Rays Face Elimination in Game 5 as Misiorowski and Rasmussen Duel on Short Rest

Key points

• Jacob Misiorowski and Drew Rasmussen start Game 5 on short rest, with Rasmussen facing a 60-pitch limit due to three days of rest and a history of UCL surgeries.
• The Rays are the fifth team in MLB history to force a Game 5 after a 3-0 deficit, but no team has ever forced a Game 6 or won the series from that position.
• Aaron Ashby has set a new record for consecutive scoreless innings in a single postseason with 18, having allowed zero runs in all his October appearances.
• Junior Caminero returned to the Rays lineup in Game 5 after leaving Game 4 with a sore left foot, hitting the first single of the game.
• The Brewers are one win away from their first World Series title since 1982, while the Rays are attempting a historic comeback after losing the first three games.

Background

The 2026 World Series has been defined by pitching depth and defensive excellence, with the Brewers and Rays engaging in a low-scoring, high-tension matchup. The Brewers took a 3-0 lead after a 10-1 victory in Game 3, which included a record-setting eight-run fifth inning. The Rays avoided elimination in Game 4 with a 4-3 win in 12 innings, capitalizing on late pitching changes and four consecutive singles in the bottom of the 12th. Tropicana Field, which sustained significant damage from Hurricane Milton in 2024, was fully repaired for the 2026 season, allowing the Rays to host their first World Series games since 2008.

How outlets are covering it

CBS Sports emphasized the pitching duel between Misiorowski and Rasmussen, noting Rasmussen's 60-pitch limit and the Brewers' confidence in their ace. CNN highlighted the historic nature of the Rays' comeback attempt, noting that no team has ever forced a Game 6 after a 3-0 deficit, and detailed the personal struggles of Rasmussen's family during the postseason. Brew Crew Ball focused on the physical toll on both pitchers, noting Misiorowski's 188 combined innings and Rasmussen's 196 2/3 innings, and questioned whether either could sustain their performance on short rest. ESPN's source was unavailable due to a 403 error, so no perspective could be extracted from that outlet.

Why it matters

Game 5 determines whether the Brewers will claim their first World Series title since 1982 or if the Rays will achieve a historic comeback. The outcome will also impact the NL Cy Young award, as Misiorowski is the frontrunner, and the future of both teams' pitching staffs, given the physical toll of the postseason. The Rays' attempt to force a Game 6 would be unprecedented, while a Brewers victory would end the series and trigger local business giveaways in Milwaukee.

What to watch

Game 5 is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field. If the Rays win, they will force a Game 6, a historic first. If the Brewers win, they will claim their first World Series title since 1982. Both teams will need to manage their pitching staffs carefully, with Rasmussen facing a 60-pitch limit and Misiorowski needing to go long to protect the Brewers' bullpen, which was severely taxed in Game 4.