The 2026 World Series may not feature a team from a huge media market, but Chandler Simpson thinks baseball fans are in for a treat anyway.
The Rays outfielder made the case through MLBPA, saying this matchup between Tampa Bay and Milwaukee has a little bit of everything for people who appreciate the sport at every level. His point was simple: this series should appeal to anyone who loves the full range of baseball.
“If you want to see all facets of the game of baseball, and you really, truly love the game and everything that comes with it, and not just one dimension of the game, then I mean this would be a great series to watch,” Simpson said. “It's going to be a long ball, it's going to be the short ball.
It's going to be defense and pitching as well. You're going to see crafty pitchers that don't have the velo and you're going to see people that throw hard as well.
“So I mean, if you truly love every facet and every tool of baseball, then you're going to love this series.”
That’s the pitch, and it fits these two clubs. The Brewers got here by winning 103 games, the best record in MLB, before knocking off the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason. The Rays weren’t far behind, finishing with 98 wins to take the top spot in the American League and then beating the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians on the way to the Fall Classic.
What makes this matchup stand out is the way both teams win. They do the smaller things well.
They move runners, make smart plays on defense and take the extra base when it’s there. It’s not a one-note series.
That’s why Simpson’s view rings true. For fans who care about every part of the game, the 2026 World Series should deliver plenty to watch.
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