MILWAUKEE -- Two games, two runs. That’s the difference in this World Series, a stage where the minuscule can be massive. Going into Game 3 on Monday night at Tropicana Field, the Brewers are two wins away from a franchise-first title. And the closely contested nature of their victories in

MILWAUKEE -- The Rays couldn’t have asked for a much better start to Game 2 of the World Series. After a frustrating one-run loss in Game 1 marked by a lack of timely hitting, they jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning Saturday night thanks to big

MILWAUKEE -- Usually, you’ll see Junior Caminero leading with joy. He’s often the first one out of the dugout, celebrating on the field, when one of his teammates has a big moment. He’s quick to rush to their side to provide consolation. He’s even quicker with a big smile and

MILWAUKEE -- Game 1 of the World Series was so tense and tight that it required two final outs. The Brewers survived an overturned out to hold serve at home, but the visiting Rays made it clear that this Fall Classic, which continues with Game 2 on Saturday night at

MILWAUKEE -- When the bullpen door swung open at American Family Field on Friday night, the best the Brewers had to offer came trotting out. When Jacob Misiorowski exited the game with a lead after five innings, they turned to Abner Uribe for four outs, Aaron Ashby for five and

MILWAUKEE -- The way the Rays set up their rotation for the World Series was not just about winning Game 1. It was a three-game gambit, designed to put them in the best possible spot to win every night. It put their veteran leader on the mound in the series

MILWAUKEE -- Before heading to American Family Field on Friday afternoon, Drew Rasmussen and his wife Stevie took a moment to appreciate, and laugh about, the cosmic coincidence of it all. “Had the Brewers been playing anyone else in the World Series,” Rasmussen said, “man, I’d be rooting for them.”

MILWAUKEE – The history guaranteed to be made in this unusual World Series starts here. It starts with the host Milwaukee Brewers giving the ball to their fireballing ace, Jacob Misiorowski, a 24-year-old getting a start that, for the Cream City, is 44 years in the making. It starts with

MILWAUKEE -- The Rays made just one minor change to their roster for the franchise’s third appearance in the World Series, bringing back left-handed reliever Garrett Cleavinger to replace hard-throwing prospect Brody Hopkins.

MILWAUKEE -- For a time, as the first wave of analytical thinking swept through baseball, there were just certain things that “smart,” forward-thinking managers didn’t do. They didn’t lock players into certain parts of the lineup. They didn’t have a designated closer. They didn’t give away outs by trying to

MILWAUKEE -- After the Rays arrived at The Pfister Hotel on Wednesday, a large group of players got together and headed out to Carnevor, billed as “Milwaukee’s Premier Steakhouse.” It was a familiar scene for the Rays. They began this team dinner tradition before Opening Day, and it’s carried all

MILWAUKEE – Look up during the World Series and you’ll see the roofs at American Family Field and Tropicana Field. There’s a chance this could be the first World Series played entirely indoors. And there’s a chance that a ball striking one of those roofs -- or the supporting structures,

MILWAUKEE -- The Rays had a couple different options to consider as they lined up their rotation for the World Series. They’re not quite as well-rested as the Brewers, but finishing the American League Championship Series in six games gave them some flexibility. They decided to take advantage of it,

MILWAUKEE – If you have the constitution for it, running a team in one of baseball’s smaller markets can be a really good time. Sometimes there’s a Nintendo.

MILWAUKEE -- Have you heard the serendipitous story about how the Rays wound up signing first baseman Jonathan Aranda? Carlos Rodriguez, the Rays’ international scouting director in 2015, wanted to evaluate a Cuban outfielder who was training in Tijuana, Mexico: Randy Arozarena. They lacked the international spending capacity to sign

ST. PETERSBURG -- As a Brooklyn native who grew up loving basketball, Rays second baseman Richie Palacios has taken a lot of inspiration from his beloved New York Knicks this season. The Knicks, of course, ended a 53-year championship drought by beating the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals

ST. PETERSBURG -- Cam Booser stood on the mound at Tropicana Field with Game 2 of the American League Division Series hanging in the balance.

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays had every reason to celebrate their 7-3 win over the Guardians in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series late Monday night and perhaps well into Tuesday morning.

ST. PETERSBURG -- It was 18 years ago that David Price threw the pitch, Jed Lowrie hit the grounder and Akinori Iwamura leaped off second base with the ball in his right hand and both arms raised to Tropicana Field’s domed roof. October 19, 2008. Game 7 of the American

ST. PETERSBURG -- Clad in a matching T-shirt and hat declaring the Rays American League champions, with goggles not yet over his eyes for the incoming onslaught of champagne and beer, manager Kevin Cash found a spot in the middle of the Rays’ clubhouse at Tropicana Field late Monday night

CLEVELAND -- A trip to the World Series is on the line in Game 6 as the Rays bring the ALCS back to Tropicana Field. Coming off their 3-1 win over the Guardians in Game 5, the Rays look like the best version of themselves now, playing airtight defense behind

CLEVELAND -- It had been a back-and-forth start to the American League Championship Series, with the Guardians and Rays alternating wins in the first four games they played. By that pattern, Game 5 was the Guardians’ turn to win. One problem: It was also Drew Rasmussen’s turn to start.

CLEVELAND -- Nobody’s going to mistake muscular Rays leadoff man Yandy Díaz for Babe Ruth, but he called his shot Sunday night at Progressive Field. Díaz picked up three hits to support another dominant start by Drew Rasmussen in the Rays’ 3-1 win over the Guardians in Game 5 of

CLEVELAND -- We’ve got a new series heading into Game 5 of the ALCS with the Rays and Guardians tied 2-2. Sunday’s 5:08 p.m. ET game at Progressive Field will determine which side flies to St. Petersburg for Game 6 on the doorstep of the World Series and which team

CLEVELAND -- They’ve become known as the Rays’ “Big Three,” fixtures atop Tampa Bay’s lineup and a huge part of the reason they were playing on a cool October evening at Progressive Field on Saturday. But manager Kevin Cash has another nickname he uses to tease Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda