Since neither the Rays nor the Brewers has ever won a World Series, one of these two franchises will hoist its first ever championship flag. They’ll have a parade and players will raise the trophy in victory. And there will be joy all around.

It’s been a good time for fans of teams starving for championships. In the last ten years, three teams won their first ever championship: the Houston Astros in 2017, the Washington Nationals in 2019, and the Texas Rangers in 2023. Whoever wins this year will make it four in ten years.

In fact, only three times since 1920 has the matchup been between two teams that have never won it all. Cleveland versus Brooklyn in 1920, with Cleveland winning. Philadelphia versus Kansas City in 1980, with Philadelphia winning. And now. 

This is good for the sport. And brings hope. It brings joy. And, in typical MLB fashion, they’re going to flush all the hope and joy and good vibes down the toilet with a cruel lockout. 

There are currently five teams that have never won a championship: Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, Colorado, San Diego, and Seattle. After this, it will be four.

Maybe this ten-year run of first-time champions will bring hope to the final remaining four in the upcoming years. Because as Rangers fans experienced in 2023, it’s a glorious feeling.