FOX Weather Meteorologist Ian Oliver spoke with legendary pitcher and Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz about the unique relationship between weather and America’s favorite pastime.
TAKEAWAYS
- This will be only the second World Series between two teams with indoor ballparks.
- The Rays and Brewers led the Majors with 55 home wins each.
- Tampa Bay’s World Series is being held in its first season at Tropicana Field since Hurricane Milton devastated the stadium in 2024.
The 2026 World Series is set, with the Tampa Bay Rays facing the Milwaukee Brewers in the second Fall Classic only to take the fall season out of the equation.
This year’s game will be the second in major league history to feature two teams with indoor ballparks, following the 2023 series between the Rangers and Diamondbacks.
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The fickle weather of fall usually concludes a summer of play in idyllic conditions in spectacular fashion, generating unforgettable moments.
Boston’s Carlton Fisk blasted his home run in the 12th inning, with the October wind blowing from Fenway Park in Game 6 of the 1975 Series, which was postponed three days due to heavy rain.
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(Original caption) Carlton Fisk hits the ball in the 12th inning for a home run, winning the game 7-6 and tying the series 3-3.
(Bettmann/Getty Images)
The Chicago Cubs rallied in the 10th inning of Game 7 in 2016 to end a 108-year-old title drought after a 17-minute rain delay following a game-tying home run by Cleveland’s Rajai Davis.
These elements also brought their share of challenges and controversies.
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Bitter cold and snow froze Cleveland and Florida players in Game 4 of the 1997 Series, considered by many to be one of the coldest games in World Series history.
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 22: Moises Alou of the Florida Marlins during Game 4 of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field on October 22, 1997 in Cleveland, Ohio.
((Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Rays fans, of course, remember the rain-marred 2008 Series, when Tampa Bay tied Game 5 in the top of the sixth, before pouring rain led to the first suspended game in Fall Classic history, which the Phillies ended up winning when play resumed two days later.
PHILADELPHIA – OCTOBER 27: Jimmy Rollins #11 (R) of the Philadelphia Phillies and BJ Upton #2 of the Tampa Bay Rays stand on the rain-soaked field in the top of the sixth inning during Game 5 of the 2008 MLB World Series on October 27, 2008 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
((Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
But this year, the teams with the best results in their respective leagues will compete without weather being a factor.
For Tampa, their World Series run comes in its first season at Tropicana Field since Hurricane Milton devastated the stadium in 2024.
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – APRIL 01: Ben Williamson #15 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a double play as Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers slides to second base during the sixth inning at American Family Field on April 01, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
((Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) / Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the two home stadiums have been major advantages, with the Rays and Brewers tied with 55 home wins – the most in the majors.
HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER
Game 1 begins Friday at American Family Field in Milwaukee at 8 p.m. ET
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