Brewers host Rays in World Series Game 1 as Friday sports slate begins
Milwaukee faces Tampa Bay at 8 p.m. ET in World Series Game 1, while Knicks-Celtics headlines the NBA schedule.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
The Brewers Rays Game 1 odds made Milwaukee the favorite ahead of Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, but the bigger certainty is the stage: the World Series opens at American Family Field at 8 p.m. ET.
Major League Baseball lists Tampa Bay’s Nick Martinez against Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski for the opener. The game airs on FOX, FOX One and FOX Deportes, while ESPN Radio has national radio coverage, according to MLB’s schedule.
What time is Rays vs. Brewers World Series Game 1?
First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee. The Brewers earned home-field advantage by finishing 103-59 in the regular season, ahead of the Rays’ 98-64 record, MLB said. Milwaukee will also host Game 2 and, if needed, Games 6 and 7.
There is history waiting on both sides. MLB says neither franchise has won a World Series title.
Misiorowski brings a 16-5 regular-season record and 1.80 ERA into the start, according to CBS Sports. His first two postseason outings were shorter: MLB said he allowed three runs and struck out 11 over 8 1/3 innings, without getting through five innings in either start.
What were the Brewers and Rays odds on Oct. 23?
The lines were moving and differed by book, so they should be treated as snapshots rather than live prices. An early-morning Oct. 23 comparison by RG.org put Tampa Bay’s moneyline between +150 and +164, while Milwaukee ranged from -182 to -196. ESPN’s Game 1 listing showed the Brewers at -193.
Published opinions on the 6.5-run total pointed in opposite directions. CBS Sports said SportsLine’s projection model favored the Over 6.5, estimating a 72.8% chance of seven or more combined runs after 10,000 simulations. A separate Sporting Tribune betting column selected Under 6.5. Those are outside assessments, not guarantees.
Knicks at Celtics leads the NBA action
New York visits Boston at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video, according to CBS Sports. CBS Sports’ model and RG.org’s Oct. 23 betting roundup each listed Celtics -2.5, though that spread could change before tipoff.
Other events listed by RG.org for Friday include Duke at Virginia at 7 p.m. ET, Tampa Bay Lightning at Colorado Avalanche at 9 p.m. ET, and Stuttgart versus Borussia Mönchengladbach at 2:30 p.m. ET. CBS Sports also listed Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs at 9:30 p.m. ET in Austin, Texas.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.