Brewers broadcaster previews World Series matchup with Rays

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WBAY) — Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Josh Maurer previewed Game 1 and Game 2 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays with us on Action 2 Livestream at American Family Field Wednesday morning.

Maurer, who has been with the Brewers broadcast crew for five years, said the team’s run to the World Series comes after years of near misses.

On the team reaching the World Series

Maurer said he thinks about fans who have waited decades to see the Brewers play in a World Series.

“I think about people that have been around well longer than I have who have not been able to see the Brewers play in a World Series. And that’s what gets me really excited,” Maurer said. “The people that have waited all those decades for a moment like this, and seeing the videos and pictures shared of the way that everybody celebrated winning game four in Los Angeles last Thursday night, it just makes you — it warms your heart to see what a team can do for a city.”

Maurer said seeing the way people across the state have embraced the team has been a highlight.

“I think that’s what’s the coolest part of it for me is seeing the way that everybody in the state has embraced this team and the love that they’ve shown. I think the players feel that, too. It really helps them,” Maurer said.

On facing the Rays

Maurer noted that, unlike the Brewers’ series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the matchup with Tampa Bay does not carry the same contrast in market size, since the Rays are “a very similar type of franchise.”

Neither the Brewers nor the Rays have won a World Series. Maurer said it is the first time since 1980 that two teams who have never won a title are meeting in the World Series.

“So we are guaranteed to have a first time winner, which I think is pretty cool,” Maurer said. “But it’s going to be a tough series because Tampa was the best team in the American League this season, so you have the best in the National League versus the best in the American League. Two teams that are very similar stylistically and the way that their rosters have been constructed, even the philosophies of the organizations are kind of in lockstep. So I really think that this is a tough, close matchup.”

On Freddy Peralta’s return to Milwaukee

Maurer discussed pitcher Freddy Peralta, a former Brewers fan favorite who was traded to the New York Mets before being traded to Tampa Bay in July. Peralta is expected to start Game 2 in Milwaukee on Saturday night.

“I’m kind of hoping that the Brewers fans got that big warm welcome out of the way. Because if he pitches game two here on Saturday night, I don’t know that we need to make him feel welcomed. You know he doesn’t need to feel comfortable,” Maurer said. “Let’s try to get under Freddy’s skin a little bit. As much as we love him, because he has been unbelievable ever since he got to Tampa Bay, he was the most valuable player of that American League Championship series. So Freddy’s pitching about as well as he ever has right now. And I think the Brewers know that when he’s on the mound, they’re going to have their hands full.”

On the Brewers’ historic season

Maurer pointed to the team’s 103-win regular season and its playoff run as standout moments.

“You’re right, 103 wins in the regular season, which is unprecedented for this organization. It’s one of the best seasons any team has ever had,” Maurer said. “But the way that they have come back time and again in the playoffs — so they’ve had to win seven games to get to the World Series, and every single one except one game they’ve trailed, they’ve had to come from behind.”

Maurer cited specific moments, including William Contreras’ go-ahead home run in the series opener against the San Diego Padres, when a potential go-ahead hit by the Padres hit the ballpark roof and was caught. He also cited Jackson Chourio’s game-winning hit against Athletics closer Mason Miller.

“Every game of that Dodgers series, the comeback seemed to get better than the previous day,” Maurer said. “Going to LA last week, they scored the last five runs of the game to win game three, and then they scored the last six runs of the game to win game four. They were losing four nothing and they win 6 to 4. So the comeback nature of these games, I think, is what stands out to me. Most recently it shows they’re just never out of the fight.”

On expectations for the World Series

Maurer said the Brewers swept the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, a result he said many did not expect. He said fans should not assume the same outcome against Tampa Bay.

“Another sweep would be great. Hard to expect that. As I said, Tampa is really good. These might be the best two teams in baseball,” Maurer said. “If you look at it from start to finish, and it’s been seven months since we started this season, that’s how long it goes if you make it this far in baseball — you play in seven months. I think you have two similarly constructed rosters. And again, like I said, the organizational philosophies of just the way that they do things and the way that they play the game, they’re so kind of in lockstep with each other that it makes me think you’re going to have kind of similar to those first two series that we saw.”

Maurer said fans should expect close, low-scoring games that depend on pitching and defense, with the potential for late, come-from-behind hits.

“I would advise Brewers fans to have a lot of Maalox, you know, or Tums or whatever. You need to calm the stomach, have that ready because I think they’re going to be really stressful games,” Maurer said. “But what a privilege it is to experience that stress and to be cheering for this team.”

Game 1 of the World Series between the Brewers and Rays is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at American Family Field.