The small-market Milwaukee Brewers have captured their first World Series title in franchise history by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. Led by young ace Jacob Misiorowski and rookie standout Cooper Pratt, the victory capped off a remarkable 58th season for the franchise and sparked massive celebrations among traveling fans in St. Petersburg, Florida.
A Historic Victory for Milwaukee
Playing in the smallest market in the majors, the Brewers completed a dominant run to baseball's ultimate prize. Christian Yelich, the team's captain, expressed the overwhelming emotion of the achievement after the final out was recorded.
"It's the best feeling ever. All of our fans are here. I know the city's waited a long, long time for this," Christian Yelich said. "We're so happy to bring it home to them. I can't wait to get back there and celebrate."
The championship erases the heartbreak of the franchise's only previous World Series appearance in 1982, when the team blew a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning of Game 7 to lose to the St. Louis Cardinals. This time, guided by 67-year-old manager Pat Murphy, the squad finished what the legendary Harvey Kuenn crew could not accomplish 44 years ago.
Key Performances on the Mound and at the Plate
Jacob Misiorowski delivered a stellar performance on Wednesday, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits before exiting due to a right calf cramp. The 24-year-old right-hander previously made headlines by throwing a 103.5 mph fastball on the first pitch of the series, breaking the World Series velocity record.
Rookie Cooper Pratt continued his historic postseason run, securing two hits and two RBIs in Game 5. Cooper Pratt set a Series rookie record with six straight hits before hitting a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
- Jacob Misiorowski: 5 2/3 scoreless innings, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts before leaving with a calf cramp.
- Cooper Pratt: Two hits and two RBIs, setting a rookie record with six consecutive Series hits.
- William Contreras: Named World Series MVP, contributing an RBI double in Game 5.
- Trevor Megill: Pitched the final two innings, sealing the championship despite allowing a ninth-inning RBI double to Chandler Simpson.
Overcoming Adversity Under Manager Pat Murphy
The championship run capped a stellar year for Pat Murphy, who won NL Manager of the Year in his first two full seasons at the helm in 2024 and 2025. Pat Murphy survived a heart attack in 2020 and built a tight-knit club that prioritized collective success over individual statistics.
"This group of guys right here, the 2026 team, will be remembered forever — and they deserve that because they were a team," Pat Murphy said. "They're not worried about their own stats. No one cares about that. They care about coming together and winning tonight."
The Brewers finished the regular season leading the majors with 103 wins and went 11-2 in the postseason, including a sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. Meanwhile, the Rays dropped to 0-3 all-time in World Series appearances, joining the Brooklyn Dodgers and Detroit Tigers as the only clubs to lose their first three Fall Classic trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Game 5 of the World Series?
The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field to clinch the championship.
Who was named the World Series MVP?
William Contreras earned World Series MVP honors, highlighted by an RBI double in the decisive Game 5 victory.
When was the last time the Milwaukee Brewers reached the World Series?
The franchise's only previous World Series appearance occurred in 1982, when they lost in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals.