Rays End 2026 Season With 98 Wins After World Series Loss

The Tampa Bay Rays concluded their 2026 season with 98 regular season victories and a total of 106 wins including the postseason. The franchise set a new record for total wins in a single year. The season ended with a 4-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5 of the World Series.

Manager Kevin Cash stated he was disappointed by the result but found the loss easier to process due to the team's strong bond. He noted that the group supported each other throughout the month of October. Cash said, "I'm crushed right now, disappointed. But it's easier to handle because of what we all meant to each other throughout the course of this season and certainly this last month in October."

The pitching strategy in the final game reflected the team's cautious approach. Drew Rasmussen started on three days of rest for the first time in his career as a full starter. Cash limited Rasmussen to four innings or 60 pitches, whichever came first. Rasmussen used only 48 pitches and allowed one run in four innings. Cash replaced him with Kevin Kelly in the fifth inning.

Rasmussen said the organization protected his health while asking him to perform. He has had three major elbow surgeries in the past decade. Rasmussen said, "This organization, man, it's the best. They always look out for me. They were doing their best to protect me, and unfortunately, their biggest enemy is myself."

The Rays had the best record in the American League from late June through the end of the regular season. They defeated the New York Yankees in the Division Series and the Cleveland Guardians in the Championship Series. The team previously faced expectations to finish fifth in the division after two consecutive fourth place finishes.

Tampa Bay returned to Tropicana Field this season after playing at a Yankees facility in 2025 due to damage from Hurricane Milton. The team relied on high contact rates, bunting, and base running. They finished second in stolen bases in the major leagues. Junior Caminero, Yandy Diaz, and Jonathan Aranda led the offense. Caminero said in Spanish that the Brewers played very good baseball and that the Rays gave their best effort.

Closer Bryan Baker praised the group's unity. He said, "I'm really just proud. I'm just proud to be part of this group." Baker pitched a scoreless eighth inning in the final game after working two frames the day before. The team celebrated their achievements in the clubhouse after the final out.