World Series, of course, would be historic. The Brewers have 113 victories in 2026 for a reason. They would have to lose four consecutive games, which hasn’t happened since April. Maybe, the Rays say, they’re due.

“It's a pretty cool position we're in,’’ DeLuca said, “and it's a special opportunity that we have. So, we're just going to take it one day at a time and just be in the moment. We love the spot we're in, and we’re ready to take on the challenge.’’

Let’s be honest, the Brewers are sitting awfully pretty. They’ve got The Miz in Game 5. They’ve got a tired, but still vaunted bullpen. And even if they happened to lose Game 5, the next two games would be in Milwaukee, a house of horrors for visiting teams.

Besides, the Brewers never thought it was going to be easy, anyway. The Rays won 98 games during the season. They won the AL East going away. And except for the Game 3 blowout, every game has gone down to the last out with the tying run on base.

“I think the guys understand it's going to be hard," Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “You're playing the best team in the American League. They proved it all year long, and they came up big today.

“When you're achieving something like this, it's going to have its adversity. We had some things go our way [Monday]. They had some things go their way today. That's the way it is. You just live with it, and if you're a competitor, you wake up [Wednesday] morning and come ready to play.’’

Still, they’ll wake up with some pain. To be so close, with the World Series stage ready to be wheeled onto the field, with the World Series parade already being planned for Friday, it was excruciating.

Rays starter Nick Martinez, who pitched two shutout innings in relief, remembers pitching for the Texas Rangers’ instructional league team after being drafted in 2011. He was in Arizona with his teammates watching the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. They were one strike away, twice, from winning the World Series in Game 6. They lost 10-9, in 11 innings, a game that became known simply as the David Freese game. They lost again in Game 7. The Rangers didn’t win the World Series for another dozen years.

“Got to just keep fighting," Martinez said, “one day at a time. One pitch at a time. One inning at a time.’’

In the famous words of former pitcher Joaquin Andujar: “You can sum up baseball in one word: you never know."

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can Tampa Bay Rays do the unthinkable? World Series comeback would be unparalleled

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Cooper Pratt knew it was gone. Joey Ortiz did too.

Pratt led off the 12th inning of Game 4 on Tuesday night by driving Ian Seymour's pitch deep into the left-center field stands, putting the Brewers a half-inning away from the franchise’s first ever World Series title.

About 20 minutes later however, Pratt was consoling Ortiz in a quiet Brewers clubhouse.

The Tampa Bay Rays scored twice in the bottom of the 12th without making an out and won Game 4, 4-3. The rally started when Ortiz bounced the throw to first on Junior Caminero’s groundball.

Ortiz didn't hide from it.

"There's no excuse," Ortiz said. "Not one at all. I should make that play every (bleeping) time."

Pratt found him afterward. His advice was short and sweet.

"Flush it," Pratt said. "I've made about seven of them this postseason. So what? Next pitch.

“And next pitch is tomorrow.”

For the Brewers,  a team that had lost just once all October, they spent the early hours of Wednesday morning trying to treat this loss like any other. They did not want to talk about being three outs from celebrating a World Series title.

"It can be (difficult), but if you don't let it, then you can just come back ready to play tomorrow," Ortiz said. "It's a new game."

Pratt had his own play he wanted to flush. He was thrown out trying to steal second in the ninth after the Rays challenged the safe call and won.

"I didn't think he touched me," he said. "I saw the video. It looked like in the video that I was touched. I couldn't feel it. He probably did."

Then he moved on, which seemed to be the point.

"I think a loss is a loss," Pratt said. "Losing by 10 runs is the same as losing by one run in the 12th. It's over. It's done with."

Joey Ortiz reflects on the costly error in the Brewers' Game 4 loss pic.twitter.com/mRMr9TLzhu

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 28, 2026

Milwaukee still leads the series 3-1. And the Brewers didn't think they played badly so much as unluckily. They hit the ball hard all night. Much of it went right at Rays fielders. William Contreras, Christian Yelich, Jake Bauers and Brice Turang went a combined 0-for-21.

"We hit a ton of balls hard today that just went right to people," Pratt said. "Nobody said this was going to be easy. They're a really good team. They've proven that all year."

The Rays will be scratching together pitching on Wednesday after using Nick Martinez in relief Tuesday night. The Brewers have the luxury of sending out their ace.

Jacob Misiorowski will start Game 5 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. He won Game 1 and led the majors this season with a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts.

And history is on the Brewers’ side.

Every team that has led a World Series 3-0 has gone on to win it. That's 25 for 25. The Brewers are just the fifth to let Game 4 get away.

They are confident they will flush it and get back on track.

“When you're achieving something like this, it's going to have its adversity. We had some things go our way yesterday. They had some things go their way today. That's the way it is,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said.

“You just live with it, and if you're a competitor, you wake up tomorrow morning and come ready to play.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Milwaukee Brewers were three outs from a title. Now they need to 'flush it'

It was a 12-inning bout that left both teams staggered, their best relievers drained for multiple innings, All-Stars hobbling off the field, utility infielders playing hero.

And by the end, this World Series looked a lot closer than it did when the night began.

Oh, the Milwaukee Brewers still hold a 3-1 Series lead even after the Tampa Bay Rays got on the board with a 4-3, extra-inning Game 4 triumph after the Brewers were just three outs from clinching their first championship in franchise history.

They’ve got three to win one, odds that any desperate celebrity shilling for a prediction market would surely take. But in a Series that would likely be defined by the performance of its relievers, significant bullpen resources were expended on both sides in a Game 4 that began Tuesday, Oct. 28 and bled into Wednesday.

The Brewers will have just one advantage heading into Game 5: Jacob Misiorowski.

And it’s safe to say they need The Miz more than ever.

He pitched solidly in Game 1, going five innings and striking out just three, a K-rate that might raise eyebrows for a guy who throws 103 mph. Yet five innings is a marathon in this postseason context. Misiorowski did great.

Now, the Brewers will ask him to get out of his comfort zone.

Misiorowski, who led the major leagues with 252 strikeouts, typically gets an extra day or two of rest, the better to conserve his otherworldly arm. He’s still just 24, his odometer is already in uncharted territory at 187 total innings and, since this is a one-time bullet, you want to fire it at an optimal moment.

Four solid innings would typically be fine. But when the Brewers fly back to Milwaukee, they don't want to play more baseball; they want the Commissioner’s Trophy strapped safely into a seat on the team charter.

And Miz is the only man who can prevent Game 5 from becoming a battle of attrition.

Consider the workloads of both teams’ high-leverage guys in Game 4:

Brewers October hero Aaron Ashby pitched 2 ⅓ innings. Dominant Abner Uribe tossed two innings. Lefty DL Hall went 1 ⅓ innings. And swingman Dustin May opened up with three innings. Closer Trevor Megill only got one out, so he’s good to go – yet it’s clear Ashby has supplanted him atop the Brewers’ relief trust tree.

The Rays are similarly diminished: Closer Bryan Baker pitched two innings for the first time since 2024. Game 1 starter Nick Martinez came back on three days’ rest to toss two innings. Set-up man Tyler Wells got five outs. Kevin Kelly pitched for the third time in this Series.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said the club will “huddle” to determine a pitching plan. Like the Brewers, they face a brutal decision involving an ace accustomed to extra race.

In Game 5, they’d be asking Drew Rasmussen to be starting on short rest. Absolutely not what you want – especially for a right-hander who’s endured three major arm surgeries.

But the options are thin.

“We're going to need everybody. We're going to need to be all hands on deck,” says Cash in his postgame press conference.

So imagine Freddy Peralta, on just a days’ rest, giving them an inning. Martinez on back-to-back nights? Might be a little crazy. You know Baker and Wells will be down for the cause, and lower-leverage lefties Steven Matz and Garrett Cleavinger will have to steal some outs.

Yeah, that’s the wounded animal the Brewers are facing. All the more reason the 6-7 Misiorowski must be a menace.

That hasn’t been the case every time out this October. He’s allowed 18 baserunners in 13 ⅓ innings and was chased after getting just 12 and 13 outs in his first two starts. World Series Game 1 Misiorowski will do.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy certainly hopes to see that guy.

“You can write it up and hope that they perform like the back of their baseball card, but that doesn't always happen. You go with what you believe is the deal,” says Murphy in naming Misiorowski his starter.

“I trust our guys. I trust them.”

And the task for The Miz is simple: End the Rays. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: With Brewers holding ace, Jacob Misiorowski must put Rays out of misery