The Fall Classic is underway, and the Milwaukee Brewers have taken the early lead. The Brewers were able to hold off a late Rays rally to take Game 1 of the World Series 3-2 on Friday night.

Trevor Megill, Milwaukee’s closer, got himself into quite a jam in the ninth inning, loading the bases with one out and a two-run lead. He got Liam Hicks to ground into what seemed like a game-ending double-play, but replay revealed that shortstop Cooper Pratt’s foot had come off of second base prior to receiving the initial feed. The runner at second was called safe, the runner at first was out, and Tampa’s second run of the day had scored.

That made it a one-run lead with two outs and Jonny DeLuca at the plate. But rather than becoming a iconic moment in Rays history, Megill was able to win the battle, striking out DeLuca to secure the victory.

That sets the stage for Game 2 tonight at 8 p.m. Drew Rasmussen is on the bump for Tampa. The 31-year-old has been terrific this year, posting a 2.67 ERA over 172 innings in the regular season and then dominating in the postseason as well with a 1.29 ERA over 21 frames. Perhaps, if it was really even necessary, there is the added incentive for Rasmussen to pitch well against his former club. After making his big league debut earlier that season, he was dealt from Milwaukee to Tampa back in 2021 as part of the Willy Adames deal.

As the World Series inches closer to a conclusion, baseball will be faced with the hard reality we have all been concerned about for years now. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred re-affirmed just prior to first pitch last night that he was off the opinion that the league needed a salary cap. Obviously, the players and MLBPA disagree. A lockout is coming. How long it lasts, no one really knows.

That likely future could make the typical offseason calendar rather useless. MLB free agency will technically start five days after the World Series ends. But most players don’t sign anywhere until after Thanksgiving. The lockout is set to start on December 1. And the possibility that the league will be implementing a salary cap of some sort makes it almost impossible for some front offices to sign major contracts until they know what sort of budget they are working within.

Enjoy these few days where the focus will be on the field. Because once it’s over, we might instead be fixated on some office building in New York for the months that follow.

Can Jared Banner fix the Orioles? Here’s what his mentors said. | The Banner
The Orioles front office needs fresh perspective. It seems like Banner can provide that. But Mike Elias is still going to be the chief baseball decision maker. One change to an underling can only do so much.

Rising prospect Anderson wraps strong season with stellar homecoming | Orioles.com
It was nice to see Ethan Anderson take a step forward this past season. He’s a switch hitter that seems to have really found himself at the plate this last year. Finding a spot for him on the field could be an issue. The Orioles want him to catch, but there are questions about his ability back there. He may have no choice if he stays in the organization since Pete Alonso won’t be leaving any time soon at first base.

Orioles infield coach Miguel Cairo on Gunnar Henderson: “I want to have 26 guys like that’ | Baltimore Baseball
A team of 26 Gunnar Henderson’s would probably be pretty light on pitching, but I take Cairo’s point. Gunnar is a gamer. He cares. And he is super talented. He also needs to sort out some things at the plate to get back to the MVP level he expected to be at the last two years.

Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!

Colin Selby turns 29 today. The bearded reliever pitched in 14 games for the Orioles between 2024 and ‘25. He remained in the organization for 2026 as well, but did not get on the field due to labrum and rotator cuff injuries that eventually needed surgery.Omar Quintanilla is 45 years old. He bounced around the league as a utility infielder for nearly a decade. That included a 36-game stay with the Orioles in 2012.Arthur Rhodes is 57 today. The southpaw was a key part of the Orioles pitching staff from 1991 through ‘99, eventually transitioning from the rotation to the bullpen. In total he tossed 622.1 innings for the O’s across nine seasons.Dave Johnson turns 67. The Baltimore native would spend parts of three seasons with the Orioles from 1989-91, most often working as a starter. Over 353.1 innings with the O’s, Johnson had a 4.84 ERA. His son, Steve, would later pitch for the Orioles as well, and Johnson himself would be a contributor to MASN and the Orioles Radio Network well after his playing career ended.

This day in O’s history

It’s been a slow date in Orioles history, according to Baseball Reference. So, instead, here are some happenings from beyond Birdland:

1926 – Harry Houdini’s last performance takes place at the Garrick Theatre in Detroit.

1931 – The George Washington Bridge opens to public traffic over the Hudson River.

1946 – A camera on board the V-2 No. 13 rocket takes the first photograph of earth from outer spcae.

1992 – The Toronto Blue Jays become the first Major League Baseball Team based outside of the United States to win the World Series.

2003 – The Concorde supersonic airliner makes its last commercial flight.

2004 – Arsenal Football Club loses to Manchester United, ending a row of 49 matches unbeaten, a Premier League record.