Lessons from the Rays and Brewers Ahead of the 2026 World Series

The 2026 World Series is all set to feature the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers, sparking discussions about what can be learned from their success this year.

People have long bemoaned issues like salary caps, payrolls, and free agency in baseball. However, the accomplishments of Tampa and Milwaukee this season suggest that these worries might be exaggerated. Some argue these teams are exceptions—outliers against the backdrop of high-spending, big-market franchises—but looking at recent history could tell a different story.

Since 2017, the Rays have made two World Series appearances, which stands out against several high-payroll teams:

• Tampa Bay Rays – 2
• New York Yankees – 1
• Boston Red Sox – 1
• Texas Rangers – 1
• Philadelphia Phillies – 1
• Washington Nationals – 1
• Atlanta Braves – 1
• Toronto Blue Jays – 1
• New York Mets – 0
• Chicago Cubs – 0
• San Francisco Giants – 0
• Los Angeles Angels – 0
• San Diego Padres – 0

The Brewers’ journey to the World Series means that, since 2010, 19 out of 30 MLB teams have made it to the championship series. In comparison, just 18 out of 32 NFL teams have reached the Super Bowl during the same period. So, 63% of MLB teams have been to the World Series, slightly more than the NFL’s 56%, even with the latter’s salary cap in place.

This leads to an interesting question: how are these teams consistently performing well despite their relatively tight budgets? There’s a straightforward answer that requires a closer look: they allocate resources to different, crucial aspects of team building—areas that many others overlook.

Fans on social media have pointed out that the Brewers, Rays, and Dodgers possess some of the largest analytics departments in the league. A few have even suggested there’s a notable correlation between a larger analytics staff and higher win totals.

It’s intriguing, really—many discussions around televised baseball bemoan analytics as detrimental to the sport. Yet, the more extensive these analytics teams are, the better the teams seem to perform. It raises the question: why is that?

The term “analytics” barely scratches the surface of what these departments actually do. It’s more than just recognizing promising statistics; it encompasses the examination of bat paths, pitch shapes, angles of attack, and player performance against various pitch types. Knowing which players excel against certain pitchers or which pitch sequences can effectively tackle a lineup—all of this informs their strategies, and it matters significantly.

These marginal, behind-the-scenes advantages accumulate over time. Enhanced game planning, improved communication via information to coaches and players, and better scouting for trades and free agents—all these factors are crucial. It goes beyond merely asking if a player has impressive stats; it’s about whether they fulfill a specific gap in the roster.

The approach also extends to amateur scouting. The Dodgers, Rays, and Brewers typically excel in this arena as well, frequently dominating international markets, which is beginning to pay off in noticeable ways. For instance, Junior Caminero has emerged as a star for Tampa at just 22 years old, while Jackson Chourio of Milwaukee has set new records for postseason home runs before turning 23. Andy Pages was recognized as the Dodgers’ most valuable offensive player this season, according to wins above replacement.

This is an area where many franchises tend to cut corners. Spending a bit more could significantly enhance their international scouting capabilities. Clearly, given the Brewers’ and Rays’ achievements, it’s not impossible for smaller teams to invest wisely.

A glance at teams with the smallest analytics departments shows the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, and Athletics—how have those organizations fared lately?

Now, not implying that there’s a guaranteed relationship between staff size and wins, it’s hard to dispute the success of teams like Milwaukee and Tampa. The Dodgers, of course, can supplement their analytics teams with significant financial power in free agency.

Yet, if your organization has lagged in this vital area, winning becomes much tougher than it needs to be. Ultimately, that responsibility lies with ownership—not merely with market size.