Todd Benzinger, World Series champ with Reds, dies at 63

The Milwaukee Brewers face the Tampa Bay Rays in the opening game of a World Series that promises to be a thrilling clash of two surprise contenders. Pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, known for his record-setting fastball, will deliver the first pitch of the championship series. This matchup of modestly funded teams is the first since 1980 between pennant winners seeking their first titles and could also be the first to utilize robot umpires.

Both teams have off-seasons and are eager to prove themselves. Misiorowski, a 24-year-old right-hander, is expected to break the World Series velocity record he set earlier in the season. The Brewers and Rays are notable for their low-scoring offenses, with the Brewers scoring just 32.1% of their runs via home runs and the Rays at 34.4%.

The series brings a change to baseball, as robot umpires have increased the success rate of challenges by batters. Despite the disparity in payrolls, both teams have reached the Series as the smallest market representatives since 2015. The Brewers swept the Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, while the Rays swept the Yankees in the AL Division Series.

The highest-paid player in the Series, Christian Yelich, is 44th in his team's pay scale, while the Rays' highest-paid player, Yandy Díaz, ranks 154th. Both teams have had extra time off, but Milwaukee's absence from the field for seven days before the opener is a unique factor. Regardless, both teams are confident in their home-field advantage, having tied for the best home record this season.