World Series Game 3, Brewers vs. Rays: TV, pitchers and lineups

The World Series shifted to Tampa Bay's home park for Game 3 with Milwaukee in control. The Brewers led the Rays 2-0 going into Monday night's game at Tropicana Field, which was broadcast on FOX and FOX One.

Tampa Bay handed the ball to a familiar face. Freddy Peralta, ALCS MVP for Tampa Bay and a former Brewers ace, started against Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser. Here is how the night was set up, from the TV listings to both lineups.

Key facts

• MLB.com said first pitch was set for 8 p.m. ET at Tropicana Field.
• The game aired on FOX and FOX Deportes, with streaming on FOX One.
• Peralta started for the Rays against Gasser for the Brewers.
• Milwaukee entered the game up 2-0 in the series.
• Game 4 is Oct. 27 in St. Petersburg.

How to watch

In the U.S., the game was on FOX and FOX Deportes nationally, with a stream on FOX One. In Canada, Sportsnet is MLB's only English-language postseason broadcaster.

Fans with cable or satellite have another option. Every postseason series is on MLB.TV in the U.S. for viewers who sign in with a participating pay-TV provider.

The pitching matchup

Peralta has been close to unhittable. Since Aug. 26, he is 7-0 with an 0.89 ERA, and he was named AL Pitcher of the Month for September before winning ALCS MVP.

He has also been strong at home. In seven starts at Tropicana Field since the Rays acquired him at the Trade Deadline, Peralta owns a 1.45 ERA.

Milwaukee knows him well. He pitched for the Brewers from 2018-25, going 70-42 with a 3.59 ERA and 1,153 strikeouts, before trades sent him to the Mets and then to the Rays.

Gasser has quietly been just as sharp. The lefty began the year at Triple-A Nashville and is 2-0 with a 1.51 ERA in eight outings since Aug. 26, counting both the regular season and the playoffs.

The lineups

The Brewers did not change a thing. They used the same lineup as in Games 1 and 2: Jackson Chourio (LF), Jake Bauers (1B), Christian Yelich (DH), William Contreras (C), Brice Turang (2B), Garrett Mitchell (CF), Cooper Pratt (SS), Sal Frelick (RF) and David Hamilton (3B).

The Rays adjusted for the left-hander. They sat Jonathan Aranda against Gasser and went with Yandy Díaz (DH), Ryan Vilade (1B), Chandler Simpson (LF), Junior Caminero (3B), Ben Williamson (2B), Jonny DeLuca (CF), Victor Mesa Jr. (RF), Nick Fortes (C) and Taylor Walls (SS).

Some Rays hitters have struggled. Mesa is hitting .162 with a .487 OPS this month, and Williamson is 1-for-12 this postseason. On the other side, Contreras leads all players this postseason with 15 hits.

Caminero was blunt about the team's play, saying "nobody in this clubhouse wants to play the baseball that we've played".

Background

Milwaukee has had a historic year. The Brewers led the Majors with a franchise-record 103 wins, beat the Padres in the NLDS and swept the Dodgers in the NLCS, reaching the Fall Classic for the first time since 1982.

That 1982 trip was the Brewers' only other pennant, won in the American League, and they lost a seven-game World Series to the Cardinals. The Rays have come up short twice: they lost to the Phillies in five games in 2008 and to the Dodgers in six in 2020. Neither club has won a World Series.

Game 3 was a milestone for the ballpark. It was the first World Series game at Tropicana Field since Game 2 of the 2008 Fall Classic on Oct. 23, 2008. Joe Maddon, who managed the Rays to their first AL pennant in 2008, was scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

What it means for you

History favors Milwaukee. Of the 57 teams that took a 2-0 World Series lead, 46, or 80.7%, went on to win, including 45 of 55 in best-of-seven series.

The Brewers' bullpen is a big reason for the lead. Milwaukee relievers have a 1.24 ERA in 50 2/3 postseason innings, and Aaron Ashby has not given up a run in 15 2/3 innings. No other team has posted eight saves in one postseason since saves became an official stat in 1969.

Game 2 was decided late. Rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt's RBI single in the seventh inning was the winning hit. Pratt stayed upbeat about the series, saying "As long as there's game left, we have a chance".

Injuries are also shaping the rosters. Rays starter Shane McClanahan is out for the postseason, while Milwaukee's Brandon Woodruff did not pitch in Games 1 or 2 after joining the World Series roster.

What happens next

The series stays put for now. After Game 3 on Oct. 26, Game 4 is Oct. 27 in St. Petersburg, with Game 5 on Oct. 28 if needed.

FAQ

What time was World Series Game 3? MLB.com said first pitch was scheduled for 8 p.m. ET Monday.

What channel is the game on? The game aired on FOX and FOX Deportes, with streaming on FOX One. In Canada, Sportsnet carries it in English.

Who has home-field advantage? The Brewers do, thanks to their franchise-record 103 regular-season wins.

When is Game 4? Game 4 is set for Oct. 27 in St. Petersburg.