The Tampa Bay Rays staved off elimination with a 4-3, 12-inning victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday, cutting the Brewers' series lead to 3-1. The win improved the Rays' historical comeback odds from 2.4% when down 3-0 to 14.6% now that they trail 3-1. Only one team in MLB postseason history — the 2004 Boston Red Sox — has overcome a 3-0 deficit, while 14 of 96 teams have rallied from 3-1. Teams down 3-1 hold a .500 record in Game 5, setting up a pivotal contest on Wednesday.
Rays' pitching plan under scrutiny
Manager Kevin Cash deployed seven pitchers in Game 4, leaving the bullpen taxed for another elimination game. Starter Drew Rasmussen will work on short rest for Game 5, though his previous short-rest outings were as an opener. Nick Martinez, originally slated to start Game 5, threw 33 pitches in two scoreless relief innings on Tuesday. Griffin Jax's 74-pitch start likely rules him out. Relievers Cole Sulser, Steven Matz, and Garrett Cleavinger did not pitch Tuesday and are available, while Bryan Baker and Kevin Kelly are also expected to be ready. Ian Seymour's 32-pitch effort may sideline him, and Tyler Wells and Cameron Booser have pitched on consecutive days. Cash's decisions on innings distribution could determine the Rays' fate.
Misiorowski's form on standard rest
Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski, the 24-year-old NL Cy Young favorite, makes his fourth postseason start on normal four days' rest after allowing one run over five innings in Game 1 on 11 days' rest. He showed a velocity increase in that outing, but his workload is at a career high for 2026. Milwaukee will need length from him after heavy bullpen use in Game 4.
Caminero's injury status
Rays slugger Junior Caminero left Game 4 in the 12th inning with a left foot injury. Cash said Wednesday that Caminero is "fine" and in the lineup, though he has been managing lower-extremity issues. The 23-year-old has one home run in 48 postseason at-bats (.717 OPS) after hitting 42 homers in the regular season (one every 14.7 at-bats). His power could be crucial if the Rays hope to extend the series.
