The Milwaukee Brewers, coming off a series sweep of the Chicago White Sox to begin the season, will look to continue their momentum against the Tampa Bay Rays at American Family Field this week. The Brewers got off to a great start, outscoring Chicago 29-10 in the series, including a 14-2 Opening Day victory, a 6-1 Saturday night win, and a 9-7 comeback win Sunday.
On the other side, the Rays have gotten out to a semi-disappointing start, dropping two of three to the Cardinals this weekend. While they outscored St. Louis 23-22, they only have one win to show for it.
Just one series into the season, and the Brewers are already without a few key players, as Andrew Vaughn and Jackson Chourio will both be out for a few weeks with hand injuries. Quinn Priester, Rob Zastryzny, and Craig Yoho are also on the IL, while outfielders Steward Berroa and Akil Baddoo will likely be sent to Triple-A whenever they’re ready to return (Berroa in April, Baddoo in June).
The Rays are without second baseman Gavin Lux, who is dealing with a shoulder impingement that’ll keep him shelved until mid-April. Relievers Edwin Uceta, Steven Wilson, and Ryan Pepiot are also on the IL, while infielder Taylor Walls is targeting a late April return with a rib and oblique injury.
Milwaukee’s offense without Chourio is anchored by William Contreras and Brice Turang. Sal Frelick, Joey Ortiz, Christian Yelich, and Jake Bauers have also played key roles early in the season, while Garrett Mitchell, Blake Perkins, Brandon Lockridge, Gary Sánchez, Jeferson Quero, David Hamilton, and Luis Rengifo round out the group.
The Rays’ offense is led by Junior Caminero, Jonathan Aranda, Yandy Díaz, Carson Williams, and new additions Cedric Mullins and Jake Fraley. They also have the fastest man in baseball with Chandler Simpson, along with depth pieces in Nick Fortes, Hunter Feduccia, Ryan Vilade, Richie Palacios, Ben Williamson, and Jonny DeLuca.
The Brewer bullpen is anchored by closer Trevor Megill, with Abner Uribe, Jared Koenig, Ángel Zerpa, and Aaron Ashby all setting him up. Grant Anderson, DL Hall, and Jake Woodford round out the bullpen.
For Tampa, the bullpen is anchored by Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger. Beyond those two, it’s something of a “who’s who,” including Bryan Baker, Cole Sulser, Ian Seymour, Mason Englert, Yoendrys Gómez, and Kevin Kelly.
Monday, March 30 @ 6:40 p.m.: LHP Kyle Harrison (5.79 spring ERA, 4.04 2025 ERA, 3.72 2025 FIP) vs. RHP Nick Martinez (14.49 spring ERA, 4.45 2025 ERA, 4.33 2025 FIP)
Kyle Harrison will make his Brewers debut Monday evening, as he’s set to go against Nick Martinez of the Rays. Harrison, still only 24, already has three seasons of MLB experience, with a career 4.39 ERA and 191 strikeouts over 194 2/3 innings. He split 2025 between the Giants and Red Sox, with a 4.04 ERA and 3.72 FIP. In four official spring outings, he had a 5.79 ERA with 20 strikeouts across 14 innings. He made one start against the Rays last September, allowing one run on four hits and a pair of walks with five strikeouts over six innings, taking a no-decision in a 6-3 Red Sox win.
Martinez, 35, is an eight-year MLB veteran with four seasons in Japan in the middle. He’s spent the last two years with the Reds, pitching to a 3.83 ERA, 3.81 FIP, and 232 strikeouts across 308 innings in Cincinnati. This marks his first start as a Ray after signing a one-year, $13 million deal with them this offseason. A familiar foe for Milwaukee, Martinez has made 11 appearances (six starts) against the Brewers, with a 4.65 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings. That includes three appearances last season, when he allowed nine runs (eight earned) over 9 1/3 innings.
Tuesday, March 31 @ 6:40 p.m.: RHP Brandon Woodruff (5.40 spring ERA, 3.20 2025 ERA, 3.17 2025 FIP) vs. LHP Shane McClanahan (2.08 spring ERA, 3.29 2023 ERA (last healthy season), 3.92 2023 FIP)
Woodruff, 33, will make his 2026 debut on Tuesday night, as he’ll go head-to-head with fellow injury-plagued veteran Shane McClanahan. After missing nearly two years due to injury, Woodruff returned in the middle of 2025, making 12 starts with a 3.20 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 83 strikeouts over 64 2/3 innings. He had a 5.40 ERA with seven strikeouts over five innings this spring. In three career starts against the Rays (all 2022 and earlier), he has a 1.96 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 18 1/3 innings.
McClanahan, a two-time All-Star and sixth-place Cy Young finisher in 2022, hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since 2023. When he’s been healthy, though, he’s been great, with a career 3.02 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 456 strikeouts over 404 2/3 innings. He made four starts this spring, totaling 13 innings with a 2.08 ERA and 15 strikeouts. His only start against Milwaukee came in 2023, when he went seven innings with no runs allowed and seven strikeouts.
Wednesday, April 1 @ 12:40 p.m.: RHP Jacob Misiorowski (1.80 ERA, 2.91 FIP) vs. TBD
Misiorowski, Milwaukee’s Opening Day starter, went five innings against the White Sox on Thursday, allowing a leadoff homer and nothing else as he struck out 11 batters, a franchise Opening Day record. The flamethrowing righty will look to build on that performance in his first career appearance against the Rays.
The Rays have not yet announced a starter for Wednesday’s series finale, but this would be Drew Rasmussen’s spot in the rotation. Tampa’s Opening Day starter allowed one run on four hits and no walks with a pair of strikeouts against the Cardinals, taking a no-decision in a game the Rays ultimately lost. The former Brewer draft pick was sent to Tampa Bay in the Willy Adames trade, and he’s had a very consistent career overall. He had a 2.76 ERA with 127 strikeouts over 150 innings last season, and he sports a career 2.88 ERA. His only appearance against Milwaukee came last May in Tampa, when he allowed three runs and struck out three over five innings in a loss.
Monday, March 30: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Tuesday, March 31: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Wednesday, April 1: Brewers TV; listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network (620 WTMJ in Milwaukee)
Despite a series loss in St. Louis, the Rays are still a middle-of-the-pack team fighting in a deep AL East. I think the Brewers take two of three to finish off a strong homestand.