Skip to main content
Rays Colored Glasses
Fansided

Rays-Brewers World Series is a battle of revenge tours (and it all begins in Games 1 and 2)

Not just one but two of the Rays' top starters have career roots in Milwaukee with the Brewers
ByHarrison Smajovits
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
One of the former Brewers on the Rays became the ALCS MVP
One of the former Brewers on the Rays became the ALCS MVP | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The World Series is approaching, and the Tampa Bay Rays are set to face the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. With that, two key members of the Rays' rotation will be up against their former team: Drew Rasmussen and Freddy Peralta. 

Rasmussen was acquired directly from the team in a trade back in 2021, which notably sent Willy Adames to Milwaukee. At the time, he was a struggling bullpen arm that the Rays saw enough potential in to use him as a rotation arm when they were in a bind. He’s been in a starting role ever since. 

Peralta was an All-Star for the Brewers last season. He was traded to the Mets before spring training, and it seemed like it would be a nightmarish contract year for him. Since coming to the Rays, he’s turned it around. That may be an understatement. 

He’s been historic for this team, and he’s even been named the ALCS MVP. Even with previous dominant years, we're seeing some of the best of him now.

Both have a chance to get a last laugh against their former team that was willing to part with them. 

Brewers Have a Former Ray Who Can Get Payback Too

It happens to be that the player who won the NLCS MVP for the Brewers was originally a member of the Rays: Jake Bauers. He was part of the 2018 team that won 90 games. He appeared to be part of what was next until he was traded to the then-Cleveland Indians for Yandy Diaz.

Acquiring Diaz has worked wonders for the Rays. Bauers took some time to find his footing in the majors. After bouncing around to a few other teams, the Brewers opted to give him regular playing time.

He had two respectable seasons in 2024 and 2025 in a Brewers uniform, but he's had a breakout in 2026. Now, he can say he played a pivotal role in toppling the mighty Dodgers.

Someone is going to get payback one way or another. Rasmussen and Peralta can at least tag team. Bauers will stand alone if he makes it happen.

These are the story lines that make things a little more interesting. While two teams are lvying for their first championships, so are the players who can get their first ring by beating their former teams.

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Home/Rays News