Brewers Sweep Dodgers to Reach World Series; Guardians Take ALCS Lead
October 16, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the World Series for the first time since 1982, while the Cleveland Guardians have moved one step closer to joining them.
Milwaukee completed a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday with a 6–4 comeback victory. Cleveland defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3–2 to take a 2–1 lead in the American League Championship Series. apnews.com
Milwaukee ends a decades-long wait
The Brewers erased an early 4–0 deficit to finish off the Dodgers, ending Los Angeles’ bid for a third consecutive World Series championship. Shohei Ohtani’s three-run homer helped put the Dodgers ahead, but Milwaukee rallied behind timely offense and strong relief pitching.
Garrett Mitchell delivered the go-ahead home run in the sixth inning. Jake Bauers, whose contributions included a two-run double and a bases-loaded walk, earned NLCS Most Valuable Player honors. reuters.com
Milwaukee’s pennant follows a 103-win regular season and reverses last October’s disappointment, when the Dodgers swept the Brewers. Manager Pat Murphy’s club now has an opportunity to capture the first World Series championship in franchise history. apnews.com
Halpin’s homer lifts Cleveland
In the American League, Petey Halpin supplied the decisive swing with a two-run home run in the fifth inning, turning a Cleveland deficit into a lead.
Gavin Williams struck out nine over five innings, and Cleveland’s bullpen protected the advantage. Cade Smith recorded the save as Guardians pitchers limited Tampa Bay to three hits. Chandler Simpson’s two-run triple provided the Rays’ scoring. Cleveland needs two more victories to claim the pennant; Tampa Bay must win three. reuters.com
What comes next
ALCS Game 4 is Friday at 7 p.m. Central in Cleveland. The World Series opens October 23 in Milwaukee. mlb.com
Sources and full links
- Associated Press — Brewers sweep Dodgers to reach World Series
https://apnews.com/article/cfd30befcec42a035cbea5cae3bf746c - Reuters — Brewers rally to complete NLCS sweep
https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/brewers-rally-sweep-dodgers-earn-first-world-series-bid-since-82--flm-2026-10-16/ - Reuters — Guardians beat Rays to take 2–1 ALCS lead
https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/guardians-use-dominant-pitching-edge-rays-take-2-1-series-lead--flm-2026-10-15/ - MLB — Official postseason results and schedule
https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-mlb-playoff-and-world-series-schedule