Update (4:07 p.m. ET, Saturday): The Rays vs Brewers Game 2 lineups have been confirmed ahead of Saturday’s 8 p.m. ET first pitch at American Family Field, with Tampa Bay set to send out a lineup built around Yandy Diaz at designated hitter as the Rays try to even the World Series at 1-1.
The Tampa Bay Rays try to even the World Series on Saturday when they face the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 at American Family Field. Milwaukee took the opener 3-2 and now leads the series 1-0. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET, with the Brewers looking to build on a five-game winning streak that includes a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS.
Tampa Bay enters having dropped its series opener for the first time all postseason after cruising through the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians. The Rays went 98-64 in the regular season to capture the American League East, while the Brewers finished 103-59 to win the National League Central by 14 games, according to the 2026 MLB playoff bracket.
World Series Game 2 Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- TV/Streaming: Fox, ERADM
- Series: Brewers lead World Series 1-0
- Weather: 61 degrees, 0% chance of precipitation
Rays Vs Brewers Game 2 Lineups Confirmed
Tampa Bay’s confirmed starting lineup for Game 2 has Yandy Diaz at designated hitter, followed by Jonathan Aranda at first base, Chandler Simpson in left field, Junior Caminero at third base, Liam Hicks catching, Richie Palacios at second base, Jonny DeLuca in center field, Victor Mesa Jr. in right field and Taylor Walls at shortstop. The alignment moves Simpson, the Rays’ regular-season batting leader at .306, into the outfield while keeping Caminero, who led the roster with 42 home runs and 101 RBIs, in the middle of the order at third base.
Drew Rasmussen is set to start on the mound for Tampa Bay, carrying a 1.29 ERA and a 2-0 postseason record into the outing. For more on how Tampa Bay set its order for the series opener, see the confirmed Game 1 lineups.
By The Numbers
- Team ERA: Rays 2.66, Brewers 2.03
- WHIP: Rays 1.06, Brewers 1.05
- Batting average: Rays .231, Brewers .252
- OPS: Rays .638, Brewers .737
- Runs per game: Rays 3.7, Brewers 4.1
- Home runs (season totals): Rays 7, Brewers 10
- Opponent OPS allowed: Rays .577, Brewers .518
- Fielding percentage: Rays .997, Brewers .975
- Strikeouts per nine innings (pitching): Rays 8.2, Brewers 8.3
Tampa Bay Rays Outlook
The Rays sit at 98-64 and finished four and a half games clear of the New York Yankees in the AL East. Tampa Bay carries a team ERA of 2.66 and a .231 team batting average into Game 2, numbers built largely on pitching depth rather than offensive volume. Junior Caminero leads the roster with 42 home runs and 101 RBIs, and Chandler Simpson paces the lineup with a .306 average, a split now visible in the confirmed Game 2 order with Simpson batting ahead of Caminero.
Rasmussen was the winning pitcher in the Rays’ ALCS Game 5 victory over Cleveland, according to a Total Apex Sports recap of that game. The Rays’ pitching staff has posted four quality starts in 10 postseason games with a 1.06 WHIP, and Tampa Bay is without starter Shane McClanahan, who remains out with left forearm soreness.
Milwaukee Brewers Outlook
Milwaukee enters at 103-59 and has not lost since Oct. 12, a stretch of five straight wins that includes the Game 1 victory over the Rays. The Brewers’ pitching staff carries a 2.03 ERA and a .188 opponent batting average this postseason, with seven saves in eight opportunities. Jackson Chourio leads Milwaukee hitters at .291, while Brice Turang has driven in a team-high 100 runs during the regular season.
Logan Henderson is set to start Game 2 for Milwaukee, carrying a 3.00 ERA without a decision yet in his postseason starts. The Brewers used Jacob Misiorowski to open the World Series, as Total Apex Sports reported ahead of Game 1, and Milwaukee’s bullpen has combined for six holds across its nine postseason games.
Key Matchup
Rasmussen’s 1.29 ERA against Henderson’s 3.00 mark sets up a pitching duel that favors Tampa Bay on paper, but the Rays have to solve a Milwaukee staff allowing just a .188 opponent average. Tampa Bay’s lineup managed only two runs in the Game 1 loss, and the Rays’ .638 team OPS trails Milwaukee’s .737 mark by a wide margin. How the confirmed Rays order, with Simpson and Caminero back to back near the top, handles a Brewers bullpen with a 2.03 ERA will determine whether Rasmussen’s outing is enough to even the series.
Players To Watch
Junior Caminero, 3B, Rays
Caminero led Tampa Bay with 42 home runs and 101 RBIs during the regular season and posted an MLB-best 630.8 rating on the roster. The Rays need his power to offset a lineup batting .231 through 10 postseason games, and the confirmed Game 2 lineup has him hitting fourth.
Jackson Chourio, OF, Brewers
Chourio hit .291 in the regular season and anchors a Milwaukee lineup that has outscored Tampa Bay 4.1 to 3.7 runs per game in the playoffs. He has been part of a Brewers offense that has not lost since Oct. 12.
Drew Rasmussen, SP, Rays
Rasmussen enters Game 2 with a 2-0 postseason record and a 1.29 ERA, numbers that include his win in ALCS Game 5 against Cleveland. His performance will set the tone for whether Tampa Bay can avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole.
What To Watch
Milwaukee is chasing its first World Series title and is seeking to extend a series lead that already sits at 1-0 after Game 1. The Brewers’ low-payroll run to this point marked their first World Series appearance since 1991, according to Total Apex Sports. For the Rays, Saturday is about avoiding a 2-0 deficit before the series shifts. Game 3 details had not been announced as of this preview.
More MLB news from Total Apex Sports, including the World Series MVP odds led by Chourio and Caminero.
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