MILWAUKEE - Five former St. Louis Cardinals players will be competing in the 2026 World Series. That group includes two from the Milwaukee Brewers and three from the Tampa Bay Rays.

The 2026 World Series begins Friday. Either the Brewers or the Rays will become first-time champions in this year's best-of-seven Fall Classic.

Five former Cardinals made the World Series rosters, and at least two will win a World Series championship.

On The Brewers

• Cardinals stats (March-July 2026): 5-7 record, 4.38 ERA, 106 strikeouts, 21 starts, 109 innings pitched

• 2026 stats (Cardinals + Brewers): 7-9 record, 4.70 ERA, 144 strikeouts, 31 starts, 145.2 innings pitched

• Postseason (2026): 6.43 ERA, 5 strikeouts, 3 games, 1 start, 7 innings pitched

• Cardinals stats (2022-2026): 16-14 record, 3.07 ERA, 207 strikeouts, 12 saves, 249 innings pitched

• 2026 stats (Cardinals + Brewers): 3-3 record, 3.36 ERA, 54 strikeouts, 10 starts, 56.1 innings pitched

• Postseason (2026): 2-1 record, 1.69 ERA, 9 strikeouts, 4 games, 5.1 innings pitched

The Cardinals traded May and Romero to the Brewers for multiple prospects at the trade deadline. Both have played pivotal roles in the bullpen throughout the 2026 postseason, especially Romero.

On The Rays

• Cardinals stats (2022-2025): 15-14 record, 4.24 ERA, 232 strikeouts, 84 games, 36 starts, 252.1 innings pitched

• 2026 stats (Rays): 6-6 record, 5.49 ERA, 61 strikeouts, 36 games, 11 starts, 80.1 innings pitched

• Postseason (2026): 0.00 ERA, 2 strikeouts, 1 game, 2 innings pitched

• Cardinals stats (2023): .258 batting average, 6 home runs, 16 RBI, 9 runs scored, 2 stolen bases

• 2026 stats (Rays): .235 batting average, 10 home runs, 57 RBI, 51 runs scored, 17 stolen bases

• Postseason (2026): .364 batting average, 0 home runs, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored, 1 stolen bases

• Cardinals stats (2025): .077 batting average, 0 home runs, 0 RBI, 1 run scored, 0 stolen bases

• 2026 stats (Rays): .245 batting average, 11 home runs, 43 RBI, 28 runs scored, 3 stolen bases

• Postseason (2026): .200 batting average, 1 home run, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 0 stolen bases

Matz was the longest-tenured former Cardinal among the Rays group and has offered flexibility as a starter and relief pitcher. Palacios, a one-year Cardinal, has settled in as the Rays' primary second baseman down the stretch and had several key hits in the first two rounds of playoffs. Vilade briefly played for the Cardinals last year. Matz and Vilade are first-year Rays. Palacios has played for Tampa Bay since 2024.

And One More (Kind Of)...

Jake Woodford, a Cardinals pitcher from 2020 to 2023, played for both the Brewers and the Rays in the 2026 MLB regular season. He last played for the Rays in September, but has been designated for assignment by both teams. He will not be rostered on either World Series team, but he will get a ring regardless because he played at least one regular season game for both Milwaukee and Tampa Bay this year.

How To Watch

FOX 2 will carry every broadcast of the 2026 World Series. First pitch for the Fall Classic is set for 7 p.m. CT Friday. Pregame coverage will begin at 6 p.m.

Anyone with access to FOX 2 through a cable plan or antenna can head to our primary channel to watch.

The series will feature at least four games (through Tuesday, Oct. 27) or could last up to seven games (through Saturday, Oct. 31).