World Series 2026: It will be Jacob Misiorowski vs. Nick Martinez in Game 1 as Brewers host Rays

Sean LeahyThu, October 22, 2026 at 8:26 PM UTC

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The Milwaukee Brewers will have Jacob Misiorowski go up against Nick Martinez of the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the 2026 World Series on Friday at American Family Field.

Misiorowski, who led all MLB pitchers during the regular season with 252 strikeouts, will make his third start this postseason after throwing four innings and 4 1/3 innings against the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, respectively. Despite his mediocre performance by his standards, both starts resulted in the Brewers taking 1-0 leads in the NLDS and NLCS.

During Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres, the Brewers’ ace’s first pitch was clocked at 104.8 mph, the fastest in the playoffs since MLB started tracking pitch speeds.

Misiorowski, 24, will be well rested for Friday, as he will have had 11 days off since his last trip to the mound. This will be the Brewers' first World Series appearance since 1982 and only the second in franchise history.

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Martinez, 36, will be making his 11th career postseason start and third in these playoffs. He pitched 3 2/3 innings in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees and allowed two runs on five hits. He next threw in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians, going 5 1/3 innings with one earned run and two hits allowed. Both ended with important road victories for the Rays.

Martinez has been more productive away from Tropicana Field this season. His ERA at home during the regular season was 3.90, compared to 2.43 on the road, which includes the playoffs.

For Tampa Bay, Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta are expected to take the ball for Games 2 and 3. The Brewers’ pitching plans are not yet known, though Logan Henderson is the likely Game 2 starter.

This postseason, Rasmussen has recorded 23 strikeouts in 21 innings with a 0.76 WHIP while holding opponents to a .178 batting average. ALCS MVP Peralta has recorded a 0.90 ERA with 39 strikeouts over his past nine starts.

Game 1 of the 2026 World Series between the Rays and Brewers begins at 8 p.m. ET Friday on Fox, Fox One and Fox Deportes.

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Source: “AOL Sports”