A season that began with 30 teams fighting for a championship has been whittled down to just two.
The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays will represent their respective leagues in a battle for a World Series title, a feat that neither franchise has ever achieved before.
To do so, the Brewers or Rays will need to rack up four wins in the best-of-seven series that begins on Friday in Milwaukee.
Prior to first pitch, learn more about how the teams got here and who Kalshi traders favor to win it all in our preview.
For informational purposes only. Not trading advice. See full disclaimer below.
2026 World Series Odds: Brewers favored to win first title
After dominating the regular season, the Milwaukee Brewers have made quick work of their opponents this postseason as well. Milwaukee has dropped just one game since postseason play began and exacted revenge over the two-time reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers with a 4-0 sweep in a 2025 NLCS rematch.
Kalshi traders expect them to keep it up, pricing them at 63% to win the series and lift the Commissioner's Trophy as the World Series Champions.
On the other hand, the Rays, priced at 38% to win the series, are coming off a series victory in which they overcame a 2-1 deficit against the Cleveland Guardians. Much like the Brewers, the Rays have flexed their muscles as one of baseball’s best teams in the postseason, dropping just those two games against Cleveland in their run to the World Series.
Of all the series outcomes, traders make a 4-2 Milwaukee victory (20%) the most probable best-of-seven runout, with Milwaukee winning in five games and seven games the next most likely outcomes (18%).
Game 1: Brewers favorites behind Misiorowski
Right-hander Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) will take the ball for the Brewers in Game 1 on Friday in his home ballpark. Misiorowski, the flamethrower and likely NL Cy Young award winner, was dominant during the regular season, posting a 1.80 ERA across 174 innings. But since the postseason began, he hasn’t been quite as sharp as his lofty standards. Across two starts he’s only amassed 8.1 innings pitched, allowing three runs and nearly double his regular season WHIP (walks+hits/inning pitched).
Nevertheless, Kalshi traders make his team the favorite, pricing them at 62% to secure a 1-0 series lead.
The Rays, who are trading at 38% to earn a road victory, waited to name their Game 1 starter until Thursday evening, passing on their ace Drew Rasmussen in favor of Nick Martinez. Rasmussen has been brilliant this postseason, allowing just three earned runs in 21 innings of work and spectacularly taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning of his start against the Yankees in the ALDS. But the Rays are opting to give him a fifth day of rest like last series, scheduling him for Game 2.
In his stead, Martinez will toe the rubber in Game 1. The right-hander has reinvented his big league career in the last few seasons after spending four years in Japan, becoming an important contributor to the Tampa Bay staff, including over two starts this postseason. He’ll face a stiff test in Game 1 though, needing to find a way through a Milwaukee order that finished first in wRC+ against right-handed starters this year.
Both teams are relatively rested and healthy heading into the series opener, however, the Rays will still be without left-hander Shane McClanahan and the Brewers are unsure about right-hander Brandon Woodruff. His chances of being added to the World Series roster were "50-50" as of Thursday, October 22.
The rest of the World Series schedule
After Game 1 on Friday, the two teams will square up for Game 2 at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Saturday. That game will feature Rasmussen for the Rays and young Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson. Kalshi traders make the Brewers 57% favorites in early trading.
The teams will then travel to Tampa Bay for Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday.
Should the series require a Game 5, it will take place on Wednesday, October 28 in Tampa Bay. Any further play would be held in Milwaukee, with a Game 6 slated for Friday, October 30 and a final Game 7 scheduled for Saturday, October 31 should they be necessary.
Who will be World Series MVP?
A trio of Brewers are the most likely World Series MVP winners, according to Kalshi traders.
Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio is at the top, trading at 15% to take home the honors. Meanwhile, catcher William Contreras is priced at 13% and Game 1 starter and Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski is trading at 9.5%. Tied for third is Rays slugger Junior Caminero, who is also trading at 9.5%.
The top Brewers players leading the board might come as little surprise, given traders also make the Brewers the favorite in the series. Only one time in MLB history has the World Series MVP come from the losing team and that was 66 years ago.
Follow Kalshi on X: @Kalshi | Follow Logan Hitchcock on X: LHitch09 |
Image Source: Drovetochicago
The opinions and perspectives presented in this article belong solely to the author. This is not financial advice and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to trade any specific product. Information is provided for convenience only on an "AS IS" basis. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Trading event contracts and trading leveraged products, including perpetual futures, involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Please carefully consider if it is appropriate for you in light of your personal financial circumstances. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. See kalshi.com/regulatory for more information. Kalshi is subject to U.S. regulatory oversight by the CFTC.
