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.
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.
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.
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.
The day has come. The Connor Hellebuyck saga in Winnipeg has finally come to an end. The three-time Vezina trophy winner is on the move. The lucky team?
Nick Bjugstad was a part of the deal that included Alexander Command, Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, a 2027 seventh-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.
The trade comes at the end of the suspension by the Jets for failing to report to training camp ahead of the season. He forfeited $927,835.05 in salary over his 24-day suspension.
Bjugstad, 34, has been on the long-term injury reserve to start the season. He was acquired by the Devils last year before the trade deadline.
The former Wild center spent two seasons in Minnesota where he recorded 13 goals, 17 assists and 30 points in 101 games.
The 6-foot-6 forward from Minneapolis, Minnesota, has 163 goals, 176 assists and 339 points in 821 career NHL games.
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COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 4: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets skates on the ice during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on April 4, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NHLI via Getty Images
Connor Hellebuyck finally has a new home after the Winnipeg Jets granted the three-time Vezina Trophy winning goaltender’s trade request in a deal that sent him to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
The Devils sent center Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, prospect Alexander Command, forward Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-rounder to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck.
The long-awaited trade ends months of speculation, a failed bid to move the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winner and 2024-25 NHL MVP in June, and the Jets’ suspension of Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp in a standoff that required the involvement of the league and the Players’ Association.
The 33-year-old Hellebuyck, who backstopped the U.S. to Olympic gold at the Milan-Cortina Games in February, leaves Winnipeg after spending his entire 11-year career there. Hellebuyck joins Jack Hughes, who scored in overtime of the final to defeat Canada, with the Devils and immediately puts them closer to being a Stanley Cup contender.
When training camp opened, new Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said he was very comfortable with the team’s goaltending situation. Since then, Jake Allen and Nico Daws have combined for an .880 save percentage, which ranks 23rd among 32 teams.
It was not immediately clear how soon Hellebuyck might be ready to play for his new team. He has been skating in his home state of Michigan while trade talks were ongoing.
Hellebuyck has five seasons left on a seven-year contact with an annual salary cap hit of $8.5 million.
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.
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brandon Woodruff has made the Milwaukee Brewers’ World Series roster without having pitched in a game over the last 3½ months.
Woodruff took the place of Chad Patrick on Milwaukee’s 13-man pitching staff as the Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays submitted their World Series rosters Friday before playing Game 1 in Milwaukee.
This is the latest step in a remarkable comeback for Woodruff, a two-time All-Star who had expected to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery this past summer. Instead, the 33-year-old gets a chance to pitch in the World Series for the first time.
“It would mean a ton,” Woodruff said Thursday about the possibility of being on the World Series roster. “This is why I play. The playoffs are my jam, per se. I love this time of year. I love pitching in the big moments. I just kind of feel like I’m ready for this.”
He expected to undergo anterior capsule surgery, a procedure similar to one he had three years ago. Woodruff then learned the surgery wouldn’t be necessary, and he has been trying to work his way back ever since in hopes of pitching again in October.
Woodruff said he felt good after throwing 23 pitches in a live batting practice session Tuesday. Even so, this move represents a major gamble.
This move represents a gamble for the Brewers.
A club may request permission from the commissioner to replace a player on the active roster for the remainder of a series if he sustains an “acute, non-chronic injury or ailment (not recurring soreness over time).” That means the Brewers couldn’t have somebody fill Woodruff’s spot if they include him on the roster and he has a recurrence of the shoulder issue.
Woodruff’s 3.10 career ERA is the best in Brewers history for anyone who has pitched at least 500 innings for the team. Even while dealing with his drops in velocity this season, Woodruff went 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA in nine starts.
He has a 1-3 record and 3.18 ERA in eight career playoff appearances.
Although the Brewers have reached the postseason eight times in the last nine seasons, Woodruff’s last playoff appearance came way back in 2021 because of a variety of injuries. He underwent shoulder surgery in the fall of 2023 and didn’t pitch again until July 2025. A lat strain prevented him from pitching in last year’s playoffs.
“Obviously this is a guy that’s one of the most successful, dominant big-game pitchers I’ve ever been around,” Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold said Thursday while discussing the uncertainty regarding Woodruff’s situation. “And there are also some rule constraints that we’re having to work through with the health, et cetera, that have to be a consideration because he hasn’t pitched in a game since July 4. A lot of unknowns there, but obviously the good version of that guy is somebody you’d love to have on your roster.”
Patrick had been on Milwaukee’s roster for their NL Division Series victory over the San Diego Padres and their NL Championship Series sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he hadn’t pitched in either series. Patrick went 9-4 with a 3.40 ERA during the regular season.
Tampa Bay altered its pitching roster by including left-hander Garrett Cleavinger rather than right-hander Brody Hopkins. The Rays have the same roster they used for their AL Division Series victory over the New York Yankees.
Hopkins had taken Cleavinger’s spot for Tampa Bay’s AL Championship Series matchup with the Cleveland Guardians. Although Cleavinger was on the ALDS roster, he didn’t actually pitch in that series.
On Friday morning, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was the first to report that the New Jersey Devils were working with the Winnipeg Jets on a potential deal to bring 33-year-old goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey.
Sources: New Jersey and Winnipeg are working on a Connor Hellebuyck deal.
Hellebuyck, who helped lead the U.S. men’s hockey team to Olympic gold in February alongside Devils star forward Jack Hughes, requested a trade from Winnipeg this summer and did not report to training camp in September. His suspension for failing to report was set to expire Friday, Oct. 23.
In the afternoon, it was reported that in return New Jersey sent 24-year-old versatile foward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, 2026 12th overall pick Alexander Command, veteran forward Nick Bjugstad, a second round draft pick in 2029, and seventh round pick in 2027 to Winnipeg.
Last season, Mercer spoke with The Hockey News about the seemingly never-ending trade rumors that had followed his name.
“It has honestly been for a few years now, different trades, but that stuff is white noise,” he said back in January. “It doesn't matter. I don't really pay much attention to that stuff. That is all stuff out of your control. I come in here, try to get better every day, and help the team win. I love it here, so it is coming in and going out there every day with the guys.”
Mercer made his NHL debut with the Devils on Oct 15, 2021. He appeared in 410 consecutive games over the next five seasons, collecting 209 points (103 goals, 106 assists). He broke Scott Gomez's Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts record when he played his 141st consecutive game to start an NHL career at Prudential Center on Feb. 25, 2023.
Selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Hellebuyck has spent his entire 11-season NHL career with the Jets. Winnipeg reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in seven of those seasons, making its deepest run in 2017-18, when it advanced to the Western Conference Final before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Individually, Hellebuyck has earned three Vezina Trophies as the NHL’s top goaltender and one Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the league’s most valuable player.
The 33-year-old Michigan native is in the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
New Jersey opened the 2026-27 season with Jake Allen, 36, and 25-year-old Daws sharing goaltending duties. The duo has helped the Devils to a 6-4-0 record through 10 games, good for 12 points and the Eastern Conference's second wild-card spot, behind the Toronto Maple Leafs. Additionally, Mehta claimed netminder Rémi Poirier off waivers from the Dallas Stars in late September.
The Devils are scheduled to face the Jets in Winnipeg for the first time this season on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
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MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 22: Nick Martinez #28 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during the 2026 World Series workout day and media availability at American Family Field on Thursday, October 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The time has finally arrived.
The Tampa Bay Rays will take on the Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of the 2026 World Series tonight at American Family Field with the first pitch slated for just after 8:00.
A benefit of the series happening between Tampa Bay and Milwaukee is that weather will not play a factor with Milwaukee sporting a retactable roof and the playing under the domed confines of Tropicana Field, so a replay of the 2008 World Series is impossible. These games will 100% be determined by the skill of the players on the field and not by the elements
On Thursday afternoon, Kevin Cash mad the somewhat suprising announcement that All-Star Nick Martinez would be taking the mound for Tampa Bay in game one while Cy Young hopeful Jacob Misiorowski will go to the rubber for Milwaukee.
The 36-year old Martinez joined the Rays just prior to the start of Spring Training, signing a 1-year deal. Martinez signed with Tampa Bay partly due to his desire for a spot in the starting rotation and the Rays were happy to oblige. Over the course of the regular season, Martinez showcased that he was capable of being a solid member of a starting rotation, providing the Rays with an All-Star campaign, compiling a 3.10 ERA | 3.96 FIP with a 15.1 K% and MLB leading 3.6 BB%.
Martinez has made only two appearances in the postseason thus far. He took the mound for game three of the ALDS against the New York Yankees and then again for game four of the ALCS, meaning he has only pitched three times over the past month (last regular season appearance was on September 27th).
It’s fitting that the Tampa Bay Rays will have to face perhaps the toughest pitcher in all of baseball for the first game of the World Series.
24-year old Jacob Misiorowski has been absolutely electric for the Brewers since reaching the big leagues last June. The start of his MLB career was so incredible that he was named to the All-Star game with only a few weeks of big league experience under his belt. The league learned his ways and Misiorowski struggled down the stretch in 2025 as the rookie had to adjust to figure out MLB lineups.
The adjustment was made in 2026 and it led to Misiorowksi becoming the best starting pitcher in all of baseball. Overall, Misiorowski compiled a 1.80 ERA | 2.17 FIP with a 37.9 K% & 6.6 BB% over 174.2 IP.
At the end of the 2026 regular season, Misiorowksi led all pitchers* in ERA, FIP, K%, K-BB%, AVG, WHIP, and Sierra; he should be unanimously named the Cy Young award winner.
*minimum of 100 IP
It will be an incredibly tough matchup for the Rays but there are signs that Misiorowski might be tiring. Misiorowski has made two appearances for Milwaukee thus far in the postseason, and his walks are up and strikeouts are down from the regular season. Thus far over his two outings, Misiorowski has a 3.24 ERA | 1.90 FIP with a 29.7 K% & 10.8 BB% over 8.1 IP.
Misiorowski’s calling card is his elite fastball that he routinely pumps in at triple digits. The Rays have struggled against high velocity all season long and it was evident during the ALCS that the Guardians were challenging the Rays key offensive players with velocity above the zone. The Rays were able to disrupt that strategy later on in the series, but no one on the Guardians staff had a fastball like Misiorowski.
For the pregame festivities, the Brewers will have franchise legend and MLB Hall of Famer Robin Yount, as well as former team owner and MLB commisioner Bud Selig, throw out the ceremonial first pitches, while four-time GRAMMY nominee Mickey Guyton will sing the National Anthem.
The St. Louis Blues defeated the Vegas Golden Knights by a 6-2 final score on Thursday night.
Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Justin Barron played a major role in the Blues' win, as he had a monster game.
Barron scored a goal and recorded four points in the Blues' victory against the Golden Knights. With this, the former Canadiens defenseman had a game that he will remember for a long time.
After this impressive performance, Barron now has one goal and five points in seven games this season. This is after he had zero goals and nine assists in 52 games with the Nashville Predators this past campaign.
The Blues claimed Barron off waivers from the Predators ahead of the 2026-27 season. Clearly, after this game, St. Louis must be happy that they took a chance on the former Canadiens defenseman.
Barron spent four seasons with the Canadiens from 2021-22 to 2024-25. In 109 games with the Habs over that span, he posted 13 goals, 18 assists, 31 points, 131 hits, and a minus-11 rating.
Barron's time with the Canadiens ended when he was traded to the Predators in the deal that brought defenseman Alexandre Carrier to Montreal. This is a trade that has aged excellently for the Canadiens.
CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt dispelled speculation about his future, saying he’ll return to the club next season to chase an elusive World Series title.
“I’m here,” Vogt said at a news conference Thursday. “I’m coming back.”
Vogt has led the Guardians to a division crown in each of his three seasons, He has twice been named AL Manager of the Year. With the Seattle Mariners’ managerial spot open, there had been rumblings about Vogt possibly leaving in order to be closer to his family’s home in Olympia, Washington.
However, the 41-year-old Vogt said he has not been contacted by the Mariners, who fired Dan Wilson last month following a disappointing 76-86 season.
Vogt spent one season as Seattle’s bullpen coach in 2023 before being hired by Cleveland and that relationship helped fuel theories about a departure.
“I’ll be in Cleveland,” Vogt said three days after the Guardians were eliminated in the AL Championship Series by Tampa Bay. “I have not gotten a phone call. It was all just media (driven).”
While Vogt is adamant he’s staying, it remains possible the Mariners could call the Guardians with a trade offer. Though rare, trades involving managers in Major League Baseball are not unprecedented, with the most recent involving John Farrell going from Boston to Toronto in 2012.
Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti was asked about a potential pitch from the Mariners.
“I have every expectation that Voter is going to manage here for a really long time,” Antonetti said, using Vogt’s nickname. “We don’t have any interest in Voter managing anywhere else.”
Vogt signed a multiyear contract extension with Cleveland following the 2024 season. That deal was never made public and the club’s secrecy about the contract’s terms may have played a part in the rumors about a move.
A father of three, Vogt has been open about the difficulty in being away from his loved ones over an extended period. His wife, Alyssa, and their kids join him in the summer, but the months apart are hard on him.
“It’s not just since I’ve been here. This has been my whole playing career,” said Vogt, who played with six teams from 2012-2022. “It’s very difficult living on the other side of the country, especially with my kids’ age. My daughter’s in high school, my boys are starting to get older, their activities are going up, so it’s more challenging for them to get out here on a whim.
“But my wife’s incredible and she reminds me every day that I’m where I’m supposed to be and I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. And she jokes, ‘We don’t need you anyway.’ Not joking. It’s the worst part of my job.”
As for the job he did this season with Cleveland, Vogt deserves praise.
One of the league’s youngest teams, the Guardians regrouped from a sluggish first half and, bolstered by several trade deadline acquisitions, caught Chicago and won the division. They then rallied from a 0-2 deficit to stun the White Sox in the Division Series.
Cleveland’s magic disappeared against the Rays, extending baseball’s current longest World Series drought to 76 years.
Through it all, Vogt believed the ’26 Guardians would prevail.
“There was a belief that we were just going to do it,” he said. “We were never out of it. It wasn’t like ’25 where we did this historical comeback, needed a bunch of help. We controlled our destiny and we went out and grabbed it and took it.”
Vogt, Antonetti and general manager Mike Chernoff addressed several other topics, including:
— Pitching coach Carl Willis will return for a 15th season in two stints with Cleveland. Willis, 65, has helped develop five Cy Young winners during his career.
“He’s given a ton to this organization and is insanely competitive,” Antonetti said. “He really wants to win a World Series in Cleveland for Cleveland.”
— Vogt reiterated that the curious lack of postseason use for starter Tanner Bibee was because the team wanted to lean on its left-handed pitchers. Vogt said he spoke with an “upset” Bibee before Game 6 of the ALCS.
“We ended up talking about a lot more than just baseball and had a similar conversation in his exit interview,” Vogt said. “It was very candid. It was very open. He spoke his mind and we gave him our reasoning. Tanner’s going to be a huge part of this team for a long time and I’m really excited about that.”
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 22: Brandon Woodruff #53 of the Milwaukee Brewers speaks to media at a press conference during a workout day prior to game on of the 2026 World Series between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The World Series is here!
It’s been over a week since the Brewers dispatched the Dodgers in the NLCS. Since then, we’ve watched the Rays defeat the Guardians for the American League pennant and done plenty of speculation about whether Brandon Woodruff would be healthy enough to make the Brewers’ World Series roster.
Woodruff, whose season appeared over after he exited his last start on July 4th with a new injury to his already surgically repaired shoulder, has gotten surprisingly close to game-shape. After it was determined that his shoulder did not need surgery as originally anticipated, Woodruff opened the door to a late October return. During the NLCS, he threw a bullpen session. Earlier this week, he faced live hitters.
It wasn’t a straightforward decision, though. The league has rules about replacing players due to injury in the postseason, and per their rules, a player can only be replaced on the roster in the event of a new injury, meaning that if Woodruff were to pitch (or try to pitch) but reaggravate the shoulder, the league likely would not allow the Brewers to replace him. That would make the inclusion of him risky, as there would be a very real possibility that you’d be leaving yourself a man short.
It turns out that the Brewers were willing to take that risk.
Woodruff has made the Brewers’ World Series roster, at the expense of Chad Patrick, who was on the roster but did not pitch in either of the team’s first two series. Here is the full roster:
Brewers:
Catchers (2): William Contreras, Gary Sánchez
Infielders (6): Jake Bauers, David Hamilton, Joey Ortiz, Cooper Pratt, Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn
Outfielders/DH (5): Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Luis Lara, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich
Pitchers (13): Aaron Ashby (L), Shane Drohan (L), Robert Gasser (L), DL Hall (L), Kyle Harrison (L), Logan Henderson (R), Dustin May (R), Trevor Megill (R), Jacob Misiorowski (R), JoJo Romero (L), Antonio Senzatela (R), Abner Uribe (R), Brandon Woodruff (R)
On the position player side, there is, unsurprisingly, no change. There was perhaps a world in which the Brewers chose to go with Bo Naylor as a third catcher, which would free up Gary Sánchez for more pinch-hit duty, but Milwaukee has opted to stick with 13 pitchers.
Harrison, like Patrick, has been on the roster but hasn’t appeared in a game. Senzatela did not pitch in the NLCS, but had a couple of appearances against San Diego in the NLDS. Drohan had a shaky, short start in game four of the NLCS. Milwaukee has been leaning heavily on basically four pitchers in their bullpen: Megill, Uribe, Ashby, and Hall, with Romero playing a nice role as well. The Rays’ two best hitters are both right handed in Junior Caminero and Yandy Díaz, but they’ve got a couple of good lefties, too—Jonathan Aranda and Victor Mesa Jr.—so the Brewers will have to pick and choose how they play matchups in the bullpen.
Infielders (6): Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero, Jorge Mateo, Richie Palacios, Taylor Walls, Ben Williamson
Outfielders (5): Johnny DeLuca, Victor Mesa Jr., Cedric Mullins, Chandler Simpson, Ryan Vilade
Designated Hitter (1): Yandy Díaz
Pitchers (12): Bryan Baker (R), Cam Booser (L), Garrett Cleavinger (L), Griffin Jax (R), Kevin Kelly (R), Nick Martinez (R), Steven Matz (R), Freddy Peralta (R), Drew Rasmussen (R), Ian Seymour (L), Cole Sulser (R), Tyler Wells (R)
The Rays, on the other hand, have been using 12 pitchers the whole postseason, which continues in the World Series. In the ALCS, Tampa Bay had only two left-handed pitchers on the entire roster, but the Brewers match up well against right-handed pitching—they were second in the majors with a .759 OPS against righties, while they were 14th with a .706 OPS against lefties—so the Rays opted for an extra lefty in Garrett Cleavinger. Cleavinger didn’t have a great season, and he hasn’t pitched in a big-league game since early September; an injury kept him out of the season’s last month, though he was healthy enough to be on the ALDS roster but did not pitch. Cleavinger will, at least, take a little pressure off of Ian Seymour and Cam Booser, who we are likely to see a lot over the next week.
Beyond the Cleavinger/Hopkins switch, the Rays are going with the same roster they used in the ALCS.
ORCHARD PARK, NY - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck in the third period of the NHL Winter Classic against the Buffalo Sabres at the Ralph Wilson Stadium on January 1, 2008 in Orchard Park, New York. The Penguins won the game 2-1 in a shoot out. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Evgeni Malkin’s demeanor last night caught some attention on social media. Malkin barely celebrated scoring a goal, and didn’t emerge from the tunnel (as the standard to take a little lap on the ice and acknowledge the home crowd) when named one of the game’s three stars. That behavior could be explained by the news today Malkin would not practice due to an illness. Forward Egor Chinakhov, dealing with a lingering minor injury that’s had him in and out of the lineup over the last week, was also absent.
Forwards Egor Chinakhov (lower-body) and Evgeni Malkin (illness) will not practice today. pic.twitter.com/IgdUUOL1pp
Practice held some intrigue, the Penguins took to the ice in blue pants and helmets to work in their gear before the upcoming Hometown Remix altenate jerseys make their debut on the November 3rd home game against Vegas.
The text is believed to be a Caeser cypher message of: “What’s old is new”.
There have been a couple of conflicting images floating around social media. One is an Andy Warhol-inspired type of jersey that frankly looks a little too out there of a concept to be an actual NHL jersey.
There’s another rumored design where the Pens will use a retro logo of the ‘fat’ Penguin crest that the team used back in their inaugural 1967-68 season. That would be a fitting touch for the club now celebrating it’s 60th year. This might have more truth behind it than the Warhol design, being as the team is reportedly already selling the logo in their store on a hat.
with the #HometownRemix reveal just around the corner, here’s what we know so far…
Going back to that first logo certainly would fit the “What’s old is new” messaging.
Whether there’s an official reveal ahead of time or not, what we do know is that the Penguins will be back in blue jerseys for the first time since 2013 soon enough. They’re scheduled to wear these Hometown Remix jerseys ten times this season, in a couple weeks on November 3rd.
