Brewers set for World Series opener — NL Central roundup

No NL Central club took the field yesterday, but the spotlight is squarely on the Milwaukee Brewers as they get ready to host the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series.

Brewers in the Fall Classic and in the headlines

Fresh off a 103-59 season that led the Central, the Brewers are four wins away from the first championship in franchise history. As CBS Sports notes, both Milwaukee and Tampa Bay have prior World Series experience, but neither has managed to finish the job.

CBS Sports reports that Jacob Misiorowski will start Game 1 for Milwaukee. The right-hander has taken the mound twice already this postseason and failed to complete five innings in either start, and he’ll be looking to reclaim his ace-level form on the biggest stage.

CBS Sports also lays out three reasons the Brewers are well positioned to finally win it all and offers World Series MVP odds and predictions for Brewers–Rays, highlighting Jackson Chourio and a standout reliever as notable contenders.

Off the field, CBS Sports says the Brewers are addressing a headache from their 2015 “Timeless Ticket” promotion, in which a $1,000 ticket was sold that could be redeemed for any future game. With the club now in the World Series, fans are reportedly trying to cash in those tickets for Fall Classic dates, forcing the team to clarify its stance.

Milwaukee is also a major talking point at MLB Trade Rumors. The site’s daily preview highlights former Brewer Freddy Peralta, now with the Mets after a prospects-for-Peralta trade, and its latest podcast episode breaks down the Brewers-Rays matchup and the road both clubs took to reach the World Series.

Cubs overhaul their international scouting arm

The Chicago Cubs, who finished 89-73, are busy off the field. MLB Trade Rumors reports they’re expected to bring in longtime Rays international scouting director Steve Miller as vice president of international scouting. Miller moved from the college coaching ranks into pro ball back in 2006, per the report.

In addition, MLB Trade Rumors notes that Cubs staffer Jason Kanzler is among the candidates for the Seattle Mariners’ managerial vacancy, joining Joe Espada and Rocco Baldelli on the reported list after the club parted ways with Dan Wilson last month.

Quiet day for Reds, Pirates and Cardinals

There’s nothing new on the transaction or rumor front for the rest of the division. The Cincinnati Reds (75-87), Pittsburgh Pirates (82-80) and St. Louis Cardinals (77-85) were all quiet, as the Central’s focus stays on Milwaukee and the first pitch of the World Series.