cbssports
The Milwaukee Brewers continued their postseason rampage with a resounding 10-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. With the win, the Brewers hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series and remain undefeated in the playoffs, having won all seven games in the NLCS and World Series combined.
Milwaukee's offense exploded for 10 runs on 16 hits, while the Rays managed just one run on three hits, with their lone score coming in the ninth inning when the outcome was already decided. The Brewers' victory was so dominant that it evoked comparisons to a varsity-versus-junior-varsity matchup, with the Rays appearing overmatched from the outset.
Rookie sensation Jackson Chourio was the catalyst, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. The 22-year-old outfielder singled in each of his first three at-bats before doubling during an eight-run fifth inning that broke the game open. His performance made him the youngest player to record four hits in a World Series game since Joe Garagiola in 1946, a span of 80 years.
"You could say this is one of my better games," Chourio said through an interpreter. "I was just taking every at-bat like it could be my last and trying to find any way to get on base. Because I know, as long as I get on base, there's guys behind me who can score."
Brewers manager Pat Murphy was hardly surprised by Chourio's heroics. "Nobody's surprised that Jack Jack's doing this," Murphy said. "He's turning into a fine player. He's understanding what it takes, the discipline that it takes. He's coming into his own. Nobody's shocked. He's just really, really good. He's also played incredible defense, and he stole a base tonight. He's a total player. Like we talked about, you ask about Kobe Bryant and him. Kobe strived to get better and better and better every year because he was so disciplined. He was such a worker. He had such an attitude. Jackson's on that same track."
Chourio's all-around brilliance has been on full display this postseason. He is hitting .571 (8-for-14) in the World Series with two home runs, three stolen bases, and stellar defense, including a crucial assist at home plate in Game 2. Despite being limited to 127 games during the regular season due to injury, he still accumulated 4.9 WAR and has already achieved three 20-20 seasons (home runs and stolen bases) in his young career.
The Brewers' roster construction has been masterful, blending reclamation projects like Jake Bauers with homegrown talents like Game 3 starter Robert Gasser and blue-chip prospects like Chourio. Milwaukee's player development system has consistently produced contributors from all avenues, and Chourio may be the crown jewel.
Chourio is signed to a team-friendly contract through 2031 with club options through 2033, ensuring he will be the face of the franchise for years to come. While he may not finish high in MVP voting this season, he could very well become a perennial contender for the award starting next year.
The Rays, meanwhile, have been thoroughly outclassed. Their only semblance of a threat came in Game 2 when they scored four runs in the first inning but failed to score again in a 5-4 loss. Since then, they have been held scoreless for 17 consecutive innings, and their offense has been virtually nonexistent. Tampa Bay managed just one hit through the first eight innings of Game 3, with their lone run coming on two hits in the ninth.
With the series now firmly in their grasp, the Brewers are on the verge of making history. No team has ever swept both the NLCS and World Series since the playoff format expanded, and Milwaukee can become the first to do so with a win in Game 4. The 1976 Cincinnati Reds, who swept both rounds, played only a five-game NLCS and thus won seven games total; the Brewers have already matched that win total and can surpass it.
As the series continues, all eyes will be on Chourio, who has embraced the spotlight with poise and confidence beyond his years. His talent, swagger, and work ethic have drawn comparisons to Kobe Bryant, and his performance on the biggest stage has only solidified his status as a rising superstar. For the Brewers, the future is now, and it looks incredibly bright.
Originally reported by cbssports.