The Phillies celebrate Zack Wheeler’s NL Comeback Player of the Year award as he rebounds after a tough season, while top prospect Aidan Miller returns pain‑free and thriving in the Arizona Fall League. The Inquirer’s ongoing series now examines the Phillies’ 2027 infield outlook. Elsewhere, MLB news notes Dodgers owner Mark Walter’s determination to keep the team amid a federal probe, and Japanese sluggers Teruaki Sato and Shugo Maki are poised to become high‑profile free agents this winter. Yankees legend Jorge Posada comments on the need for a strong coaching voice but feels unwelcome in New York.
The Milwaukee Brewers clinch their first World Series title in 57 years, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in five games after a 103‑win season. Milwaukee opens the series with a 3‑2 win in Game 1, highlighted by early hits from Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich, and a timely bullpen effort from Trevor Megill. The Brewers' relief corps posts a postseason 1.41 ERA, anchoring narrow victories, while the Rays’ offense struggles, going 0‑for‑6 with runners in scoring position. Key moments include a replay‑overturned double play and strong baserunning that helped the Brewers sweep the Dodgers in the NLCS and ultimately secure the championship.
Five active MLB teams still lack a World Series ring: the San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays. The Mariners are the only franchise never to win an American League pennant or reach the Fall Classic since 1977. The Padres (1984, 1998), Brewers (1982), Rockies (2007) and Rays (2008, 2020) have all appeared in the Series but fell short, with the Rays pushing the Dodgers to six games in the pandemic‑shortened 2020 season. The Padres and Brewers share the longest active droughts at 57 seasons, while the Rangers ended a 63‑year drought by winning in 2023.
Pat Murphy, the former Arizona State baseball coach, guides the Milwaukee Brewers to their first World Series title on October 29, 2026. The Brewers defeat the Tampa Bay Rays 4‑1 in Game 5 of a five‑game series, capping a 103‑win season that clinched the NL Central for the fourth straight year. Milwaukee’s playoff run included series wins over the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers. Murphy, who became manager in 2024 after a decade as bench coach, also earned NL Manager of the Year honors in 2024 and 2025, adding a World Series crown to his résumé that already features four Pac‑10 titles and four College World Series appearances at Arizona State.
The Milwaukee Brewers capture their first World Series title, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 on Oct. 29, 2026, after a five‑game series. Led by World Series MVP catcher William Contreras, the club capped an MLB‑high 103‑win season with dominant postseason play, including sweeps of the Dodgers and a tight Division Series win over the Padres. Pitching shines as Jacob Misiorowski earns a likely NL Cy Young, while Aaron Ashby posts a flawless 18‑inning stretch. The championship marks the franchise’s inaugural title in 58 years and the city’s first MLB crown since 1957.
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns flies to Japan immediately after the 2026 season to scout power hitter Teruaki Sato, signaling the club’s serious intent to add the Japanese slugger amid rumored competition from the Yankees. The Mets are also linked to former Dodgers starter Tarik Skubal and are targeting veteran rotation arms like Matthew Boyd, Joe Ryan and Reid Detmers, while exploring first‑base options such as Jake Bauers, Ty France and Paul Goldschmidt. In the bullpen, Stearns prioritizes swing‑and‑miss relievers to back closer Devin Williams, underscoring an aggressive offseason overhaul.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter quashes any talk of selling the franchise after recent exits from the Los Angeles Lakers and Chelsea FC. Citing Dodger Nation, Walter reiterates his long‑term commitment to Los Angeles as the team rebuilds following a NLCS loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Analysts say the Dodgers could fetch $8‑$10 billion if ever put on the market, far above the $2.15 billion Guggenheim paid in 2012. Walter’s Lakers stake sold for a $12.5 billion valuation, netting about $2.5 billion, while his Chelsea holdings were off‑loaded to Clearlake Capital. The focus now shifts to roster moves, including trade chatter around Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter affirms he will keep the franchise despite a federal financial probe and recent sales of his stakes in the Lakers, Chelsea and a potential $700 million sale of the Sparks. Walter, who took over in 2012, highlights the team's consistent postseason run—including back‑to‑back World Series titles in 2024 and 2025—while aiming for another championship next season and a decade of winning. He acknowledges the 2026 NLCS loss to the Brewers but stresses unwavering commitment to Los Angeles fans and the Dodgers' future.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praises the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers after they sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS and move within one win of the franchise's first World Series. In an ESPN Podcast interview with Buster Olney, Roberts quips that while the Dodgers were “hungry,” the Brewers were “starving,” highlighting their relentless play and clutch performances that left LA outmatched. Milwaukee now leads the World Series 3‑1 over the Tampa Bay Rays and can clinch the title in Game 5 on Wednesday at 8 PM ET.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter quashes rumors he might sell the franchise, stressing his commitment to keep the club and chase championships for the next decade. Speaking with the California Post after the Dodgers’ NLCS sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers, Walter clarified that his recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers has no bearing on the Dodgers, where he holds about 27% after the 2012 $2.15 billion purchase. Despite a federal probe into his other businesses and recent divestments from the Lakers, Chelsea and possibly the Sparks, he says the team stays under the same ownership and aims for continued success.
While he has divested himself from a big chunk of his sports portfolio, Mark Walter has no plans to sell his stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Rams tight end Colby Parkinson says Dodgers utility man Kiké Hernández could thrive as a slot receiver if the MLB lockout pushes him toward football. Parkinson praises Hernández’s 5’10” frame, versatility and clutch play, noting the Rams need a wideout before the NFL’s Nov. 10 trade deadline as Davante Adams recovers from a hamstring tear and Terrance Ferguson sits on IR. Hernández, a 35‑year‑old free agent after a year‑long, $4.5 million deal, battled elbow surgery and an oblique strain this season. Parkinson also hints that quarterback Matthew Stafford might toss a baseball as well, linking the two clubs’ hometown ties.
After a NLCS sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to rebuild as ace left‑hander Tarik Skubal hits free agency. While The Athletic’s Jim Bowden cites the Dodgers as a natural fit, he surprisingly adds the Chicago White Sox to Skubal’s shortlist. The Sox, rebounding from a 41‑121 season to an 84‑78 Wild Card berth and a brief ALDS lead, now seek an ace to solidify a rotation already featuring prospects Sean Burke and Davis Martin. General Manager Chris Getz and manager Will Venable must decide if owner Jerry Reinsdorf will approve what could become the franchise’s—and possibly the league’s—largest pitcher contract.
With the Brewers one win away from their first World Series title, the article argues that the current small‑market showdown – Milwaukee (19th payroll at $146 M) vs. Tampa Bay (28th at $95 M) – underscores the need for a baseball salary cap and floor. It highlights how only three teams since 2000 have won the World Series from outside the top‑15 payrolls, notes the stark contrast between the Dodgers’ $412 M payroll and Cleveland’s $74 M, and points to other sports where caps promote parity. The piece warns that a single small‑market triumph won’t fix systemic inequality without structural change.
A deep dive into a quirky Dodgers record reveals that the 1988 Los Angeles team once fielded four consecutive starters named Mike—Marshall (5B), Davis (1B), Deveraux (RF) and Scioscia (CF)—the longest stretch of identical first names in a lineup. The article recounts the two games featuring this lineup, highlighting Marshall’s grand slam on April 23, 1988, Scioscia’s three hits, and Davis’s later fame for a pivotal walk‑off in the World Series. It also touches on the era’s rainout quirks and the Dodgers’ cautious free‑agency era, offering rich historical context for fans.
After a 9-3 loss to the Dodgers, Mets broadcasters Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling and Gary Cohen faced speculation when Darling hinted he might reassess his SNY contract year‑by‑year. Despite a two‑year deal, Darling later told SNY’s The Mets Pod that he’s “lucky” to be on the booth and will stay as long as the trio and the network want him, emphasizing his desire to see a championship. He also expressed envy of TBS partner Brian Anderson’s World Series viewing. With Hernandez on a three‑year contract, Cohen unsettled, and MLB’s CBA still pending, the trio appears set to remain together for at least the next two seasons.
With a 3-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Milwaukee Brewers are one win away from clinching the 2026 World Series. Former MLB player Trevor Plouffe says the club is building a “dynasty,” citing long‑term contracts for William Contreras (through 2027), star pitcher Brandon Woodruff and other core pieces. He notes the team’s control of key roster spots and its ability to stay competitive despite not matching the Dodgers’ payroll. As the Brewers gear up for Game 5, the discussion turns to whether this run marks the start of sustained championship contention.
Left‑hander Aaron Ashby cements a historic MLB milestone in Game 4 of the 2026 World Series, extending his scoreless postseason streak to 18 innings—a record no pitcher has ever held. After a 5.40 ERA in the 2025 playoffs, Ashby has been flawless since Sept. 19, allowing just five hits and no runs against teams like the Dodgers and Rays. His dominant 2 1/3‑inning relief effort kept Tampa Bay shut out, positioning the Brewers for a potential first championship in over 50 years.
The Dodgers’ 2026 season highlighted a roller‑coaster for right‑hander Roki Sasaki, who shifted from a de‑facto closer to a struggling starter, posting a 5.33 ERA before a strong second‑half stretch was derailed by a finger blister. He saw only 3 ⅓ innings in the NLCS bullpen and now aims to secure a regular‑season and postseason rotation spot in 2027. Meanwhile, two‑way star Shohei Ohtani battled knee and biceps issues, enduring a two‑month home‑run drought and missing mound work since July 3, prompting calls for better communication with coaches. Off‑season buzz centers on 18‑year‑old Japanese pitcher Shoki Oda, who may skip NPB to join the Dodgers, joining fellow Japanese prospect outfielder Teruaki Sato in LA’s talent pipeline.
Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt makes World Series history, becoming the first rookie to record four hits in a potential clinching game. On Oct. 28, 2026, the 22‑year‑old blasted a 396‑foot go‑ahead home run in the 12th inning of Game 4, giving Milwaukee a 3‑2 lead before Tampa Bay rallied on a throwing error to win 4‑3. Despite the loss, Pratt’s performance underscores the Brewers’ resilience after a NLCS sweep of the Dodgers. With Game 5 set for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, Milwaukee hopes Pratt can spark its first championship.
The Bleed Cubbie Blue post celebrates baseball’s historic moments on October 28, from the 2016 World Series Game 3 – the first ever at Wrigley Field, where the Indians won 1‑0 on a Coco Crisp single – to iconic milestones like Bob Gibson’s 1968 Cy Young Award (1.12 ERA), the Dodgers’ 1981 comeback win over the Yankees, and the 1989 A’s sweep of the Giants. It also highlights later classics such as Randy Johnson’s 2001 shutout, the Red Sox’s 2007 sweep of Colorado, and the Cardinals’ dramatic 2011 Game 7 victory. The entry mixes scores, key players, and dates, offering a concise timeline of unforgettable World Series highlights.
In Game 4 of the 2026 World Series, 22‑year‑old rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt made history for the Milwaukee Brewers, recording four hits—including a go‑ahead 396‑foot home run in the 12th inning—becoming the first rookie ever with four hits in a potential title‑clincher. Despite his earlier benching and postseason errors, Pratt silenced critics and helped push the Brewers to a 4‑3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, though the team fell short of clinching the series. The Brewers now face Game 5 on Wednesday, hoping Pratt’s momentum continues.
Dodgers right‑hander Roki Sasaki says he’s focused on earning a regular‑season starter spot and, ultimately, a playoff rotation role. After a shoulder injury limited him to 36⅓ innings in 2025, Sasaki logged 122⅓ innings in 2026 with a 4.49 ERA, improving his strikeout (23.6%) and walk (9.2%) rates and posting a 2.83 ERA in the second half. At 25, he projects as a fourth‑ or fifth‑rotation arm amid a crowded staff that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and possibly Shohei Ohtani. The article also notes outfield prospect Charles Davalan’s versatility shift to second base in the Arizona Fall League, highlighting his rank as the Dodgers’ #7 prospect and the competitive outfield depth chart.
Miguel Rojas, who retired after the 2026 NLCS, says the Los Angeles Dodgers "changed my life"—for him and his family. Returning to the club in 2023, twelve years after his debut, Rojas spent his final four seasons winning back‑to‑back World Series titles (2024, 2025) and hitting a Game 7 tying homer in 2025. He credits the organization for welcoming his wife, son and daughter, letting his son shag balls in the clubhouse, and supporting his growth as a mentor. Rojas, a three‑time Roy Campanella Award winner, now serves as a special correspondent and mentor for future Dodgers prospects.
The following article " Brewers-Rays World Series audience opens not far off Dodgers-Jays " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch .
Considering the matchup, viewership for Games 1 and 2 of the World Series held up about as well as Fox Sports could have possibly hoped.
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