Speed Could Shape World Series as Brewers and Rays Test Each Other

Speed could play a major role when the Brewers and Rays meet in the World Series. Tampa Bay tied for second in MLB with 164 regular-season steals, while Milwaukee ranked fifth with 162. This is only the fourth World Series since 1969 between two teams that finished in the top five in steals, and the first since 2008. Both clubs have kept running in October. The Rays stole 11 bases without being caught across nine playoff games. The Brewers recorded 10 steals in 12 attempts over eight games. Chandler Simpson leads Tampa Bay’s running game after winning the American League stolen-base title with 46. He also hit .306 and led MLB with 42 infield hits. Milwaukee offers greater balance, with seven players reaching at least 11 steals. David Hamilton led the club with 30 and is 3-for-3 in postseason attempts. Milwaukee performed better at controlling opposing runners. The Brewers allowed 71 regular-season steals, the second-fewest in MLB, compared with Tampa Bay’s 131, the sixth-most. Although their catchers’ caught-stealing percentages differed, Statcast’s opportunity-adjusted throwing metric rated them similarly, highlighting the importance of pitchers’ running-game management. That contrast extends to Game 1 starters Jacob Misiorowski and Drew Rasmussen. Misiorowski has been difficult to steal against, while Rasmussen allowed 23 steals this season. Rasmussen has nevertheless limited postseason opponents to 13 hits and three walks over 21 innings, posting a 1.29 ERA. Keeping runners off base remains the most direct way to neutralize their speed.