World Series prediction: It’s strength vs strength in Rays-Brewers matchup

The World Series begins Friday night in Milwaukee with a matchup guaranteed to produce a first-time champion. The Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, both modest-payroll teams that advanced with a base-to-base style, meet in the first Fall Classic since 1980 featuring two franchises never to have won a title. It is also the first Series to use robot umpires and the first played entirely indoors. Milwaukee returns to the championship round for the first time since 1982, a 44-year gap matching the jersey number of franchise icon Hank Aaron.

Brewers rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, 24, starts Game 1. In his first full major league season, he threw 1,115 pitches of 100 mph or higher, shattering the previous tracking-era record of 673 set by Jordan Hicks in 2018. His top velocity this year was 105.5 mph. Misiorowski could break the World Series starter record of 101.1 mph held by Noah Syndergaard and the overall Series mark of 103.2 mph set by Aroldis Chapman. However, he failed to finish the fifth inning in either of his first two postseason starts. Batters fouled off 51 of 94 swings against him this postseason. "He hasn't been as crisp," manager Pat Murphy said. "They're obviously looking at an area. They're trying to exploit everything. He's exposed, like all these guys get at some point."

Tampa Bay will counter with 36-year-old right-hander Nick Martinez, a surprise choice that gives extra rest to Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta. Martinez, with his fourth major league organization, is nicknamed "El Presidente" by teammates and took the team to dinner Wednesday at a Milwaukee steakhouse. Rays pitcher Steven Matz said the club enjoys its chaotic offensive approach: "We love watching those guys cause chaos. Every time it's first and third and someone lays down a bunt, we are just dying laughing in the bullpen."

Sources: Las Vegas Sun