The 2026 World Series is now set, with the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers set to face off after the former clinched the ALCS on Monday.

Following Milwaukee's 4-0 sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, which saw the Brewers dump the back-to-back MLB champions out of the postseason to make the World Series, Tampa Bay followed suit, with the Rays beating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 on Monday night to clinch the ALCS.

In a weird turn of events, the Rays' ALCS victory came on the exact date 18 years ago, Oct. 19, that Tampa Bay punched their ticket to their first World Series back in 2008, with the franchise now bidding to win their first World Series title.

The World Series, which is due to get underway later this week on Friday, Oct. 23, will also see the Brewers bidding to win their first championship, guaranteeing that one of them will be crowned World Series champions for the first time.

The last time two franchises, both seeking their first title, met was the 1980 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Kansas City Royals, which the Phillies won.

Speaking following the Rays series victory, Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said, "This group, they’ve been a complete joy to be around all season long. I know they’re very, very motivated.

"I heard the line that we don’t have any Hall of Famers in that room right now -- we might, but not yet. But I can assure you we have a lot of gamers, and we’re excited to get up there to Milwaukee."

Freddy Peralta, who was named the ALCS MVP for his dominant performances against the Guardians, added, "This is unbelievable.

"I think I have to see it when I go home tonight and start thinking about it, because I am still in shock. I don't believe it."

Game 1 of the World Series gets underway on Friday night, with the Brewers hosting Tampa Bay at American Family Field. With Tampa Bay clinching the ALCS on Monday night with a Game 6 win, the Rays will need to rest up for Game 1, while Milwaukee is much more rested.

Tampa Bay will have three days to rest and prepare for the World Series, while the Brewers will come off eight days of rest after closing out the NLCS last Thursday against the Dodgers.

Game 2 will also be played in Milwaukee before the World Series heads south to Tampa Bay for Games 3 and 4 at Tropicana Field.