Brewers, Rays Announce World Series Rosters

The World Series starts tonight with the Brewers hosting the Rays. The action kicks off at 7 pm CT. Both clubs have submitted their 26-man squads for the matchup. The Brewers are rolling with 13 pitchers and 13 position players. The big news is Brandon Woodruff, who makes the final cut after a long layoff. The veteran righty had been working his way back from a shoulder injury and hoped to be ready for the Fall Classic. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since early July. Milwaukee expressed concern about being able to replace Woodruff on the roster if he made it and then had a setback. Apparently, those concerns have dissipated. It’ll be Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan filling out the back half of the pitching staff, with Woodruff taking Chad Patrick’s spot. Drohan tossed an inning against the Dodgers in the NLCS. Harrison and Patrick haven’t pitched at all. Antonio Senzatela has also been used sparingly, pitching twice in the NLDS and then not at all in the last round. The Brewers have leaned heavily on Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe, and Aaron Ashby, who have combined for 18 appearances. Ashby has covered 12 1/3 innings already, which ranks ninth among all pitchers this postseason. The hitting group is unchanged for Milwaukee. Christian Yelich and Andrew Vaughn likely remain in a platoon at DH. The matchup against the Rays favors the lefty-swinging Yelich, given that Tampa Bay’s four-man rotation is entirely right-handed. Luis Lara and David Hamilton are on the bench as speed/defensive replacement options. The Rays are sticking with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. The lone change is lefty Garrett Cleavinger replacing righty Brody Hopkins. Cleavinger was on the ALDS roster, but was swapped out for Hopkins in the ALCS. After introducing the league to the opener concept, Tampa Bay has reversed course, leaning on starting pitchers more than other clubs this postseason. That makes it easier to add an extra bat on the bench. Jorge Mateo was the only hitter to not receive an at-bat in the ALCS, though he appeared twice as a pinch-runner. Manager Kevin Cash has frequently mixed and matched his platoon bats, with solid results. Richie Palacios had six hits in his three ALCS starts. Ryan Vilade homered in his lone ALDS appearance. It’ll be the left-handed bats taking priority in the first two games, with righties Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson on the mound. Vilade and Ben Williamson could see opportunities whenever lefty Robert Gasser starts. The Rays’ bullpen hasn’t been the lockdown unit of the past, but it’s led by a breakout closer. Bryan Baker emerged as one of the best relievers in the league this year. He tied Cade Smith for the league lead with 41 saves in the regular season. Baker has somehow been even better in the playoffs, tossing seven scoreless innings while picking up five saves. He’s allowed just three baserunners in his seven outings. Here are the full rosters for each team… Milwaukee Brewers Pitchers (* = left-handed): Aaron Ashby*, Shane Drohan*, Robert Gasser*, DL Hall*, Kyle Harrison*, Logan Henderson, Dustin May, Trevor Megill, Jacob Misiorowski, JoJo Romero*, Antonio Senzatela, Abner Uribe, Brandon Woodruff Catchers: William Contreras, Gary Sanchez Infielders: Jake Bauers, David Hamilton, Joey Ortiz, Cooper Pratt, Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn Outfielders: Jackson Chourio, Sal Frelick, Luis Lara, Garrett Mitchell, Christian Yelich Tampa Bay Rays Pitchers (* = left-handed): Bryan Baker, Cam Booser*, Garrett Cleavinger*, Griffin Jax, Kevin Kelly, Nick Martinez, Steven Matz*, Freddy Peralta, Drew Rasmussen, Ian Seymour*, Cole Sulser, Tyler Wells Catchers: Nick Fortes, Liam Hicks Infielders: Jonathan Aranda, Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Jorge Mateo, Richie Palacios, Taylor Walls, Ben Williamson Outfielders: Jonny DeLuca, Víctor Mesa Jr., Cedric Mullins, Chandler Simpson, Ryan Vilade Photo courtesy of Jonathan Dyer, Imagn Images