Rays face elimination in World Series Game 5

The Tampa Bay Rays host the Milwaukee Brewers at Tropicana Field on Wednesday evening in an attempt to avoid elimination from the World Series. The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET. A victory would force a Game 6 in Milwaukee on Friday, while a loss would end the Rays' season.

The series stands at 3-1 in favor of the Brewers. Milwaukee won the first three games, including a 10-1 victory on Monday. In that game, the Brewers scored eight runs in the fifth inning. Before that, Milwaukee rallied from a four-run deficit to win Game 2, 5-4. The Rays won Tuesday's Game 4, 4-3, after two runs in the bottom of the 12th inning.

Junior Caminero initiated the winning rally in the 12th inning when he reached first base on a fielding error. Ben Williamson then hit a game-winning single to right field. The Rays had previously tied the game twice during regulation. Chandler Simpson and Jonny DeLuca scored in the second inning to give Tampa Bay an early lead. Cooper Pratt's RBI double tied the game in the fourth inning. Junior Caminero scored on an infield grounder from DeLuca to restore the Rays' lead. David Hamilton's solo home run in the fifth inning tied the game again.

Jacob Misiorowski will start for the Brewers in Game 5. The right-hander started Game 1, allowing one run on four hits over five innings in a 3-2 win. Tampa Bay had not announced its starting pitcher as of Wednesday morning. The Rays used a deep bullpen in Game 4, throwing through twelve innings. Managing the pitching staff is a key consideration for the team's front office and coaching staff.

Historical data shows that the odds for Tampa Bay remain low. No team has ever won a World Series after falling behind 3-0. In the previous 25 World Series where a team held a 3-0 lead, that team won the championship. Four teams have won Game 4 after losing the first three, but all four lost Game 5 and were eliminated. The only team to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series is the 2004 Boston Red Sox, who beat the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

If the Rays win Wednesday, the series will move to American Family Field in Milwaukee for Game 6 on Friday, October 30. A Game 7 would take place on Saturday, October 31, at the same venue. The Rays entered the World Series seeking their first franchise championship. The Brewers are currently one win away from their own first title. The game will air on FOX and FOX Deportes and stream on FOX One and YouTube TV.