Brewers vs. Rays World Series Game 3: Freddy Peralta set to start for Milwaukee’s foes at Tropicana Field

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Milwaukee and Tampa Bay will meet for Game 3 of the 2026 World Series on Monday night at Tropicana Field, with Major League Baseball confirming the game-time broadcast window and the expected pitching matchup. First pitch is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will air nationally on FOX and FOX Deportes, with streaming available on FOX One. The contest will also be available via MLB.TV in the United States with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider, while MLB notes it will not be available in Canada.

For the pitching side of the matchup, MLB’s World Series FAQ lists Tampa Bay right-hander Freddy Peralta as the starter opposite Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser. MLB frames the matchup as a pivotal Game 3 in the best-of series, with Tampa Bay aiming to respond after the first two games and Milwaukee attempting to move closer to a franchise first. Peralta is noted as the ALCS MVP in the same FAQ, and MLB characterizes him as returning to a dominant form after the late-August stretch.

Per MLB, Peralta enters the Game 3 start with a record of 7-0 and a 0.89 ERA in his last 10 games (including nine starts) since Aug. 26. MLB also includes recent home-dome performance for Peralta, listing a 1.45 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 14 walks in 37 1/3 innings over seven starts at Tropicana Field, since he joined Tampa Bay at the Trade Deadline. The FAQ adds that Tampa Bay provided Peralta with extra rest following his third and final appearance of the ALCS, aiming to have him at his best for the series’ next critical start against Milwaukee.

On the Milwaukee side, the same MLB materials list Gasser as the expected starter with a 2-0 record and a 1.51 ERA in eight appearances since Aug. 26, covering both the regular season and postseason. MLB’s FAQ describes Gasser’s path to Milwaukee’s rotation as beginning at Triple-A Nashville earlier in the year, followed by a run that included starts in the clinching Game 4 of the NLDS against the Padres and Game 3 of the NLCS against the Dodgers. MLB also notes that Gasser took over Milwaukee’s NLCS start after Dustin May was struck by a comebacker on the first pitch, and that a “click” in his performance helped propel him into a spot alongside Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson in Milwaukee’s young starting group.

Milwaukee’s expected lineup for Game 3, as laid out by MLB’s FAQ, is led by Jackson Chourio in left field. Jake Bauers is set at first base, Christian Yelich at designated hitter, and William Contreras behind the plate. Brice Turang is listed at second base and Garrett Mitchell in center field, with Cooper Pratt at shortstop and Sal Frelick in right field. David Hamilton completes the group at third base, as the Brewers’ eighth-and-ninth slots are shaped to match up against Tampa Bay’s starter.

Tampa Bay’s projected lineup for Game 3 in the MLB FAQ features Yandy Díaz as the designated hitter, with Jonathan Aranda at first base. Ryan Vilade is set in right field, Junior Caminero at third base, and Chandler Simpson in left field. Jonny DeLuca is listed in center field and Ben Williamson at second base, while Nick Fortes is named as the catcher. Taylor Walls is expected to start at shortstop, rounding out the expected batting order for the Rays at Tropicana Field.

MLB’s FAQ also outlines how the bullpen workload may be approached after the starters. It states that Tampa Bay should be rested following Sunday’s off-day and suggests that the Rays could have their full set of late-inning options available, including closer Bryan Baker, who is described as being used in single-inning save bursts or game-ending scenarios. MLB’s materials also highlight Cam Booser as the team’s top left-handed bullpen option and note Tyler Wells as capable of multi-inning setup work, while Kevin Kelly is identified as drawing tougher right-handed matchups. MLB further indicates that Tampa Bay has used both frequent and low-usage arms earlier in the postseason and flags the remaining question of whether Griffin Jax will be used from the bullpen or saved for a potential Game 4 start.

For Milwaukee’s relief plans, MLB’s FAQ points to the recent distribution of bullpen duties, naming Aaron Ashby and Abner Uribe as central setup contributors after Uribe’s win in Game 2. MLB states that Ashby delivered a five-out save in Game 2 that kept closer Trevor Megill off the night, and it notes that the Brewers have been credited with eight saves across the postseason through their first 10 games. MLB characterizes the Brewers’ bullpen early-season postseason performance with a 1.24 ERA through the first 10 games of the current postseason run.

Before Game 3, MLB’s FAQ lists the injury status being carried into the matchup. Tampa Bay is described as having no new concerns beyond a postseason ruling-out of starter Shane McClanahan, with MLB noting he is expected to be ready next spring. For Milwaukee, the primary question marks center on Brandon Woodruff, who has not appeared in Games 1 or 2 after being added to the World Series roster, according to MLB. The FAQ adds that Woodruff has not pitched since July 4 and that he spent the previous two nights seeking advice from Ashby, including Ashby’s own bullpen availability pattern leading into the World Series.