Brewers to face off against former hitting coach in World Series matchup with Rays

The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays’ World Series matchup represents more than a clash between the two teams with the best regular-season records in their respective leagues; it's an opportunity for both franchises to win their first championship.

Additionally, there is a lengthy list of connections among players, coaches, and front office that adds another compelling layer to the series. Freddy Peralta, the ALCS MVP, was a long-time Brewer, but will now face his former team on baseball's biggest stage less than one year after being traded. Additionally, Drew Rasmussen was formerly a highly touted prospect in Milwaukee's farm system who made his MLB debut with the team during the shortened 2020 season, but was dealt in 2021 as a key piece in the Willy Adames deal. Meanwhile, Jake Bauers, who was the NLCS MVP, made his MLB debut in 2018 as a member of the Rays, before being traded in a three-team deal that netted Tampa Bay Yandy Díaz.

Brewers' president of baseball operations Matt Arnold spent nine years in Tampa's front office before coming over to Milwaukee in 2015 as vice president and assistant general manager to David Stearns. Arnold then took over as the head of baseball operations in 2022 after Stearns stepped down. Arnold's connection to the Rays and his relationship with the Rays' current front office head, Erik Neander, is likely a large reason as to why the sides have come together on quite a few trades over the years, including Milwaukee receiving Danny Jansen in 2025, Aaron Civale in 2024, and both Willy Adames and Mike Brosseau in 2021.

On the coaching front, Ozzie Timmons is in his second stint with the Rays, an organization that gave him his first coaching opportunity in 2007. In between his Rays tenures, he had a three-season run with the Brewers as co-hitting coach alongside Connor Dawson. The two sides parted ways after the 2024 season, paving the way for his return to the Rays as an assistant hitting coach.

Rays and Brewers' similar style of play reinforced by front office, coaching staff connections

The Brewers and Rays share a similar offensive philosophy, built around getting on base, making consistent contact, and using speed to keep defenses under pressure. During the regular season, Timmons’ Rays struck out fewer times than any other team in the league, tied the Brewers for the league’s best team batting average, ranked second in total hits (behind only Milwaukee), third in stolen bases, and fifth in on-base percentage.

Although the Rays’ offense didn’t score nearly as many runs as the Brewers during the regular season, Tampa Bay does have several players capable of changing a game with one swing. Junior Caminero leads the charge, while Jonathan Aranda and Yandy Díaz provide legitimate power threats in the lineup.

That said, it’s been the Brewers’ bats that have risen to the occasion this postseason, slugging a league-best 10 home runs. The long ball can be a game-changer in October, often making the difference when the stakes are highest. With both teams built around getting on base and applying constant pressure, timely power could once again prove decisive in the World Series. Milwaukee will look to keep its former hitting coach’s offense in check as it aims to bring home its first championship.

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