Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson is the subject of a bold home run prediction ahead of Friday’s World Series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Simpson enters the Fall Classic without a home run in his major league career, despite establishing himself as a productive contact hitter and dangerous baserunner.

The rising Rays outfielder hit .306 across 151 games this season, driving in 38 runs and leading the American League with 46 stolen bases. None of his hits cleared the fence.

MLB Network’s Rob Parker offered a different outlook during Thursday’s “The Showdown” segment on MLB Now. The show’s official X account, formerly Twitter, shared his World Series prediction.

“My hot take is he's gonna hit a home run. He hasn't had a home run in the big leagues. Maybe it's a Bucky Dent moment. Maybe it's an Ozzie Smith moment in the playoffs where they come up with a guy who hits a home run where you're not expecting it.”

.@robparkerMLBbro's BOLD World Series prediction:

Chandler Simpson will hit a HOME RUN pic.twitter.com/RKw4CAS8fp

— MLB Now (@MLBNow) October 22, 2026

Simpson’s lack of power has been consistent throughout his career. He hit one minor league homer before batting .295 with 26 RBIs, 44 steals and no homers in 2025.

This season, he became the first qualified player to bat .300 without a home run since Luis Castillo accomplished the feat for the Marlins in 1999.

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The 25-year-old showed a glimpse of his power on March 21, launching a go-ahead, two-run homer over the right-field fence against the Minnesota Twins. However, the spring training blast does not count toward his official MLB home run total.

Simpson also delivered a two-run triple off Gavin Williams in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians. The 102.1 mph hit was the hardest-hit non-ground ball of his 265-game MLB career, a total that includes the postseason.

Friday’s opener begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FOX at American Family Field. Games 3 and 4 move to Tropicana Field on October 26 and 27.

Both the Rays and Brewers are pursuing their first World Series championship. For now, Simpson remains without a home run in MLB competition.