The 2026 World Series begins Friday when each league’s best teams, the Tampa Bay Rays of the American League and the Milwaukee Brewers of the National League, battle for the Commissioner’s Trophy. While the two teams may not necessarily be the most visible teams on the national stage, there will be no shortage of star power on the field and this is sure to be an engaging series. Trade in the World Series with the latest Kalshi promo code CBSSPORTS55, which gives new users a $55 bonus after trading $25:
The teams are similarly built with young talent, strong batting and speed. The Brewers are -165 favorites to win the title in the latest DraftKings Sportsbook World Series odds, while the Rays are +145 underdogs. Here, we’ll analyze the 2026 World Series and give bettors a look at some. baseball betting picks for this year’s Fall Classic. Bet on the World Series and more at DraftKings, where new users get $200 in bonuses and 3 months of free NBA League Pass after spending $5:
Why the Brewers can win the World Series
Even with Shohei Ohtani’s injury woes, knocking the Dodgers out of the playoffs and doing so convincingly is no small feat. Milwaukee hosted the two-time champions and looked like the better team.
Milwaukee has won an MLB-most 103 games this season. The Brewers led the National League in runs scored (832), slugging walk rate (10.6%), batting average (.258), OBP (.341), ERA (3.23) and pitcher’s strikeout rate (25.8%). They deserve to be all-around favorites, even over a 98-win Tampa Bay team.
The roster is loaded with talent. Second baseman Brice Turang is an all-around star, as are catcher William Contreras and outfielder Jackson Chourio, who is only scratching the surface of his immense talent. The team managed to turn journeyman first baseman Jake Bauers into a terrific middle-of-the-pack bat. On the mound, Jacob Misiorowski is likely to win his first NL Cy Young Award, and Logan Henderson is a more capable secondary starter. The bullpen is deep and devastatingly effective.
The Brewers are the best team in baseball and may be for years to come, especially if the Dodgers’ core begins to age out of perfection. Bet on baseball and more with BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS and win up to $1,500 in bonuses:
Why the Rays can win the World Series
Tampa Bay has the most stardust player in this series. Junior Caminero was born to hit the biggest stages the sport has to offer. The third baseman launched 42 home runs in the regular season and hit some important homers in the postseason as well. Baseball isn’t a sport where one player can win by a large lead, but key moments often determine World Series games. Caminero is not someone Milwaukee wants to see at the plate with runners on base.
Like the Brewers, the Rays excel at finding castoff players to develop into significant contributors. Yandy Diaz and Victor Mesa Jr. They were key contributors to Tampa Bay’s lineup, with closer Bryan Baker emerging as an All-Star after leaving Baltimore. Former Brewer Drew Rasumussen has never posted an ERA under 3 since arriving in Tampa Bay and is a decent Game 1 starter.
The Rays thrive on speed and contact, moving away from recent Tampa Bay methodologies. They are sound defensively and are well positioned to grind out a tough World Series. Bet on the World Series at Caesars Sportsbook to win up to $250 in wager resets:
The best bets for the 2026 World Series
These are two similar teams — the Brewers are the better version. Milwaukee has more consistent rushing up and down the lineup, and as good as Baker is, the Brewers have a deeper and better bullpen. We’ve seen over the last decade how important a great relief corps is to a World Series. Milwaukee is better suited to win a close series — or roll over the Rice like the Brewers did to the Dodgers.
Option: Brewers -165
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