The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays opened the 2026 World Series with a 3-2 game that featured a statistical rarity not seen in a Fall Classic opener in 26 years.

The Brewers secured the win Friday night at American Family Field, taking a 1-0 series lead in the franchise’s first World Series appearance since 1982.

The Brewers scored twice in the first inning and added a run in the seventh before holding off the Rays’ ninth-inning rally. Tampa Bay had the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position when Trevor Megill struck out Jonny DeLuca to seal Milwaukee’s victory.

Beyond the result, the opener featured an unusual distinction involving how both teams generated their offense.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale highlighted the historical significance on X, formerly Twitter, early Saturday, identifying what separated this matchup from nearly every World Series opener since 1987:

“This was the first time since the 2000 World Series that no one homered in Game 1 of a World Series, and just the second time since 1987.”

The previous World Series Game 1 without a home run came when the New York Yankees faced the New York Mets in 2000.

Milwaukee built its early lead when Christian Yelich tripled home Jackson Chourio in the first inning. William Contreras followed with a single to left that scored Yelich.

Chourio added an RBI single in the seventh, bringing home Cooper Pratt for what became the decisive run.

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The Rays scored on Liam Hicks groundouts in the fourth and ninth innings but finished 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Contreras also threw out two runners attempting to steal.

A replay review prolonged the ninth when an apparent game-ending double play was overturned because Pratt’s right foot was slightly off second base.

This is the first World Series since 1980 featuring two franchises seeking their first championship.

The Brewers lead the series entering Saturday’s Game 2 at American Family Field, scheduled for 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on FOX.