Rays seek first 3-0 comeback in World Series history against Brewers

The Tampa Bay Rays have a 0% historical track record to beat. No team in Major League Baseball history has overcome a 3-0 deficit to win the World Series. The franchise now holds the only chance to break that streak as it hosts the Milwaukee Brewers for Game 5 at Tropicana Field.

The stakes are defined by the series score. Milwaukee holds a 3-1 lead after sweeping the first three games and winning the fourth. A loss for Tampa Bay on Wednesday would end the season and give the Brewers their first championship. A win would send the series to Milwaukee for Game 6 on Friday.

Tuesday night provided a narrow reprieve. The Rays trailed 3-2 entering the 12th inning after Milwaukee scored in the top half. Tampa Bay scored two runs in the bottom of the 12th to win 4-3. The rally began when Junior Caminero reached on a fielding error. Four consecutive singles followed, with Ben Williamson hitting the game winner to right field.

The pitching rotation presents a clear asymmetry. Right-hander Jacob Misiorowski is the confirmed starter for the Brewers. He started Game 1, allowing one run on four hits over five innings in a 3-2 loss. The Rays have not named their starter as of Wednesday morning. Tampa Bay relied heavily on relief pitchers to close out the 12-inning game on Tuesday.

Historical data offers no comfort for the home team. In the previous 25 World Series where a team took a 3-0 lead, the leading team won the title every time. Four teams managed to win Game 4 from a 3-0 hole in those 25 series. All four of those teams lost Game 5 and were eliminated. The only best-of-seven comeback from 3-0 in postseason history occurred in 2004, when the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

The Brewers opened the series with a 3-2 win in Game 1. They rallied from a four-run deficit to win Game 2, 5-4. Milwaukee dominated Game 3 with an 8-1 victory, scoring eight runs in the fifth inning. The Rays entered the World Series seeking their first franchise title. They now play with one more home game remaining.

Game 5 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The broadcast will air on FOX, FOX Deportes, and FOX One. Streaming options include FOX One and YouTube TV. If Tampa Bay wins, Game 6 will be played at American Family Field on Friday, Oct. 30. Game 7, if necessary, is set for Saturday, Oct. 31, in Milwaukee.