Brewers-Rays World Series Game 2 Matchup By The Numbers

[Steve Drumwright]

 

Following a thrilling 3-2 victory in Game 1 of the 2026 World Series, the Milwaukee Brewers will be looking to protect their home-field advantage in a fascinating pitching matchup in Game 2.

The Brewers will send rookie right-hander Logan Henderson to the mound to start Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Rays (7 p.m. CT, Fox) as they look to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Henderson has started Game 2 in each of the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres and the NL Championship Series vs. the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Henderson was better in the NLDS, when he limited the Padres to two runs (one earned) on two hits and three walks while striking out four in five-plus innings. Against the Dodgers, Henderson made it two batters into the fifth inning, giving up four runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks with a pair of strikeouts. Henderson was hit own worst enemy in that game as he made not one, but two throwing errors, one on a pickoff attempt that allowed a run and another on a bunt that led to a run.

Regardless, Henderson has had a tremendous rookie season. He had a 3.32 FIP (2.47 ERA) over 18 starts and 98⅓ innings and a walk rate of 5.1% and a strikeout rate of 29.6%. Henderson has not faced the Rays in his brief career, but has faced a pair of Rays hitters. Those are catcher Liam Hicks and backup center fielder Cedric Mullins. Henderson faced Hicks this year when the catcher was still with the Miami Marlins. That came July 17 at American Family Field with Hicks going 0-for-2 with a strikeout. The game against Mullins came last year when he was with the Baltimore Orioles. In that game, Mullins also went 0-for-2 with a strikeout.

The Rays had seven hits in Game 1 of the World Series, with Jonathan Aranda going 3-for-3. He seemed at ease in facing the high heat from Jacob Misiorowski and is slashing .316/.395/.395 this postseason, so a hitter to focus on. Chandler Simpson had two hits and was on the back end of a double steal in the ninth inning as the Rays put the pressure on Brewers right-handed closer Trevor Megill. Simpson seemed to sustain a minor knee or hamstring injury during his ninth-inning plate appearance, but obviously remained in the game and stole a base. It didn't seem like anything that should impact his availability for Game 2 or beyond, but something to monitor.

Logan Henderson vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Current Batters Table

Rk	Player	B	PA	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	SH	SF	IBB	HBP	GIDP
1	Liam Hicks	L	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0	0	0	0
2	Cedric Mullins	L	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0	0	0	0

Provided by Stathead: Found with Stathead. See Full Results.
Generated 10/23/2026.

After surprisingly not getting the Game 1 assignment to get an extra day of rest, ace right-hander Drew Rasmussen will start for the Rays. Rasmussen is a former highly touted Brewers prospect who was shipped to the Rays in the 2021 deal in which the Brewers landed shortstop Willy Adames. Wound up being a good horse trade, but now one that the Brewers will have to deal with the player they dealt away.

Rasmussen has come into his own the last two seasons, but only after having three surgeries on his right elbow. Two of those were Tommy John surgeries that came before the trade while he was at Oregon State, the other was an internal brace procedure in the 2023 season, allowing him to return at the end of the 2024 campaign. Rasmussen has been an All-Star this year and last. While he received AL Cy Young votes last year, he was much better in 2026. Rasmussen went 16-5 with a 2.82 FIP (2.67 ERA) with a stellar 4.8% walk rate and solid 26% strikeout rate.

He has faced the Brewers twice in his career, including April 1 this year at American Family Field. He went five innings, giving up two runs (one earned), striking out eight while allowing three hits and a walk. Brice Turang homered off him. Jake Bauers has seen Rasmussen the most, going 3-for-8 with a walk and three strikeouts. William  Contreras is the only other Brewer on the World Series roster with two hits vs. Rasmussen, those coming in six plate appearances that include a solo homer and a walk.

The Brewers showed excellent patience in Game 1 by drawing four walks against a team that doesn't walk many. Contreras and Jackson Chourio had a pair of hits in the Series opener.

Drew Rasmussen vs. Milwaukee Brewers: Current Batters Table

Rk	Player	B	PA	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	SH	SF	IBB	HBP	GIDP
1	Jake Bauers	L	9	8	3	0	0	0	0	1	3	.375	.444	.375	.819	0	0	0	0	0
2	William Contreras	R	6	5	2	0	0	1	1	1	0	.400	.500	1.000	1.500	0	0	0	0	0
3	Sal Frelick	L	5	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0	0	0	0
4	Brice Turang	L	5	4	1	0	0	1	2	1	0	.250	.400	1.000	1.400	0	0	0	0	0
5	Joey Ortiz	R	4	4	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.250	.250	.250	.500	0	0	0	0	0
6	Gary Sánchez	R	4	4	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	.250	.250	.500	.750	0	0	0	0	0
7	Christian Yelich	L	4	4	1	0	0	1	1	0	2	.250	.250	1.000	1.250	0	0	0	0	0
8	Jackson Chourio	R	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0	0	0	0
9	David Hamilton	L	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0	0	0	0
10	Garrett Mitchell	L	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.500	.500	.500	1.000	0	0	0	0	0
11	Bo Naylor	L	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000	0	0	0	0	0

Provided by Stathead: Found with Stathead. See Full Results.
Generated 10/23/2026.

 

Image courtesy of Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

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