The Milwaukee Brewers stand on the threshold of baseball immortality as they prepare for Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. Holding a commanding 3-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Brewers have the opportunity to not only secure the first championship in franchise history but also to become the first team ever to sweep both a best-of-seven League Championship Series and the World Series in a single postseason.
The history of the Fall Classic suggests the Rays are facing an almost insurmountable deficit. In the history of best-of-seven postseason series, teams holding a 3-0 lead have won 42 out of 43 times. Only the 2004 Boston Red Sox have successfully rallied from such a hole to win a series, and no team in World Series history has even managed to force a Game 6 after losing the first three contests. For Milwaukee, the path to the trophy follows a dominant run that saw them sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS before taking the first three from Tampa Bay.
Monday’s Game 3 was a demonstration of the Brewers’ current momentum. Milwaukee humbled the Rays with a 10-1 victory, fueled by a record-breaking performance in which they scored eight two-out runs in a single inning. Remarkably, the Brewers reached double digits without hitting a single home run, the first time that has occurred in the World Series since 2014.
“We’ve gotta finish the job, we’ve gotta keep putting pressure on them,” said Brewers second baseman Brice Turang, emphasizing the team’s relentless approach. On the other side, the Rays are feeling the weight of the moment. Star third baseman Yandy Díaz noted the urgency, stating through an interpreter that the team must focus solely on winning one game to start a potential comeback.
The pitching matchup for Game 4 features Dustin May for the Brewers and Griffin Jax for the Rays. May, a veteran right-hander, is the only player on either roster with prior World Series experience, having pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their 2020 championship run against these same Rays. May appeared in relief during Game 2 of this series and has the advantage of a rested bullpen behind him. Milwaukee was able to preserve its top-tier relief arms, including Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe, and Trevor Megill, during the Game 3 blowout.
Griffin Jax takes the mound for Tampa Bay with the season on the line. Jax has been effective recently, posting a 1.88 ERA over his last 24 innings, though his most recent postseason start in the ALCS saw him allow three runs over four innings. Rays manager Kevin Cash is expected to employ an “all hands on deck” strategy, likely keeping Jax on a short leash and utilizing a bullpen that has struggled to contain the Brewers’ bats throughout the series. Veteran Nick Martinez and closer Bryan Baker are among those expected to be available for multiple innings if necessary.
Milwaukee’s offense has been spearheaded by Jackson Chourio, who is currently 8-for-14 in the series with three stolen bases. In Game 3, Chourio collected four hits by the fifth inning, nearly matching the World Series record of five hits in a single game. Catcher William Contreras has also been a dual threat, batting .419 this postseason while becoming the first catcher since 1993 to throw out three potential base-stealers in the first three games of a World Series.
The Rays, meanwhile, are mired in a team-wide offensive slump, scoring just one run in their last 17 innings. Only Jonathan Aranda and Chandler Simpson have managed more than two hits for Tampa Bay in this series. The Rays’ struggles have been compounded by uncharacteristic defensive lapses, contrasting sharply with the form that saw them win the AL East and secure the American League’s top seed.
As the series continues at Tropicana Field, Rays icon Evan Longoria is scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The game will also feature the annual Stand Up To Cancer placard ceremony at the end of the fifth inning, a tradition involving players, coaches, and fans. With both franchises entering this series without a title to their names, one way or another, Game 4 will move the record books toward a historic conclusion.
